JP5218373B2 - Color sorter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a color sorter that sorts grains such as grains and resin pellets by color, and relates to a color sorter that can be miniaturized so that it can be used by farmers, for example.

  Traditionally, the color of raw materials consisting of grains such as rice and wheat, resin pellets, coffee beans, and other granular materials is classified into non-defective products and defective products by color, and foreign substances mixed in the materials are sorted and removed by color. Sorters are known. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2.)

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the color sorter described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a primary sorting unit in the color sorter described in FIG.
The color sorter described in Patent Document 1 is a large-scale type used in a rice mill or the like, and as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of primary sorting units 102A and secondary sorting units 102B are arranged in parallel. The entire device is formed wide. The primary sorting unit 102A and the secondary sorting unit 102B have substantially the same configuration except for the chute surface.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the primary sorting unit 102A of the color sorter described in Patent Document 1 is inclined at an angle of about 60 degrees in order to move down the primary sorting grain in a state of being expanded in the width direction. The storage chute 103 for storing the primary sorting grain, and the vibration feeder 105 for transporting the primary sorting grain from the storage tank 104 to the chute 103. is there. Further, the primary sorting unit 102A includes a pair of optical detection units 106a and 106b provided across the top and bottom of the grain flow trajectory flowing down from the lower end of the chute 103, and an ejector nozzle 107 provided further below. It is. Further, the primary sorting unit 102A is on the same inclination line as the chute 103 below the ejector nozzle 107, and receives a primary good product discharge basket 108A that receives the grains that flow down without receiving the blast from the ejector nozzle 107, and It is formed in a hopper shape so as to surround the periphery of the primary good product discharge basket 108A, and is provided with a primary defective product discharge basket 109A in order to collect defective products from normal grains in response to a blast from the ejector nozzle 107.

  The optical detectors 106a and 106b are respectively formed of boxes 115a and 115b. The box 115a above the grain flow trajectory has a visible light CCD camera 116a and a near infrared light NIR camera 117. In addition, visible light sources 118a and 118a made of fluorescent lamps, a near-infrared light source 119a made of a halogen lamp and the like, and an opposing background 120a for the optical detection unit 106b are incorporated. On the other hand, the box 115b below the grain flow trajectory has a visible light CCD camera 116b, visible light sources 118b and 118b made of fluorescent lamps, a near-infrared light source 119b made of halogen lamps and the like, optical Opposing backgrounds 120b and 120c for the detection unit 106a are provided. And the window members 121a and 121b which consist of transparent glass are engage | inserted by the flow trajectory side of the grain in each box 115a, 115b. An inspection door 122 that can be opened and closed by an air cylinder is provided on the upper box body 115a, so that the optical detection unit 106a can be easily maintained without the need for disassembly.

  In such a large color sorter, a visible light comprising a fluorescent lamp or the like in the optical detectors 106a and 106b is obtained so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained even at the outer end of the chute 103 of the sorting unit located at the end. The light sources 118a and 118b are longer than the combined width of all the chutes 103 of the sorting unit, and the outer ends thereof are located outside the outer ends of the chutes 103 located at the end portions in the width direction of the body. Are arranged to be.

By the way, when considering miniaturization of the color sorter, it is not preferable to arrange the outer ends of the light sources 118a and 118b so as to be located on the outer side in the width direction of the fuselage from the outer end of the chute 103 located at the end.
However, when a light source having a length shorter than the combined width of all the chutes 103 is used, and the outer end of the light source is disposed so as to be located on the inner side in the width direction of the fuselage from the outer end of the chute 103 located at the end. There is a problem that a sufficient amount of light cannot be obtained at the outer end of the chute 103 located at the end.

7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a grain sorter described in Patent Document 2, FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an optical detection unit in the grain sorter described in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is described in FIG. The perspective view of the reference | standard board arrange | positioned at the optical detection part made is shown.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the grain sorter described in Patent Document 2, after the grain 190 supplied to the belt conveyor 138 is transported along the transport path, it falls from one end of the transport path. However, in the lower left, in order to change the falling direction of the falling grain, an ejector 144 made of a leaf spring driven by a solenoid, and various passages through which the selected grain passes are formed. A cylinder 146 is provided. A front camera 140 and a rear camera 142 are arranged between the sorting cylinder 146 and the belt conveyor 138 to photograph the falling grain 190 from the two front and back surfaces. Here, the front camera 140 and the rear camera 142 are both line sensor cameras having 512 pixels, and shoot a predetermined linear region wider than the width of the fall trajectory of the grains falling from the belt conveyor 138. .

