JP4508379B2

JP4508379B2 - Leek measuring device

Info

Publication number: JP4508379B2
Application number: JP2000252082A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 久典宮田; 行満小西; 浩昭武田; 源太郎掛水
Original assignee: エスアイ精工株式会社
Priority date: 2000-08-23
Filing date: 2000-08-23
Publication date: 2010-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-23
Also published as: JP2002062126A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、ネギの所定項目を計測するときに用いられるネギ計測装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、上述例のネギを選別する装置としては、例えば長尺のネギを、選別コンベアを構成する把持機構のＹ字治具で支持して搬送し、ネギの表面側を上側搬送路に設けたカメラで撮像する。Ｙ字治具で支持されたネギをハンドで保持して下側搬送路に周回移動すると共に、そのカメラで撮像した画像情報に基づいてネギの所定項目を判定し、判定と対応する位置にネギが移動したとき、ハンドによる保持を解除して、ネギを項目別に仕分け処理する装置（特開２０００−２０２３７３号公報）がある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上述の装置は、ネギ全長を２個のＹ字治具により点で支持するので、ネギの重心がＹ字治具の支点よりも低くなり、姿勢が安定する筈であるが、ハンドによる保持動作が完了するまで又は保持位置に移動するまでに、選別コンベア自体が発生する振動によりネギの重心が前後に揺動し、ネギの向きが変位することがあるため、計測時に於て、ネギの表裏両面を重複して計測したり、未計測部分が残ったりする等して、正確な計測情報が得られず、選別ミスが多発しやすいという問題点を有している。
【０００４】
この発明は上記問題に鑑み、ネギを載置部の略水平載置面に載置して、該ネギを保持手段で保持したまま周回移動して表裏反転するので、ネギ全体の正確な計測情報が得られ、仕分け精度の向上を図ることができるネギ計測装置の提供を目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の発明は、搬送コンベアにより搬送されるネギの所定項目を計測するネギ計測装置であって、上記搬送コンベアに、上記ネギが送り方向に対して略水平に載置される形状に形成した載置面を有し、上記ネギを送り方向に対して所定間隔に隔てて載置するとともに、上記ネギの葉部を外方に突出させて載置する載置部を設け、上記載置部に設けられ、上記載置面に載置されたネギを抱え込む状態に保持する閉角度と、その保持が解除される開角度とに回動するアームを有し、該載置部に載置されたネギを少なくとも搬送コンベアの下側搬送路に於て保持する保持手段を設け、上記搬送コンベアの上側搬送路に、該搬送コンベアに載置されたネギの表面側を計測する表側計測手段を設け、上記搬送コンベアの下側搬送路に、上記表裏反転されたネギの裏面側葉部を上方から計測する裏側計測手段を設けたネギ計測装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００６】
【作用及び効果】
この発明によれば、ネギを、搬送コンベアを構成する載置部の略水平載置面に載置して搬送するので、湾曲する殆どのネギが載置面に沿った状態に載置され、ネギの向き及び重心が安定するため、正確な計測情報が得られる。
【０００７】
しかも、載置部に載置されたネギを、保持手段で保持したまま下側搬送路に周回移動して表裏反転するので、ネギの表裏両面を正確に計測することができ、項目別に仕分けする作業が適確且つ確実に行える。
【０００８】
【実施例】
この発明の一実施例を以下図面に基づいて詳述する。
【０００９】
図面は長尺物の一例であるネギの所定項目を計測する作業に用いられるネギ計測装置を示し、図１及び図２に於いて、このネギ計測装置１は、例えば抽苔ネギ等の長尺のネギＡを、仕分けコンベア２を構成する載置台１４…に載置して搬送する。上側搬送路の切除部ａに配設した不要部切除装置３はネギＡの不要部を切除し、切除部ａ後段の糖酸度計測部ｂに配設した糖酸度計測装置４はネギＡの糖酸度を計測し、糖酸度計測部ｂ後段の重量計測部ｃに配設した重量計測装置５はネギＡの重量を計測し、重量計測部ｃ後段の等階級計測部ｄに配設した上下の等階級計測装置６はネギＡの等階級を計測する。装置４，５，６を接続した装置本体７は、上述の計測情報に基づいてネギＡの所定項目を個々に判定し、下側搬送路の仕分け部ｅ…に配設した分配コンベア８に対して項目別に供給する。
【００１０】
上述の送りコンベア２は、図３〜図７にも示すように、ブラケット１１を、搬送路両側部に張架した周回チェーン１０間に架設すると共に、周回チェーン１０全長に対して所定間隔に隔てて架設している。且つ、ブラケット１１の後端側上部に軸架した支軸１２と、載置台１４下面に固定した支持部１３の前端側とを上下動可能（フリー状態）に連結（フロート式）して、多数又は複数の載置台１４を送り方向に対して所定間隔に隔てて架設すると共に、周回チェーン１０を、減速機付きモータ（図中仮想線で示す）により送り方向に回転して、載置台１４…を送り方向に対して一定速度で周回移動する。
【００１１】
