JP3884356B2 - Sorting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that can sort sorting objects such as fruits and vegetables for a plurality of sizes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an example of a sorting apparatus that sorts a sorting object such as a fruit for each of a plurality of sizes, there has been a configuration having the following configuration, for example.
[0003]
This forms a rectangular box frame-like machine frame extended in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right drive pulleys and driven pulleys are arranged on the front end and rear end of the machine frame, respectively. A pair of left and right long transport belts are wound between the drive pulley and the driven pulley so that the gap width formed between the left and right transport belts gradually increases from the front side to the rear side of the machine frame. In addition, a sorting chamber divided forward and backward was formed below the transport zone.
[0004]
In the conventional sorting apparatus, when the sorting objects are placed one by one on the upper part of the left and right transport belts one by one, the sorting objects are transported from the front side to the rear side of the machine frame by the transport belt. Then, at the point where the gap width between the left and right transport belts becomes wider than the size of the sorting object during transportation, the sorting object is dropped from the gap between the transportation belts into the sorting chamber partitioned forward and backward. Sorting objects are sorted for each of a plurality of sizes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-57468
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional sorting apparatus, since the sorting object is sorted while being transported only by the pair of left and right transport bands, one sorting object is placed on the upper part of the transport band, and at an interval. Since it had to be placed while opening, it took a long time for the sorting operation, and the efficiency of the sorting operation was not good. In order to improve the efficiency of the sorting operation, it may be possible to operate a plurality of sorting devices at the same time, but in that case, a large space is required to install a plurality of sorting devices. There was a problem.
[0007]
Moreover, in the conventional sorting apparatus, since the sorting object is transported using the long transport belt, the transport belt bends in the middle due to the weight of the sorting object, and thereby the left and right transport belts. The gap width between them sometimes widened. Therefore, if the gap width between the left and right transport belts is narrower than the size of the sorting object, the sorting object accidentally falls into the sorting chamber from the gap between the transport belts. Sorting is performed, and sorting accuracy may be reduced.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, endless transport belts wound between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, such as fruits and vegetables. The sorting object can be placed and transported, and the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object formed between the plurality of transport bands is set to a width at which the sorting object having a desired sorting size or less falls. A plurality of sorting conveyors having a parallel gap width for placing the sorting target object, which is gradually widened to a predetermined width, are sequentially connected in multiple stages, and a sorting object is placed in a plurality of stages. Selectable by sizeIn addition, a straightening wall that corrects the direction of the infarction in a predetermined direction is arranged between the transport zones.A sorting device characterized by the above is provided.
[0009]
  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the transport band is a round band having a circular shape in cross section..
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The sorting device according to the present invention forms a rectangular box frame-like machine frame extended in the front-rear direction, and is provided with a supply unit capable of accommodating a plurality of sorting objects at the front end of the machine frame. In addition, a sorting unit that sorts each size while conveying the sorting object behind the supply unit is arranged, and the sorting object sorted for each of the plurality of sizes by the sorting unit is provided below the sorting unit, respectively. A collection unit for collection is provided.
[0011]
The sorting unit forms a plurality of sorting conveyors that can sort the objects to be sorted into desired sizes, that is, different sizes such as S, M, L, and LL. The conveyor is configured by sequentially connecting in multiple stages from a sorting conveyor for sorting S-size sorting objects.
[0012]
  That is, an endless transport belt wound between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders is arranged in parallel at a plurality of intervals with a predetermined interval so that a selection object such as fruit or vegetable can be placed and transported. In addition, a sorting conveyor is configured by setting each parallel gap width for placing the sorting object formed between the plurality of transport bands to a width at which a sorting object having a desired sorting size or less falls. In addition, a plurality of sorting conveyors, which gradually increase the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object to a predetermined width, are sequentially connected in multiple stages so that the sorting object can be sorted by a plurality of sizes.In addition, a straightening wall that corrects the direction of the infarction in a predetermined direction is arranged between the transport zones.is doing.
[0013]
In this manner, each sorting conveyor constituting the sorting unit winds an endless conveyance band between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders, and the conveyance bands are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval. The sorting object can be placed in the gap formed between the transport belts, the transport belt can be circulated by rotating the rotating cylinder, and the sorting object placed on the transport belt can be transported. Yes. Accordingly, since the sorting conveyor has a plurality of gaps for placing and transporting the sorting object, a large number of sorting objects can be conveyed simultaneously.
[0014]
In addition, the sorting conveyor has a circular band whose cross-sectional shape is a circular shape, so that the contact area between the conveying band and the object to be sorted can be reduced. It is possible to keep the quality of the selection object from being damaged by touching and minimizing the quality.
[0015]
Further, as described above, the sorting unit is configured by sequentially connecting a plurality of sorting conveyors in which the parallel gap width for placing the sorting target object is gradually widened to a predetermined width in multiple stages.
[0016]
In order to vary the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object formed between the transport bands, for example, it can be configured by varying the number of transport bands in the sorting conveyor one by one.
[0017]
Then, when actually sorting the sorting object, the sorting object is supplied from the first-stage sorting conveyor having the smallest gap width formed between the transport bands.