且つ、載置台１４は、側面から見て略台形状又は略Ｖ字状に形成され、ネギＡが載置される中央部載置面１４ａを送り方向に対して略水平となる平面形状に形成すると共に、中央部載置面１４ａから前後部載置面に向けて徐々に高くなる角度に傾斜している。また、載置面に、例えばウレタンゴム、スポンジゴム等の柔軟性を有する部材を敷設したり、その載置面を、例えば網体や枠体等で構成してもよい。加えて、ネギに応じて、載置台１４の大きさや形状、間隔、送り速度を変更してもよい。
【００１２】
一方、支持部１３の下端側前後縁部に、複数の支持ローラ１５を送り方向に対してフリー回転可能に軸受し、送り方向に対して載置台１４の右側端部に、一対のアーム１６を、載置台１４に載置されるネギＡの葉部Ａｃと略対向して右側の支持部１３側部に突出した支軸１８，１８端部に固定し、一対のアーム１７を、載置台１４に載置されるネギＡの茎部Ａａと略対向して左側の支持部１３側部に突出した支軸１８，１８端部に固定している。
【００１３】
その支軸１８，１８に固定したギャ１９を互いに歯合して、一方のアーム１６を、載置台１４に載置されたネギＡの葉部Ａｃを抱込む状態に保持する閉角度と、その保持が解除される開角度とに回動すると共に、他方のアーム１７を、載置台１４に載置されたネギＡの茎部Ａａを抱込む状態に保持する閉角度と、その保持が解除される開角度とに連動して回動する。なお、アーム１６，１７の保持面に、上述のような柔軟性を有する部材を装着してもよい。
【００１４】
且つ、図８に示すように、載置台１４の右側端部に固定した枠部２０は、ネギＡの葉部Ａｃを略水平に支持したり、折れ曲り、垂れ下がり等を防止する大きさ及び形状に形成している。
【００１５】
また、図１０に示すように、ネギＡの葉部Ａｃを、搬送路右側部に張架した支持ベルト２１で略水平に支持しながら搬送してもよい。或いは、支持ベルト２１の代わる支持手段の他の例として、例えばローラやプレート、線条体等の接触抵抗の小さい部材で支持してもよい。
【００１６】
且つ、コイルスプリング２４を、支持部１３側部に突設したピン２５と、アーム１６下端部に突設したピン２６との間に張架して、支軸１８を中心として、ネギＡが保持される角度に回動及びその保持が解除される角度に回動したとき、各状態が維持される方向に回動付勢する。
【００１７】
他方のアーム１７は、支軸１８に固定したアーム本体１７ａと、そのアーム本体１７ａ側部に固定した補助アーム１７ｂとで構成され、ネギＡの茎部Ａａを安定した状態に保持する。
【００１８】
上述のアーム１６，１７は、載置台１４に載置されたネギＡを抱込んだ状態に保持する大きさ及び形状に形成され、閉状態に於て、載置台１４を周回移動したり、上下反転するとき、ネギＡの落下が防止される。
【００１９】
一方のアーム１６下端に枢着したローラ２２は、上側搬送路の等階級計測部ｄ後段に架設したレール２７に当接され、支軸１８を中心として、アーム１６，１７をネギＡが保持される方向に回動ガイドする。また、レール２７に代わる回動手段の他の例として、例えばエアーシリンダ、ソレノイド、カム、ギャ等で回動してもよい。
【００２０】
他方のアーム１７下端に枢着したローラ２３は、仕分け部ｅ…に配設した保持解除装置２８（例えばロータリシリンダ）の解除部材２８ａに当接され、支軸１８を中心として、アーム１６，１７を保持が解除される方向に回動ガイドする。解除部材２８ａは、ローラ２３に当接される位置と、その当接が回避される位置とに回動される。また、保持解除装置２８に代わる放出手段の他の例として、例えばレールやカムに当接したり、或いは、エアーシリンダやソレノイド、モータ等により回動してもよい。
【００２１】
前述の不要部切除装置３は、例えば既に出願済みの不要部切断装置（特願平１１−１７８２３５号又は特願平３３２６９３号）で構成され、光学的計測手段による計測情報に基づいて、ネギＡの茎部Ａａの不要部分（茎部）を切除する。
【００２２】
前述の糖酸度計測装置４は、例えば既に出願済みの糖酸度計測装置（特願２０００−１０６８号）で構成され、ネギＡの茎部Ａａを透過する光を受光器で受光する等して、その透過率又は特定波長の差により糖酸度を計測する。
【００２３】
前述の重量計測装置５は、例えばロードセルや重量センサー等で構成され、装置上を載置台１４が走行するとき、ネギＡが載置された載置台１４の総重量を搬送しながら計測して、その計測結果を装置本体７に出力する。また、装置の走行面を、例えばフッ素樹脂（商品名＝テフロン）等の接触抵抗の小さい部材で被覆してもよい。
【００２４】
前述の等階級計測装置６は、図８、図９にも示すように、上側搬送路及び下側搬送路に設定した等階級計測部ｄを遮光室３０で夫々囲繞して、遮光室３０内に配設した光源３１（例えばハロゲンランプ）でネギＡを照光する。また、光源３１に代わる照光手段の他の例として、例えば赤外線ランプや白熱電球、蛍光灯、キセノンランプ、タングステンランプ等を用いてもよく、計測に適した光であれば、太陽光やその他の光源を用いてもよく、上述の光源のみに限定されるものではない。
【００２５】
上側搬送路の等階級計測部ｄには、計測装置３２〜３７を、載置台１４に載置されるネギＡの上部周面と対向して配設している。計測装置３２は、載置台１４に載置されるネギＡの茎部Ａａ下端と対向して搬送路上部（略真上）に配設され、茎部Ａａの太さ、歪み（トラッキング）等を計測する。
【００２６】
計測装置３３，３４は、図１１にも示すように、装置３３を、ネギＡの茎部Ａａ中央と対向して搬送路上部に配設され、ネギＡを中心として、装置３４を、茎部Ａａ中央と対向して搬送路の前方側又は後方側に対して所定角度に斜設し、ネギＡの全長、曲がり、丸み等を計測する。
【００２７】