[0018]
The sorting object supplied in this way is transported by a circulating transport belt. At this time, a sorting object having a size smaller than the width of the gap formed between the transport bands can pass through the gap. Dropped from the gap and sorted. On the other hand, since the sorting object larger than the gap width cannot pass through the gap, it is continuously conveyed by the conveying belt that circulates without being sorted, and is handed over to the next-stage sorting conveyor.
[0019]
Therefore, a separation object having a desired size (S, M, L, LL, etc.) falling below the gap formed between the transport belts in each sorting conveyor, that is, the parallel gap width for placing the separation object is dropped. By setting the width to be selected, the selection object having a size smaller than the parallel gap width for placing the selection object falls through the parallel gap for placing the selection object, falls from the transport band, and is selected. It will be.
[0020]
On the other hand, since the sorting object having a size larger than the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object cannot pass through the parallel gap for placing the sorting object, the transport belt that circulates without being sorted here. Are continuously transferred to the next-stage sorting conveyor, and sorted again at the second-stage sorting conveyor.
[0021]
That is, it is larger than the gap width of the first-stage sorting conveyor and larger than the gap width of the second-stage sorting conveyor due to the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object set on the second-stage sorting conveyor. However, the sorting object having a small size is dropped and sorted. The other sorting objects are subsequently conveyed and taken over to the next sorting conveyor.
[0022]
As described above, according to the sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment, the sorting object is repeated until the transportation on the last-stage sorting conveyor is finished while repeating the transportation and sorting in each of the sorting conveyors connected in multiple stages. Can be sorted into a plurality of sizes.
[0023]
Moreover, the sorting object sorted for each size by each sorting conveyor is delivered to the collection unit.
[0024]
The collection unit includes a chute unit provided for each sorting conveyor and a storage box disposed below each chute unit, and the selected sorting object is guided by the chute unit to the storage box. It is securely contained.
[0025]
In this way, the sorting objects sorted for each desired size by the parallel gaps for placing sorting objects in the sorting conveyors can be stored in the storage boxes provided for the respective sizes.
[0026]
Moreover, in the said structure, since the conveyance belt | wrap is wound around each conveyor for selection provided in multiple stages, a conveyance belt | band | zone may be short and it can prevent producing a bending in a conveyance belt | band | zone.
[0027]
In the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment described above, it can be suitably used for a spherical vegetable or fruit as a sorting object. For example, when sorting a sorting object having a bias in shape, such as a candy, etc. Instead of the sorting conveyor, it is preferable to use a sorting conveyor in which the conveying speeds of the pair of conveying bands forming the parallel gap for placing the sorting object are different from each other.
[0028]
In other words, by making the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts forming the parallel gap for placing the sorting object different from each other, it is possible to correct the placement posture of the sorting object to be conveyed, and the sorting object and the sorting object Since the positional relationship with the parallel gap for placing objects can be changed in various ways, the sorting positions of the sorting objects to be sorted by the parallel gap for placing the sorting objects are made equal for all the sorting objects. This makes it possible to select with high accuracy.
[0029]
  Also,In this embodiment, because a sorting conveyor is used in which a correction wall is disposed between a pair of transport bands that form a parallel gap for placing a sorting object in order to correct the orientation of the fruit bean in a predetermined direction.When sorting objects that have fruit stems like cherriesIt is suitable for.
[0030]
When such a sorting conveyor is used, when the sorting object is transported, the direction of the curd of the sorting object is limited by the correction wall width by being restricted by the correction wall, It is not sandwiched between the transport belts and hangs down between the parallel gaps for placing the sorting object by gravity.
[0031]
Therefore, it is possible to prevent pinch of the sorting object from being sandwiched between the transport belts, and to prevent the sorting of the picking object's buckwheat from hindering sorting and preventing accurate sorting. In addition to enabling sorting, it is possible to prevent the fruit curd from being removed from the sorting object and maintain the commercial value of the sorting object at a high level.
[0032]
【Example】
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sorting apparatus A according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0033]
1 is a plan view of the sorting apparatus A, FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof.
[0034]
The sorting apparatus A can supply a large number of sorting objects B at one side end (right side end in FIG. 1) of a rectangular box frame-like machine frame 1 extended in the front-rear direction. 2 is disposed. As the selection object B, it is set as a spherical fruit and vegetables, such as a plum, a tomato, a mandarin orange, and a kumquat.
[0035]
In the machine frame 1, a sorting unit 3 that sorts the sorting target B into a plurality of sizes while being transported is disposed, and the sorting target B sorted by the sorting unit 3 is disposed below the sorting unit 3. A collection unit 4 for collecting each of a plurality of sizes is provided.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2, the machine casing 1 is provided with casters 16 at the four corners on the lower surface of the machine casing 1 so as to be movable as appropriate.
[0037]
The supply unit 2 is composed of a box 13 connected to one end of the machine frame 1, and the box 13 forms the bottom wall 5 on an inclined surface having a front, a rear, and a height, and the upper and machine frames 1. The side is opened, and the opening is connected to the sorting unit 3 in communication.
[0038]
The sorting unit 3 includes a transport sorting mechanism 6 that sorts the sorting object B into a predetermined size while transporting the sorting target B, and a drive mechanism 7 that drives the transport sorting mechanism 6.
[0039]
The transport sorting mechanism 6 includes four sorting conveyors 6a to 6d that can sort the sorting object B into desired sizes, that is, different sizes such as S, M, L, and LL. The four sorting conveyors 6a to 6d are sequentially connected in multiple stages from the sorting conveyor 6a that sorts the smallest S-size sorting object B to the sorting conveyor 6d that sorts the largest LL-sized sorting object B. Is configured.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 3, each of the sorting conveyors 6 a to 6 d rotatably supports the rotation shaft 8 of the three rotating cylinders 9 on the upper stage and two on the lower stage between the left and right sides of the machine frame 1. A plurality of endless transport bands 10 are wound between the five rotating cylinders 9, and the transport bands 10 are arranged on the rotating cylinders 9 in parallel at a predetermined interval from side to side. Here, among the rotating cylinders 9 arranged in the lower stage, the rotating cylinder 9 arranged on the supply unit 2 side is configured as a tension adjusting cylinder so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and when tension is applied to the transport belt 10 Is configured to give the transport belt 10 appropriate tension by moving the rotating cylinder 9 as the tension adjusting cylinder in the forward direction. Therefore, even if the weight of the sorting object B is applied to the transport band 10, the distance formed between the transport bands 10 can always be kept constant so that the transport band 10 does not bend. When the sorting apparatus A is not used, it is preferable to loosen the transport band 10. In the present embodiment, the transport belt 10 is inclined in an upward gradient with respect to the transport direction of the selection object B, but may be disposed horizontally.
[0041]
Further, each of the transport bands 10 is a round band having a circular cross section, and the transport band 10 is engaged with a groove portion 12 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder 9 with a predetermined interval left and right.
[0042]
Then, the transport sorting mechanism 6 moves from the sorting conveyor 6a in which ten transport bands 10 are wound around the rotating cylinder 9 to the sorting conveyor 6d in which seven transport bands 10 are wound around the rotating cylinder 9. The number of 10 is reduced one by one, and the gap width between the transport belts 10 in each of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d is made different.
[0043]
In other words, the transport and sorting mechanism 6 makes the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object formed between the transport belts 10 different from each other by changing the number of the transport belts 10 provided in the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d. The sorting object B is sorted into four stages of S, M, L, and LL of different sizes by sequentially connecting four stages from a sorting conveyor 6a having a narrow parallel gap width to a wide sorting conveyor 6d. It is possible.
[0044]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive mechanism 7 for driving the sorting conveyors 6 a to 6 d has a motor 14 attached to the lower right corner of the rear end of the machine frame 1, and each sorting conveyor is attached to the motor 14. 6a-6d are interlockingly connected via transmission mechanisms 15a-15d.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission mechanisms 15a to 15d in the present embodiment are arranged on the right side of the machine casing 1 and rotate the three rotating cylinders 9 provided on the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d. A driven sprocket 17 is attached to the shaft 8, and a chain 19 is suspended on the driven sprocket 17. In the figure, 18 is a tension sprocket.
[0046]
A chain 19 provided on the fourth-stage sorting conveyor 6d is suspended from the drive sprocket 20 of the motor 14, and the motor 14 and the fourth-stage sorting conveyor 6d are linked to each other.
[0047]
The chain 19 provided on the third stage sorting conveyor 6c is suspended from the driven sprocket 17 provided at the end of the fourth stage sorting conveyor 6d, and the third stage sorting conveyor 6c and the fourth stage sorting conveyor 6c are suspended. The sorting conveyor 6d is linked and connected. Further, in the same way, in the sorting conveyors 6c, 6b, 6a in the third, second, and first stages, the transmission mechanisms 15c, 15b, The chain 19 of 15a is suspended, and the driving force of one motor 14 can be transmitted to the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d.
[0048]
With this configuration, the sorting unit 3 including the sorting conveyors 6 a to 6 d is driven by the motor 14 so that the transport belt 10 circulates and is placed in a gap formed between the transport belts 10. While carrying B, it is possible to sort by size.
[0049]
Further, as shown in the drawing, the collection unit 4 arranges the storage box mounting table 23 on the left side of the machine casing 1 and stores the sorting object B on the upper side of the storage box mounting table 23 for each size. The storage box 21 is placed with an interval in the front-rear direction. That is, the front four storage boxes 21 and the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d are connected to each other via the shooter 22, and the rearmost storage box 21 and the terminal portion of the fourth-stage sorting conveyor 6d are connected to the shooter. It is connected through -22 '.
[0050]
The shooter 22 is formed in a substantially funnel shape as a whole, and the bottom wall 24 is inclined downwardly from the right side surface of the machine frame 1 toward the left side surface, and a cushion body 27 is laid on the bottom wall 24. In addition, the sorting object B is prevented from being damaged by an impact or the like.
[0051]
The sorting device A is configured as described above, and a case where the sorting object B is actually sorted using the sorting device A will be described.