計測装置３５は、図１２、図１３にも示すように、ネギＡの茎部Ａａ中央と、軟白部Ａｂと、葉部Ａｃ全長に至る部分と対向して搬送路上部に配設され、ネギＡの軟白長さ、葉数、葉色等を計測する。
【００２８】
計測装置３６，３７は、ネギＡの葉部Ａｃ表面と対向して搬送路上部に配設され、ネギＡを中心として、上側搬送路の前方側又は後方側に対して所定角度に斜設され、装置３６，３７でネギＡの葉数、葉傷等を計測する。
【００２９】
下側搬送路の等階級計測部ｄには、計測装置３８，３９を、最初の仕分け部ｅ前段であって、表裏反転されたネギＡの葉部Ａｃ裏面と対向して下側搬送路上に配設され、ネギＡを中心として、下側搬送路の前方側又は後方側に対して所定角度に斜設し、ネギＡの葉数、葉傷等を計測する。
【００３０】
上述の糖酸度計測装置４と、重量計測装置５と、計測装置３２〜３９（例えば白黒又はカラーのＣＣＤカメラ）とを接続した装置本体７（例えばパーソナルコンピュータ）は、装置４，５，３２〜３９から出力される計測情報と、予め記憶した判定情報（例えば太さ、径、幅、厚み、全長、曲がり、丸み、軟白長さ、葉数、葉色、葉傷（病気）、糖酸度、重量等）とを比較し、糖酸度及び等階級（例えば秀、優、良、並、不可等の等級、３Ｌ、２Ｌ、Ｌ、Ｍ、Ｓ、２Ｓ、３Ｓ等の階級）を個々に判定する。
【００３１】
且つ、その判定と対応する仕分け部ｅに載置台１４が移動するまでの番地又はタイムラグを計数し、判定と対応する仕分け部ｅにネギＡが搬送されたとき、保持解除装置２８（例えばモータやソレノイド、シリンダ等）の解除部材２８ａをアーム１７の下端部に当接し、アーム１６，１７を保持が解除される方向に回動して、ネギＡを、仕分けコンベア２に対して略直交して配設した分配コンベア８に放出する。判定と異なる場合、保持解除装置２８を待機させる。
【００３２】
また、タイムラグに代わる他の仕分け手段として、例えば載置台１４毎に設定される番地情報を番地読取りリーダで読み取ったり、載置台１４毎に付設される記録媒体の情報を読み取る等してもよい。
【００３３】
且つ、計測装置３２〜３９に代わる光学的計測手段の他の例として、例えばイメージセンサ、ビデオカメラ等を用いたり、ネギＡの茎部Ａａと、軟白部Ａｂと、葉部Ａｃとを、例えば略水平方向、略下方等から計測してもよい。
【００３４】
図示実施例は上記の如く構成するものにして、以下、ネギ計測装置１によるネギＡ（例えば抽苔ネギ）の計測方法を説明する。
先ず、図１、図２に示すように、例えばネギＡの茎部Ａａに付着する土や泥を水で洗い流したり、表皮（荒皮）を剥離する等した前処理済みのネギＡを、供給コンベア（図示省略）により送り方向と略直交する横向き姿勢に揃えて搬送し、送りコンベア２の載置台１４…に対して１本ずつ載置する。また、供給コンベアに代わる他の供給方法として、例えば作業者の手で１本ずつ移載したり、吸着子又はアームで保持する等して供給してもよい。
【００３５】
次に、ネギＡの茎部Ａａの不要部分を不要部切除装置３により切除して、所定長さに切揃えた後、ネギＡの糖酸度を糖酸度計測装置４により計測し、ネギＡの重量を重量計測装置５により計測して、装置４，５の計測情報を装置本体７に出力する。
【００３６】
次に、図８、図９に示すように、ネギＡの茎部Ａａと、軟白部Ａｂと、葉部Ａｃとの所定項目を、上側搬送路の等階級計測部ｄに配設した計測装置３２〜３７により略真上及び斜め上方から計測して、その計測情報を装置本体７に出力する。図１１〜図１３に示すように、ネギＡの茎部Ａａを載置台１４の略水平載置面１４ａに載置して、湾曲するネギの茎部Ａａを、載置台１４の略水平載置面１４ａに沿った状態に略９０％載置するので、ネギＡの向き及び重心が安定する。
【００３７】
次に、載置台１４に載置されたネギＡの葉部Ａｃを一対のアーム１６で保持し、茎部Ａａを一対のアーム１７で保持した後、載置台１４を下側搬送路側に周回移動して、アーム１６，１７で保持したネギＡを表裏反転（略１８０度）する。
【００３８】
最初の仕分け部ｅに至る前に、アーム１６，１７により複数箇所（例えば二箇所、三箇所）を保持したネギＡの葉部Ａｃ裏面を、下側搬送路の等階級計測部ｄに配設した計測装置３８，３９により斜め上方から計測して、その計測情報を装置本体７に出力する。
【００３９】
一方、装置本体７は、装置４，５，３２〜３９の計測情報を対応させて記憶すると共に、その計測情報に基づいて、ネギＡの所定項目を個々に判定する。その判定と対応する仕分け部ｅにネギＡが搬送されたとき、アーム１６，１４による保持を解除して、ネギＡを、仕分け部ｅの分配コンベア８に放出して次工程に搬送する。以下同様にして、後続のネギＡ…を項目別に仕分け処理する。なお、規格外のネギＡは回収又は廃棄する。
【００４０】
以上のように、ネギＡを、仕分けコンベア２を構成する載置台１４の略水平載置面１４ａに載置して搬送するので、湾曲する殆どのネギＡが、載置台１４の略水平載置面１４ａに沿った状態に載置され、ネギＡの向き及び重心が安定するため、ネギＡの表面側を正確に計測することができる。且つ、載置台１４に載置されたネギＡを、アーム１６，１７で保持したまま周回移動して表裏反転するので、上述と同様に、ネギＡの裏面側を正確に計測することができる。したがって、ネギＡの表裏両面（略全体）を計測した計測情報に基づいて、ネギＡを項目別に仕分ける作業が適確且つ確実に行える。
【００４１】
しかも、ネギＡを、計測装置３２，３３，３５により略真上から計測し、計測装置３４，３６〜３９により斜め上方から計測するので、未計測部分が残ったりせず、ネギＡの略外面全体を立体的に計測することができる。
【００４２】
さらに、ネギＡの表裏両面を、計測装置３３〜３９により上方から計測するので、ネギＡの皮や液、ゴミ等の異物が計測装置３３〜３９に付着したりせず、計測精度を常時一定に保つことができる。
【００４３】
この発明の構成と、上述の実施例との対応において、