[0052]
First, a large number of sorting objects B are accommodated in the supply unit 2. Since the bottom wall 5 of the supply unit 2 is inclined toward the sorting unit 3, the sorting object B is placed between the feeding unit 2 and the first-stage sorting conveyor 6 a of the sorting unit 3, that is, between the transport belts 10. The formed gap is continuously guided to the sorting conveyor 6a.
[0053]
The sorting object B supplied to the sorting conveyor 6a is transported toward the next-stage sorting conveyor 6b by the transport band 10, but the size is smaller than the gap width formed between the transport bands 10. The sorting object B is sorted by falling through the gap.
[0054]
That is, if the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object is formed by setting the gap formed between the transport belts 10 of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d to a desired sorting size, the transport is performed by the transport belt 10. Among the sorting objects B to be sorted, the sorting object B having a size smaller than the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object falls from the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object. The sorting object B having a size larger than the width of the placing parallel gap 11 is transported without dropping from the sorting object placing parallel gap 11. Here, the S-size sorting object B is first sorted.
[0055]
The sorting object B transported to the next sorting conveyors 6b to 6d without dropping from the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object in the preceding sorting conveyors 6a to 6c is the preceding sorting conveyor. Further sorting is performed by the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object further wider than the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object in 6a to 6c.
[0056]
As described above, the sorting apparatus A repeatedly performs the transportation and sorting by the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d connected in four stages, so that the sorting and transportation of the fourth stage sorting conveyor 6d is completed. The object B can be selected for each of four sizes of S, M, L, and LL.
[0057]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sorting object B conveyed by the fourth sorting conveyor 6d, that is, the size that has not been sorted by the linked sorting conveyors 6a to 6d is set to the largest XL size. It is made to guide to the storage box 21 by a shooter 22 ′ continuous from the rear of the stage sorting conveyor 6 d to the storage box 21.
[0058]
In this way, the sorting object B sorted for each size by dropping from the sorting object placement parallel gap 11 on each sorting conveyor 6a to 6d becomes the sorting object placement parallel gap 11. Guided by the shooter 22 formed in a funnel shape below, the sorting object B can be quickly collected in the storage box 21.
[0059]
At this time, since the cushion body 27 is laid on the bottom wall 24, the sorting object B is prevented from colliding with the bottom wall 24 and being damaged.
[0060]
Thus, each of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d is provided with a shooter 22 that guides the sorting object B sorted by dropping from the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object to the predetermined storage box 21. Therefore, the sorting object B sorted for each desired size by the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d can be stored in the predetermined storage box 21 as it is.
[0061]
As described above, the sorting objects B sorted by the parallel gaps 11 for placing the sorting objects in the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d are accommodated in the respective storage boxes 21 and thus have various sizes. The sorting object B can be sorted and collected for each of a plurality of sizes. That is, the S-size sorting object B is sorted by the first-stage sorting conveyor 6a, the M-size sorting object B is sorted by the second-stage sorting conveyor 6b, and the third-stage sorting conveyor 6c. The sorting object B of L size is sorted by, the sorting object B of LL size is sorted by the fourth stage sorting conveyor 6d, and further, the sorting object not sorted by the fourth stage sorting conveyor 6d. Object B is sorted into XL size.
[0062]
Here, if a case made of cardboard or the like for packing products is used as the storage box 21, it can be shipped immediately after collection.
[0063]
As described above, in the sorting apparatus A according to the present embodiment, the sorting unit 3 that can sort the sorting object B for each of a plurality of sizes is wound between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders 9. A plurality of endless transport belts 10 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and the width of each parallel gap 11 for placing a selection object formed between the plurality of transport belts 10 is set respectively. Each of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d is configured with a desired sorting size, that is, a width in which a sorting object B having a size of S, M, L, or LL or less falls, and the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d are configured. Since 6d is sequentially connected in multiple stages, the sorting object B is conveyed by the conveying belt 10 in each of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d, and the size is smaller than the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object. For sorting object B for placing sorting object The sorting object B is sorted by dropping from the parallel gap 11, and the sorting object B having a size larger than the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object is conveyed as it is without being dropped, and the next-stage sorting conveyors 6b to 6d. , The sorting object B is sorted for each of a plurality of sizes by repeatedly selecting and transporting by the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object set on the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d. be able to.
[0064]
By the way, the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d of the sorting apparatus A according to the present embodiment, as described above, are arranged in parallel with a plurality of strips with the transport band 10 held at a predetermined interval. A plurality of gaps for carrying and sorting are formed, whereby a plurality of sorting objects B can be carried and sorted at the same time, so that the time required for sorting work can be shortened.
[0065]
Further, since the transport belt 10 is a round belt, the contact area between the transport belt 10 and the sorting object B is reduced, and the damage of the sorting object B due to the contact between the transport belt 10 and the sorting object B can be prevented. it can.
[0066]
Moreover, since the transport band 10 is engaged with the groove portion 12 formed in the rotary cylinder 9, the rotation position of the transport band 10 can be fixed, and the object to be placed on the sorting object formed between the transport bands 10 can be fixed. The parallel gap 11 can always be kept constant, and stable and highly accurate sorting can be performed.
[0067]
The sorting object B can be sorted according to a desired size by changing the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object formed between the transport belts 10 of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d. it can. Further, the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object can be easily set according to the size of the sorting object B, and the sorting object B having various sizes can be sorted. . Furthermore, it is possible to freely set the number of sorting sizes to be sorted by increasing or decreasing the number of sorting conveyors to be connected.
[0068]
(Reference example)
  FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view of the sorting conveyor 51a for the sorting object B2 having a bias, and the sorting device according to the present invention.Reference exampleIndicates.
[0069]
The sorting conveyor 51a is capable of sorting a selection object B2 having a bias in shape such as a basket into a plurality of sizes, and a plurality of selection objects B2 having a bias in shape such as a basket. Is used instead of the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d of the sorting apparatus A according to the first embodiment.
[0070]
  In addition,Reference exampleThe sorting conveyor 51a according to the present invention and the sorting conveyors 6a to 6d according to the first embodiment described above have substantially the same basic configuration, and the configuration of the transmission mechanism 15a and the rotating cylinder 9 in the sorting conveyor 6a. However, only the configuration of the transmission mechanism 52a and the rotating cylinder 53 of the sorting conveyor 51a will be described below, and the rest will be omitted.
[0071]
  As shown in the drawing, the transmission mechanism 52a of the sorting conveyor 51a isPreviousInstead of the driven sprocket 17 disposed on the start end side and the end end side of the sorting conveyor 6a described in the embodiment, a sprocket 55 having a large number of teeth and a sprocket 56 having a small number of teeth are mounted in an opposing state, and the number of teeth is the same. A chain 57 is suspended between a sprocket 55 having a large number of teeth and a sprocket 56 having a small number of teeth. The chain 57 is driven by the motor 14 as in the first embodiment.
[0072]
Therefore, the rotating shaft 54 to which the sprocket 55 with a large number of teeth is mounted rotates at a low speed, and the rotating shaft 54 to which a sprocket 56 with a small number of teeth is mounted rotates at a high speed.
[0073]
A rotating cylinder 53 is coaxially mounted on a rotating shaft 54 on which a sprocket 55 having a large number of teeth is mounted. The rotating cylinder 53 alternately connects a driven pulley 59 and a driving pulley 58 to the conveying belt 10. The number is alternately arranged. That is, a total of ten pulleys are alternately arranged to form the rotating cylinder 53.
[0074]
On the other hand, on the rotating shaft 54 to which the sprocket 56 having a small number of teeth is mounted, the driving pulley 58 and the driven pulley are opposite to the arrangement order of the driven pulley 59 and the driving pulley 58 mounted on the sprocket 55 having the large number of teeth. The rotating cylinders 53 in which 59 are alternately arranged by the number of the transport belts 10 are mounted.
[0075]
A plurality of transport bands 10 wound endlessly are attached between the drive pulleys 58 and the driven pulleys 59 between the opposed rotating cylinders 53 and 53.
[0076]
At this time, the groove portion 12 is formed in a substantially semicircular arc shape on the peripheral surfaces of the driving pulley 58 and the driven pulley 59, and the conveyance belt 10 is inserted into the groove portion 12 and wound, so that the adjacent conveyance belts 10 can be wound. The formed parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object can be kept constant, and the sorting function with high accuracy can be exhibited stably.
[0077]
As described above, the rotary cylinders 53 and 53 having different rotation speeds are provided to face each other in the sorting conveyor 6a, and the driving pulley 58 and the driven pulley 59 are mounted alternately and in reverse order on both the rotary cylinders 53 and 53. In addition, since the transport belt 10 is wound around each of the plurality of driving pulleys 58 and driven pulleys 59 that face each other, the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts 10 that form the parallel gaps 11 for placing the sorting object are set to each other. Can be different.
[0078]
Therefore, when the sorting object B2 such as a basket is actually supplied to the sorting conveyor 51a, the sorting object B2 is transported by the circulating transport belt 10, but forms a parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object. Since the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts 10 are different from each other, as shown in the figure, the sorting object B2 is transported while constantly changing the mounting posture.
[0079]
The sorting object B2 having a size smaller than the width of the sorting object placement parallel gap 11 formed between the transport bands 10 is parallel for placement of the sorting object when the posture is adjusted during transportation. It falls through the gap 11 and is sorted. At this time, since the sorting object B2 always changes the mounting posture, the sorting object B2 is selected from the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object in various mounting postures. The positions can be made equal. Therefore, even if the shape is biased, such as a bag, accurate sorting can be performed and sorting accuracy can be improved.
[0080]
On the other hand, since the sorting object B2 having a size larger than the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object cannot pass through the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object, the sorting object B2 is continuously transported by the transport belt 10 without being sorted. Then, it is handed over to the next-stage sorting conveyor 51a in which the width of the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object is varied, and the sorting is sequentially performed for each size.
[0081]
When such a sorting conveyor 51a is used, it is possible to sort a sorting object B2 having a biased shape such as straw or bell pepper with high sorting accuracy and simultaneously sort a large number of sorting objects B2. As a result, the sorting efficiency can be improved.