この発明の長尺物は、実施例のネギＡに対応し、
以下同様に、
搬送コンベアは、仕分けコンベア２に対応し、
載置部は、載置台１４に対応し、
保持手段は、アーム１６，１７に対応し、
表側計測手段は、計測装置３２〜３７に対応し、
裏側計測手段は、計測装置３８，３９に対応し、
放出部は、分配コンベア８に対応し、
放出手段は、装置本体７及び格納されたプログラムと、レール２７と、保持解除装置２８とに対応するも、
この発明は、上述の実施例の構成のみに限定されるものではない。
【００４４】
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】ネギ計測装置の全体構成を示す平面図。
【図２】ネギ計測装置による計測動作及び仕分け動作を示す側面図。
【図３】ネギの葉側保持状態を示す右側面図。
【図４】ネギの茎側保持状態を示す左側面図。
【図５】ネギの載置状態を示す正面図。
【図６】ネギの載置状態を示す平面図。
【図７】アームの取付け状態を示す平面図。
【図８】ネギの計測状態及び葉部の支持状態を示す斜視図。
【図９】等階級計測装置によるネギの計測状態を示す斜視図。
【図１０】ネギの葉部を支持ベルトにより支持した状態を示す斜視図。
【図１１】ネギ全長の計測状態を示す側面図。
【図１２】ネギの軟白部及び葉部の計測状態を示す側面図。
【図１３】浮き上がったネギの軟白部及び葉部の計測状態を示す側面図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ…ネギ
Ａａ…茎部
Ａｂ…軟白部
Ａｃ…葉部
１…ネギ計測装置
２…仕分けコンベア
３…不要部切除装置
４…糖酸度計測装置
５…重量計測装置
６…等階級計測装置
７…装置本体
１４…載置台
１６，１７…アーム
２７…レール
２８…保持解除装置
３２〜３９…計測装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a leek measuring device used when measuring predetermined items of leek.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an apparatus for sorting the leeks of the above-described example, for example, a long onion is supported and conveyed by a Y-shaped jig of a gripping mechanism that constitutes a sorting conveyor, and the surface side of the leeks is provided in the upper conveyance path. Take an image with the camera. The leek supported by the Y-shaped jig is held by the hand and circulates to the lower conveyance path. At the same time, a predetermined item of the leek is determined based on image information captured by the camera, and the leek is positioned at a position corresponding to the determination. There is an apparatus (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-202373) that releases the holding by the hand and sorts the green onions by item when moving.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the above-mentioned device supports the entire length of the leek with the two Y-shaped jigs, the center of gravity of the leek is lower than the fulcrum of the Y-shaped jig, and the posture should be stable. Until the holding operation is completed or moved to the holding position, the center of gravity of the leeks may swing back and forth due to the vibration generated by the sorting conveyor itself, and the direction of the leeks may be displaced. However, there is a problem in that accurate measurement information cannot be obtained and selection mistakes are likely to occur due to the fact that both front and back surfaces are measured redundantly or unmeasured portions remain.
[0004]
In view of the above problems, the present invention places the green onion on the substantially horizontal mounting surface of the mounting portion, and moves the green onion while holding the green onion with the holding means, so that the front and back are reversed. An object of the present invention is to provide a leek measuring device capable of improving the sorting accuracy.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Invention of Claim 1 is a leek measuring apparatus which measures the predetermined item of the leek conveyed by a conveyance conveyor , Comprising: In the shape where the said leek is mounted in the said conveyance conveyor substantially horizontal with respect to a feed direction. The above-described mounting surface is provided, the leek is placed at a predetermined interval with respect to the feeding direction, and a placing portion is provided for placing the leek leaf portion so as to protrude outward, and The arm is provided at the mounting portion and is pivoted between a closed angle for holding the leek mounted on the mounting surface described above and an opening angle at which the holding is released, and the arm is mounted on the mounting portion. A holding means for holding the onion placed at least in the lower conveyance path of the conveyor, and a front-side measuring means for measuring the surface side of the leek placed on the conveyor on the upper conveyance path of the conveyor The front and back of the conveyor Characterized in that it is a green onion measuring apparatus provided with the back side measuring means for measuring the back surface side lobe of the rolling is leek from above.
[0006]
[Action and effect]
According to this invention, since the onions are placed on the substantially horizontal placement surface of the placement portion that constitutes the conveyor and conveyed, most of the leeks that are curved are placed in a state along the placement surface, Since the direction and center of gravity of the leek are stable, accurate measurement information can be obtained.
[0007]
Moreover, since the green onions placed on the loading section are moved around the lower conveyance path while being held by the holding means and turned upside down, both the front and back sides of the onions can be accurately measured and sorted by item. Work can be performed accurately and reliably.
[0008]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
The drawings show a leek measuring device used for measuring a predetermined item of a leek, which is an example of a long object. In FIGS. 1 and 2, this leek measuring device 1 is a long leek such as a scallion leek. Are mounted on a mounting table 14 constituting the sorting conveyor 2 and conveyed. The unnecessary part excision device 3 disposed in the excision part a of the upper conveyance path excises the unnecessary part of the onion A, and the sugar acidity measurement apparatus 4 disposed in the sugar acidity measurement part b subsequent to the excision part a is the sugar of the green onion A. The weight measuring device 5 that measures the acidity and is disposed in the weight measuring unit c subsequent to the sugar acidity measuring unit b measures the weight of the onion A, and the upper and lower components disposed in the equal class measuring unit d subsequent to the weight measuring unit c. The equal class measuring device 6 measures the equal class of the leek A. The apparatus main body 7 to which the apparatuses 4, 5, 6 are connected individually determines the predetermined items of the leeks A based on the above-described measurement information, and with respect to the distribution conveyor 8 disposed in the sorting section e of the lower conveyance path. Supply by item.
[0010]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the above-described feed conveyor 2 is constructed such that the bracket 11 is installed between the circulation chains 10 stretched on both sides of the conveyance path and is spaced at a predetermined interval with respect to the entire circumference of the circulation chain 10. Are installed. In addition, the support shaft 12 pivoted on the upper part of the rear end side of the bracket 11 and the front end side of the support portion 13 fixed to the lower surface of the mounting table 14 are connected in a vertically movable state (free state) (float type). Alternatively, a plurality of mounting tables 14 are installed at a predetermined interval with respect to the feeding direction, and the circulating chain 10 is rotated in the feeding direction by a motor with a speed reducer (shown in phantom lines in the figure), and the mounting tables 14. Moves around at a constant speed in the feed direction.