[0082]
  In addition,referenceIn the example, the rotational motion of one motor 14 is transmitted to two types of sprockets 55 and 56, that is, a sprocket 55 having a large number of teeth and a sprocket 56 having a small number of teeth, and the predetermined rotational shaft 54 is rotated at different rotational speeds. The case where the adjacent transport belts 10 rotate at different speeds by transmitting the motion and alternately arranging the drive pulley 58 and the driven pulley 59 has been described. In addition to the above-described methods, various methods can be considered.
[0083]
Here, a modified example of the sorting conveyor 6 in which the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts 10 forming the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object are different from each other will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a sorting conveyor 51′a for the sorting object B2 having a bias.
[0084]
  Note that the sorting conveyor 51'a and the sorting conveyor 6a of the sorting apparatus A according to the above-described embodiment have basically the same structure, and only the main part will be described here.
[0085]
As shown in the figure, each rotating cylinder 53 ′ arranged in an opposed state is provided with a large-diameter driving pulley 70 and a small-diameter pulley 71 having a slightly smaller diameter than the large-diameter pulley 70. They are arranged alternately so that there are only 10 pieces, that is, 10 pieces in total.
[0086]
Then, a substantially arc-shaped groove portion 12 is formed on the peripheral surfaces of the large-diameter pulley 70 and the small-diameter pulley 71, and the conveying band 10 is formed in the groove portions 12 between the large-diameter driving pulleys 70 and the small-diameter driving pulleys 71. Is wound endlessly.
[0087]
Accordingly, when the driving force is transmitted from the motor 14 via the chain 19, the transport band 10 wound around the large-diameter drive pulley 70 rotates slowly and the transport band 10 wound around the small-diameter drive pulley 71. Rotates quickly, and the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts 10 forming the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object can be made different from each other.
[0088]
Furthermore, as another example in which the transport speeds of the pair of transport belts 10 forming the parallel gap 11 for placing the sorting object are different from each other, although not shown, for example, a gear speed change mechanism is added to the motor 14 for shifting. A method is also conceivable in which the rotated rotation is made and the rotation of the same speed and the rotation of the motor 14 are alternately transmitted to the rotation shaft 54.
[0089]
Alternatively, a method is also conceivable in which two motors having different rotation speeds are used to transmit different rotations of the rotation shaft 54 alternately.
[0090]
(Characteristic composition)
  Where the bookExampleHas a characteristic configuration ofThe sorting device A3 will be described. The sorting device A3 is capable of sorting the sorting object B3 having the fruit stem C such as cherries for each of a plurality of sizes without damaging or dropping the fruit stem C.
[0092]
  FIG. 6 is for B3 for a selection object having fruit stem CSelectionFIG. 7 is a plan view of another apparatus A3, and FIG.
[0093]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sorting apparatus A <b> 3 forms a machine frame 80 by connecting three frame bodies having different heights in a stepped manner.
[0094]
And the supply part 81 which can accommodate many sort object B3 in the end of the frame which becomes the tallest is connected.
[0095]
In the machine casing 80, a sorting unit 82 that sorts the sorting target B3 into a plurality of sizes while being transported is arranged, and a collection unit 83 is arranged below the sorting unit 82. Reference numerals 78 denote casters attached to the four corners of the lower surface of the machine frame 80.
[0096]
The supply unit 81 is composed of a box 79 connected to one side end of the machine frame 80. The box 79 has a bottom wall 84 formed on an inclined surface having a front, a rear and a height, and an upper and a machine frame. The 80 side is opened, and the opening is connected to the sorting portion 82 in communication.
[0097]
The sorting unit 82 includes a transport sorting mechanism 85 that sorts the sorting object B3 into a predetermined size while transporting the sorting object B3, and a drive mechanism 86 that drives the transport sorting mechanism 85.
[0098]
The transport sorting mechanism 85 in this embodiment includes three sorting conveyors 85a to 85c that can sort the sorting object B3 for each desired size, for example, different sizes of S, M, and L. It is connected in multiple stages.
[0099]
In other words, the sorting conveyor 85a for sorting the S-size sorting object B3 is connected to the supply unit 81, and the sorting conveyor 85b for sorting the M-size sorting object B3 is arranged in the middle of the machine frame 80. The sorting conveyor 85c for sorting the L-size sorting object B3 is disposed in the lower stage of the machine frame 80, and the connecting portion between the terminal end of the sorting conveyor 85a and the starting end of the sorting conveyor 85b, and The connecting portion between the end portion of the sorting conveyor 85b and the starting end portion of the sorting conveyor 85c is successively connected in a staircase pattern so as to overlap each other.
[0100]
  The structure of the sorting conveyors 85a to 85c in the transport sorting mechanism 85 that sorts the sorting object B3 by size is described above.LikeFurther, the width of the parallel gap 90 for placing the sorting object formed between the transport bands 88 is made different, and the sorting object B3 having a size smaller than the gap width is made to pass through the gap to be sorted. Yes. Also in this embodiment, the conveyance band 88 is a round band having a circular cross section, and the conveyance band 88 is formed in the groove portion 100 which is engraved in a substantially semicircular arc shape with a space left and right on the circumferential surface of the rotating cylinder 87. I am engaged and wound.