[0011]
Further, the mounting table 14 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape or a substantially V-shape when viewed from the side, and the central mounting surface 14a on which the leek A is mounted is formed in a planar shape that is substantially horizontal with respect to the feed direction. In addition, it is inclined at an angle that gradually increases from the central portion mounting surface 14a toward the front and rear portion mounting surfaces. In addition, a flexible member such as urethane rubber or sponge rubber may be laid on the placement surface, or the placement surface may be formed of, for example, a net or a frame. In addition, the size, shape, interval, and feed rate of the mounting table 14 may be changed according to the leek.
[0012]
On the other hand, a plurality of support rollers 15 are supported at the front and rear edge portions on the lower end side of the support portion 13 so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the feed direction, and a pair of arms 16 are provided at the right end portion of the mounting table 14 with respect to the feed direction. The pair of arms 17 are fixed to the ends of the support shafts 18 and 18 projecting from the side of the right support portion 13 so as to face the leaf portion Ac of the leek A placed on the placement table 14. Are fixed to the ends of the support shafts 18 and 18 projecting to the side of the left support 13 facing the stem Aa of the green onion A.
[0013]
The gears 19 fixed to the support shafts 18 and 18 are engaged with each other, and one arm 16 is held at a closed angle to hold the leaf Ac of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 14, and While rotating to the open angle at which the holding is released, the closed angle for holding the other arm 17 in a state of embedding the stem Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 14, and the holding is released. It rotates in conjunction with the opening angle. A member having flexibility as described above may be mounted on the holding surfaces of the arms 16 and 17.
[0014]
And as shown in FIG. 8, the frame part 20 fixed to the right end part of the mounting base 14 is a size and shape which supports the leaf part Ac of a leek A substantially horizontally, or prevents bending, drooping, etc. Is formed.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the leaf portion Ac of the green onion A may be transported while being supported substantially horizontally by the support belt 21 stretched on the right side of the transport path. Alternatively, as another example of the support means that replaces the support belt 21, the support belt 21 may be supported by a member having a small contact resistance, such as a roller, a plate, or a linear member.
[0016]
The coil spring 24 is stretched between a pin 25 projecting on the side of the support portion 13 and a pin 26 projecting on the lower end of the arm 16, and the leek A is held around the support shaft 18. When it is rotated to an angle at which the rotation and the holding thereof are released, it is urged to rotate in a direction in which each state is maintained.
[0017]
The other arm 17 is composed of an arm main body 17a fixed to the support shaft 18 and an auxiliary arm 17b fixed to the side of the arm main body 17a, and holds the stem Aa of the leek A in a stable state.
[0018]
The above-described arms 16 and 17 are formed in a size and shape that hold the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 14 in a closed state, and move around the mounting table 14 in the closed state, When reversing, the onion A is prevented from falling.
[0019]
The roller 22 pivotally attached to the lower end of one arm 16 is brought into contact with a rail 27 installed in the rear stage of the equal class measuring part d of the upper conveyance path, and the spring 16 is held on the arms 16 and 17 around the support shaft 18. Rotating guide in the direction Further, as another example of the rotating means replacing the rail 27, for example, an air cylinder, solenoid, cam, gear or the like may be used for rotation.
[0020]
The roller 23 pivotally attached to the lower end of the other arm 17 is brought into contact with a release member 28a of a holding release device 28 (for example, a rotary cylinder) disposed in the sorting section e, and the arms 16 and 17 are centered on the support shaft 18. Is guided to turn in the direction in which the holding is released. The release member 28a is rotated to a position where it comes into contact with the roller 23 and a position where the contact is avoided. In addition, as another example of the discharge unit that replaces the holding release device 28, for example, it may come into contact with a rail or a cam, or may be rotated by an air cylinder, a solenoid, a motor, or the like.
[0021]
The above-mentioned unnecessary part excision device 3 is constituted by an unnecessary part cutting device (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-178235 or Japanese Patent Application No. 333293) already filed, for example, based on the measurement information by the optical measuring means. Unnecessary part (stem part) of the stem part Aa is excised.
[0022]
The above-mentioned sugar acidity measuring device 4 is composed of, for example, a previously applied sugar acidity measuring device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-1068), and receiving light transmitted through the stem Aa of leek A with a light receiver, etc. The sugar acidity is measured by the difference in transmittance or specific wavelength.
[0023]
The above-described weight measuring device 5 is composed of, for example, a load cell, a weight sensor, and the like, and measures the total weight of the mounting table 14 on which the green onion A is mounted when the mounting table 14 travels on the device, The measurement result is output to the apparatus body 7. Moreover, you may coat | cover the running surface of an apparatus with members with small contact resistance, such as a fluororesin (brand name = Teflon), for example.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the above-described equal class measuring device 6 surrounds the equal class measuring units d set in the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path with the light shielding chamber 30, respectively. The leeks A are illuminated with a light source 31 (for example, a halogen lamp) arranged in the above. In addition, as another example of the illuminating means replacing the light source 31, for example, an infrared lamp, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp, a tungsten lamp, or the like may be used. A light source may be used and is not limited to the above-described light source.
[0025]
In the equal class measuring section d of the upper conveyance path, measuring devices 32 to 37 are arranged to face the upper peripheral surface of the leek A mounted on the mounting table 14. The measuring device 32 is disposed on the upper part (substantially above) of the stalk Aa of the leeks A placed on the mounting table 14 so as to adjust the thickness, distortion (tracking), etc. of the stalk Aa. measure.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 11, the measuring devices 33 and 34 are arranged at the upper part of the conveyance path so as to face the center of the stem Aa of the green onion A. Opposite the center of Aa, it is obliquely set at a predetermined angle with respect to the front side or the rear side of the transport path, and the total length, bending, roundness, etc. of the onion A are measured.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the measuring device 35 is disposed in the upper part of the conveyance path so as to face the center of the stem Aa of the leeks A, the soft white part Ab, and the part reaching the full length of the leaf part Ac. The soft white length, the number of leaves, the leaf color, etc. of A are measured.
[0028]
The measuring devices 36 and 37 are disposed on the upper part of the conveyance path so as to face the leaf Ac surface of the green onion A, and are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front side or the rear side of the upper conveyance path with the green onion A as the center. Then, the number of leaves, leaf scratches, etc. of the leeks A are measured by the devices 36 and 37.
[0029]
For the equal class measuring unit d of the lower conveyance path, the measuring devices 38 and 39 are placed on the lower conveyance path facing the back surface of the leaf part Ac of the green onion A which is the front stage of the first sorting unit e and reversed. It is arranged and obliquely set at a predetermined angle with respect to the front side or the rear side of the lower conveyance path with the onion A as the center, and the number of leaves, leaf scratches, etc. of the onion A are measured.
[0030]
A device main body 7 (for example, a personal computer) connected to the sugar acidity measuring device 4, the weight measuring device 5, and the measuring devices 32 to 39 (for example, a monochrome or color CCD camera) includes devices 4, 5, 32 to Measurement information output from 39 and pre-stored determination information (for example, thickness, diameter, width, thickness, total length, bend, roundness, soft white length, leaf number, leaf color, leaf wound (disease), sugar acidity, weight Etc.) and the sugar acidity and the isoclass (eg, grades such as “Excellent”, “excellent”, “good”, “average”, “unusable”, 3L, 2L, L, M, S, 2S, 3S, etc.) are individually determined.
[0031]
The address or time lag until the mounting table 14 moves to the sorting unit e corresponding to the determination is counted, and when the leek A is conveyed to the sorting unit e corresponding to the determination, the holding release device 28 (for example, a motor or The release member 28a of the solenoid, cylinder, etc.) is brought into contact with the lower end portion of the arm 17 and the arms 16, 17 are rotated in the direction in which the holding is released, so that the green onion A is substantially orthogonal to the sorting conveyor 2. It discharges to the distribution conveyor 8 arranged. If it is different from the determination, the holding release device 28 is put on standby.
[0032]
In addition, as other sorting means replacing the time lag, for example, address information set for each mounting table 14 may be read by an address reading reader, or information on a recording medium attached to each mounting table 14 may be read.
[0033]
And as another example of the optical measuring means replacing the measuring devices 32 to 39, for example, an image sensor, a video camera or the like is used, or the stem Aa, the soft white Ab, and the leaf Ac of the green onion A You may measure from a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially downward direction, etc.
[0034]
The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and hereinafter, a method for measuring a leek A (for example, extracted leeks) by the leek measuring apparatus 1 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, for example, pre-treated leek A is supplied by washing away dirt or mud adhering to the stem Aa of leek A with water or peeling off the epidermis (rough skin). The conveyors (not shown) are transported in a horizontal orientation substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction, and are placed one by one on the placing table 14 of the feeding conveyor 2. Further, as another supply method instead of the supply conveyor, for example, the transfer may be performed by transferring one by one with the hand of an operator, or by holding it with an adsorber or an arm.
[0035]
Next, after cutting the unnecessary part of the stem part Aa of the leek A with the unnecessary part excision device 3 and trimming it to a predetermined length, the sugar acidity of the leek A is measured with the sugar acidity measuring device 4, and The weight is measured by the weight measuring device 5 and the measurement information of the devices 4 and 5 is output to the device body 7.
[0036]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a measuring device in which predetermined items of the stem Aa, the soft white Ab, and the leaf Ac of the green onion A are arranged in the equal class measuring unit d of the upper conveyance path. The measurement information is measured from directly above and obliquely upward by 32 to 37 and the measurement information is output to the apparatus main body 7. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the stem portion Aa of the green onion A is placed on the substantially horizontal placement surface 14 a of the placement table 14, and the stem portion Aa of the curved green onion is placed on the placement table 14 in a substantially horizontal manner. Since approximately 90% is placed in a state along the surface 14a, the direction and center of gravity of the onion A are stabilized.