[0101]
The sorting conveyors 85a and 85b in the present embodiment rotatably support the rotating shaft 92 of the rotating cylinder 87 between the left and right sides of the machine frame 80 at the upper stage and one at the lower stage. The conveying band 88 is wound endlessly between the rotating cylinders 87, and the conveying band 88 is parallel to the rotating cylinder 87 with a predetermined number (six in this embodiment) parallel to the left and right. A lane 89 is formed by arranging two adjacent transport bands 88 as a pair. Here, the lower rotary cylinder 87 is configured as a tension adjusting cylinder that is movable in the vertical direction. When tension is applied to the transport band 88, the rotary cylinder 87 as the tension adjusting cylinder is used as the tension adjusting cylinder. An appropriate tension is applied to the transport band 88 by moving it downward. Therefore, even if the weight of the sorting object B3 is added to the transport band 88, the transport band 88 is not bent and the interval formed between the transport bands 88 is always kept constant. In this case as well, it is preferable to loosen the transport band 88 when the sorting apparatus A is not used.
[0102]
In addition, the sorting conveyor 85c has two rotating cylinders 87 arranged in the upper stage between the left and right side portions of the machine frame 80, similar to the sorting conveyors 85a and 85b, but not in the lower stage. Two rotating cylinders 87 are provided so that a storage box 98 (to be described later) of the collection unit 83 can be easily arranged even with the shortest frame. Then, one of the two rotary cylinders 87 arranged in the lower stage can be moved in the front-rear direction as a tension adjusting rotary body, and here again, the interval formed between the transport bands 88 is always kept constant. I have to. In this case as well, it is preferable to loosen the transport band 88 when the sorting apparatus A is not used.
[0103]
The lanes 89 are made independent between the lanes 89, and a first correction wall 91 and a second correction wall 91 'for correcting the orientation of the infarction C of the selection object B3 are disposed.
[0104]
The first straightening wall 91 which is a characteristic configuration in the present embodiment is continuous from the start end to the end of the lane 89, and the second straightening wall 91 ′ is a conveyor for sorting as shown in FIG. 85a and the sorting conveyor 85b, and the connecting portions of the sorting conveyor 85b and the sorting conveyor 85c are provided so as to straddle two rotating cylinders 87 arranged in an overlapping manner in the vertical direction.
[0105]
With this configuration, the sorting object B3 on the sorting conveyor 85a is conveyed toward the next-stage sorting conveyor 85b by the transporting band 88, and the inflection C that tends to be in various directions is the first correction. The wall 91 restricts the width of the wall 91, and most of the paper is conveyed in a stable downward state by gravity.
[0106]
Therefore, the infarction C of the selection object B3 does not interfere with the selection and does not prevent the accurate selection, enables stable and highly accurate selection, and the infarction C is in contact with the transport band 88. It is possible to prevent the fallen stem C from falling off. Therefore, the commercial value of the cherry that is the selection object B3 is not impaired.
[0107]
Here, another configuration of the sorting apparatus A3 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.
[0108]
  The basic configuration isWhat has been described aboveThe drive mechanism 86 includes a motor 93 attached to the lower right end of the upper end of the machine frame 80, and a transmission mechanism that is linked to the motor 93 and provided for each of the sorting conveyors 85a to 85c. Become. Reference numeral 97 denotes a chain that constitutes a part of the transmission mechanism, and is wound between the motor 93 and a driven sprocket (not shown) connected to the rotary cylinder 87.
[0109]
The collection unit 83 guides the three storage boxes 98 arranged in the substantially central portion of the rotating cylinder 87 in each of the sorting conveyors 85a to 85c, and the sorting object B3 sorted in the three containing boxes 98. It is composed of a funnel-shaped shooter 99. Further, a storage box 98 for storing the maximum size sorting object B3 is separately provided below the end of the sorting conveyor 85c.
[0110]
The sorting apparatus A3 is configured as described above, and the actual operation will be described as follows.
[0111]
First, a large number of sorting objects B <b> 3 having fruit stems C are accommodated in the supply unit 81. Since the bottom wall 84 of the supply unit 81 is inclined toward the sorting unit 82, the sorting object B3 has a gap formed between the first-stage sorting conveyor 85a of the sorting unit 82, that is, the transport belt 10. It is continuously supplied to the narrowest sorting conveyor 85a one after another.
[0112]
The sorting object B3 supplied to the sorting conveyor 85a is transported on the lane 89 while the orientation of the curd C is corrected by the first correction wall 91 described above. In other words, since the fruit stem C is constrained within the width of the first correction wall 91, the fruit stem C of the selection object B3 is transported between the transport belts 88 and in a state in which most is downward due to gravity.
[0113]
Therefore, there is no possibility that the curd C of the sorting object B3 is sandwiched between the transport belts 88 and hinders sorting, and the curb C is prevented from being removed from the sorting object B3, and the commercial value of the sorting object B3. Can be kept high.
[0114]
The sorting object B3 having a size smaller than the gap formed between the transport bands 88 is sorted by falling through the gap.