[0037]
Next, the leaf Ac of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 14 is held by the pair of arms 16, and the stem Aa is held by the pair of arms 17, and then the mounting table 14 moves to the lower conveyance path side. Then, the green onion A held by the arms 16, 17 is reversed (approximately 180 degrees).
[0038]
Before reaching the first sorting section e, the back surface of the leaf part Ac of the green onion A, which is held at a plurality of places (for example, two places, three places) by the arms 16 and 17, is disposed in the equal class measuring section d of the lower conveyance path. The measurement devices 38 and 39 are used to measure from obliquely above, and the measurement information is output to the device body 7.
[0039]
On the other hand, the device body 7 stores the measurement information of the devices 4, 5, 32 to 39 in association with each other, and individually determines the predetermined items of the leek A based on the measurement information. When the leeks A are transported to the sorting section e corresponding to the determination, the holding by the arms 16 and 14 is released, and the leeks A are discharged to the distribution conveyor 8 of the sorting section e and transported to the next process. In the same manner, the subsequent leeks A are sorted by item. Non-standard onion A is collected or discarded.
[0040]
As described above, the leeks A are placed on the substantially horizontal placing surface 14a of the placing table 14 constituting the sorting conveyor 2 and transported. Since it is placed in a state along the surface 14a and the direction and the center of gravity of the leek A are stabilized, the surface side of the leek A can be accurately measured. Moreover, since the green onion A placed on the mounting table 14 moves around while being held by the arms 16 and 17 and is turned upside down, the back side of the green onion A can be accurately measured as described above. Therefore, based on the measurement information obtained by measuring the front and back surfaces (substantially the entire surface) of the onion A, the work for sorting the onion A by item can be performed accurately and reliably.
[0041]
Moreover, the onion A is measured from directly above by the measuring devices 32, 33, and 35, and is measured from obliquely above by the measuring devices 34, 36 to 39, so that no unmeasured portion remains and the substantially outer surface of the onion A. The whole can be measured in three dimensions.
[0042]
Further, since both the front and back surfaces of the leek A are measured from above by the measuring devices 33 to 39, foreign matter such as leek A skin, liquid, dust or the like does not adhere to the measuring devices 33 to 39, and the measurement accuracy is always constant. Can be kept in.
[0043]
In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The long object of the present invention corresponds to the onion A of the example,
Similarly,
The transfer conveyor corresponds to the sorting conveyor 2,
The mounting unit corresponds to the mounting table 14,
The holding means corresponds to the arms 16 and 17,
The front side measuring means corresponds to the measuring devices 32-37,
The back side measuring means corresponds to the measuring devices 38 and 39,
The discharge part corresponds to the distribution conveyor 8,
The discharging means corresponds to the apparatus main body 7 and the stored program, the rail 27, and the holding release device 28.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.
[0044]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a leek measuring device.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a measuring operation and a sorting operation by a leek measuring device.
FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a leaf-side holding state of a leek.
FIG. 4 is a left side view showing a state of holding a scallion on the stem side.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where a leek is placed.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a leek is placed.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arm attachment state.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a leek measurement state and a leaf support state.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a leek measurement state by an equal class measurement apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where a leaf part of a leek is supported by a support belt.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state of measuring the total length of a leek.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing a measurement state of a soft white portion and a leaf portion of a leek.
FIG. 13 is a side view showing a measurement state of a soft white portion and a leaf portion of a leek that has floated.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS A ... Leek Aa ... Stem part Ab ... Soft white part Ac ... Leaf part 1 ... Leek measuring device 2 ... Sorting conveyor 3 ... Unnecessary part cutting device 4 ... Sugar acidity measuring device 5 ... Weight measuring device 6 ... Equal class measuring device 7 ... Device Main body 14 ... Mounting table 16, 17 ... Arm 27 ... Rail 28 ... Holding release device 32 to 39 ... Measuring device

Claims

A leek measuring device for measuring predetermined items of leek conveyed by a conveyor,
The carrying conveyor has a placing surface formed in a shape in which the leeks are placed substantially horizontally with respect to the feeding direction, and the leeks are placed at a predetermined interval with respect to the feeding direction. Provide a placement part to place the leek leaf part protruding outwards,
The mounting portion has an arm that pivots between a closed angle for holding the leek placed on the placement surface and holding the onion placed on the placement surface and an open angle for releasing the holding . A holding means for holding the leek placed on at least the lower conveying path of the conveyor,
A front-side measuring means for measuring the surface side of the leek placed on the transport conveyor is provided on the upper transport path of the transport conveyor,
The leek measuring device which provided the back side measurement means which measures the back side leaf | leaf part of the said leek reversed front and back from the upper direction in the lower conveyance path of the said conveyance conveyor.