[0115]
On the other hand, the sorting object B3 having a size larger than the parallel gap 90 width for placing the sorting object cannot pass through the parallel gap 90 for placing the sorting object. 85a and 85c are taken over.
[0116]
At this time, the sorting conveyors 85a to 85c are connected in a stepped manner, and the second correction wall 91 'is provided at the connecting portion. Since the orientation of C is maintained in the corrected state, the orientation of the infarction C is corrected at the correction wall 91 even at the time of takeover, and the downward direction between the transport belts 88 is also set in the next-stage sorting conveyors 85b and 85c. It is conveyed in the state.
[0117]
Therefore, in the next-stage sorting conveyors 85b and 85c, the curd C can be accurately sorted without causing the curb C to get in the way, and the curb C may drop off and reduce the commercial value. Absent.
[0118]
As described above, the sorting apparatus A3 according to the present embodiment repeatedly carries and sorts the sorting conveyors 85a to 85c connected in three stages, thereby completing the transportation and sorting of the third stage sorting conveyor 85c. Until then, the sorting object B3 can be sorted for each of three sizes of S, M, and L. In addition, the selection object B3 having a size that has been transported to the end of the lane 89 without being selected by the third-stage selection conveyor 85c is disposed below the end of the lane 89 as the largest LL size. It is collected in the storage box 98.
[0119]
【The invention's effect】
The invention is carried out in the above-described form and has the following effects.
[0120]
(1) According to the present invention described in claim 1, fruits and vegetables are arranged in parallel with a plurality of endless transport bands wound between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders at predetermined intervals. The width at which a sorting object falling below a desired sorting size falls within each parallel gap width for placing the sorting object formed between the plurality of transport bands. In addition, a sorting conveyor is configured, and a plurality of sorting conveyors that are gradually widened to a predetermined width of the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object are sequentially connected in multiple stages.Furthermore, since the correction walls for correcting the orientation of the fruit flesh in a predetermined direction are arranged between the plurality of transport bands, when the sorting object is transported, the curd of the sorting object is caused by the correction wall, Since the orientation of the curd is constrained within the width of the correction wall, the curd of the selection target is almost always transported in a stable downward state between the transport bands due to gravity, and the curd of the selection target hits the transport band. Sorting objects that interfere with sorting due to contact and prevent accurate sorting, enable stable and accurate sorting, and prevent picking from sorting objects. The product value of can be kept high.
[0121]
  Also,Sorting objects are dropped by dropping the sorting object smaller than the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object through the parallel gap for placing the sorting object while the sorting object is transported by the transport belt in each sorting conveyor. can do.
[0122]
On the other hand, a sorting object having a size larger than the parallel gap width for placing the sorting object is transported as it is without dropping, is taken over by the next-stage sorting conveyor, and is repeatedly transported and sorted. It is possible to select with high accuracy for each of a plurality of sizes.
[0123]
In addition, since a plurality of strips are arranged in parallel while maintaining a predetermined interval, it is possible to transport a large number of sorting objects at the same time and increase the efficiency of sorting the sorting objects. Therefore, there is an effect that many sorting objects can be sorted into a plurality of sizes in a short time.
Moreover, since the transport belt is wound for each sorting conveyor provided in multiple stages, the transport belt may be short and it is possible to prevent the transport belt from being bent.
[0126]
(2) Claim 2According to the described invention, since the transport band is a round belt having a circular shape in cross section, the sorting object can be placed and transported by the two transport bands and formed between the two transport bands. The sorting object can be sorted by size using the parallel gap for placing the sorting object. Moreover, when the sorting object is transported / sorted, the sorting object is supported by the round shape of the transport band in addition to placing and transporting the sorting object in two transport bands. It is possible to keep the commercial value of the sorting object high without minimizing the contact area and causing scratches on the sorting object.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of one embodiment of the sorting apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a sorting conveyor for sorting objects having a bias.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a sorting conveyor for sorting objects having a bias.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus for sorting objects having a bellflower.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory front view of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus for sorting objects having fruit stems.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Sorting device
A3 sorter
B Sorting object
B2 Sorting object
B3 Sorting object
C
1 Machine frame
2 Supply section
3 sorting section
4 collection department
6 Transport sorting mechanism
7 Drive mechanism
10 Transport belt
11 Parallel gap for placing sorting object
21 containment box
22 Shooter

Claims (2)

While arranging an endless conveyance belt wound between a pair of opposed rotating cylinders in parallel with a plurality of strips at a predetermined interval, it is possible to place and convey selection objects such as fruits and vegetables, The parallel gap width for placing the sorting object formed between the plurality of transport bands is set to a width at which the sorting object having a desired sorting size or less falls to form a sorting conveyor, and A plurality of sorting conveyors, each of which has a parallel gap width for placing a sorting object gradually widened to a predetermined width, are sequentially connected in multiple stages so that the sorting object can be sorted into a plurality of sizes , and moreover, a plurality of transports A sorting apparatus characterized in that a correction wall for correcting the direction of the infarction in a predetermined direction is disposed between the bands . The sorting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transport band is a round band having a circular shape in cross section .

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