As shown in FIG. 8, the visual field center axis W1 of the front camera 140 is substantially horizontal, and the lens 164 is installed along this axis W1. Also, a cover 162 is provided so as to cover the field of view of the lens 164, and a slit 163 is formed at a position corresponding to an extension line of the axis W1. A pair of fluorescent lamps 170 and 172 is disposed at the tip of the slit 163 at a position symmetrical to the axis W1.
On the other hand, the visual field center axis W2 of the rear camera 142 is slightly inclined downward, and a lens 168 and a cover 166 are arranged around the axis W2 in the same manner as the front camera 140, and a position corresponding to an extension line of the axis W2. A slit 167 is formed on the surface. A pair of fluorescent lamps 174 and 176 are arranged at the tip of the slit 167 at positions symmetrical to the axis W2.

  By the way, the fluorescent lamp 170 is positioned on the extension line of the axis W2, and the fluorescent lamp 174 is positioned on the extension line of the axis W1, and the light from the fluorescent lamp 170 is directed to the rear camera 142 and the light from the fluorescent lamp 174 is directed to the front camera. In order to avoid the direct insertion into 140, colorimetric plates 178 and 180 of predetermined colors are pasted on the surfaces of the fluorescent lamps 170 and 174, respectively. These colorimetric plates 178 and 180 have the same reflectance as that of grains considered as non-defective products in sorting.

  Further, the grains 190 that have fallen from the belt conveyor 138 are photographed by the front camera 140 and the rear camera 142 when they reach the vicinity of the intersection F of the axes W1 and W2, but are photographed by these cameras. At the current position (detection position), a reference plate 182 having a reference density (reference density) in advance is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the reference plate 182 has a shape that is bent into an L shape and cut out except for both ends. Here, the tongue pieces 182 </ b> A and 182 </ b> B left by the notches are arranged at positions corresponding to the intersection point F in FIG. 8, and the tongue piece 182 </ b> C is fastened to the cover 166. That is, the grain drops in the space 183 between the tongue pieces 182A and 182B, and the reference plate 182 is photographed under the same condition as the falling grain.

  And the grain sorter described in patent document 2 is a sort object in which the light quantity value of each received light quantity of the line sensor camera which arranged the some light-receiving part along the width direction of the grain detection position is a sort object. It is determined whether or not an appropriate light amount range with respect to detection light from a normal product of a certain grain is discriminated, and a grain out of the appropriate light amount range is blown off by the ejector 144 as a defective product.

Here, the grain sorter described in Patent Document 2 is the colorimetric plates 178 and 180 that have the same reflectance as the grain considered to be non-defective in a state where the grain is not conveyed to the detection position, and the above The appropriate light amount range, that is, the high level side threshold value and the low level side threshold value are set based on the light reception information of the line sensor camera that images the reference plate 182 provided at the detection position.
Specifically, for each light receiving part of the line sensor camera, a light receiving amount from the colorimetric plates 178 and 180 is used to obtain a ratio of the light receiving amount of each light receiving part to the maximum value, that is, a shading coefficient α indicating the degree of shading. At the same time, a comparison ratio β between the maximum value of the received light amount and the received light amount from the reference plate 182 is obtained in advance.
When the appropriate light quantity range is actually set, a correction value for the maximum value is obtained from the amount of light received from the reference plate 182 at that time and the comparison ratio β, and desired high and low threshold values are set in the correction value. The high level threshold and the low level threshold are set for each light receiving unit by multiplying the rate and further multiplying the shading coefficient α of each light receiving unit.

  Here, as a grain sorter, in addition to a form that conveys the grain to be sorted to the detection position in a state where the grain to be sorted is spread in the horizontal width direction, there is also a type that conveys the grain to be sorted to the detection position in a single row state. is there. And in this type of grain sorter, generally, the one shading coefficient α is not necessary because one light receiving part is arranged for the detection position where the grain is conveyed in a single row. Except for the point that the shading coefficient α is not required, the threshold values for determining the appropriate light amount range can be set by the same procedure as described above.

  The grain sorter described in Patent Document 2 calibrates the appropriate light amount range of the received light amount that serves as a grain sorting reference based on the received light amount from the reference plate 182 at the start of work every morning or during the work ( By performing (calibration), it is possible to remove the influence of fluctuations in the light quantity of the fluorescent lamp and the light receiving sensitivity of the camera.

  However, the grain sorter is such that the grain falls in the space between the tongue pieces 182A and 182B of the reference plate 182 as described above, and the grain ridges on the surface of the tongue pieces 182A and 182B during use. There is a problem that powder or the like adheres and calibration of the appropriate light amount range cannot be performed accurately.

JP 2007-283204 A Japanese Patent No. 2862821

  Therefore, the present invention can secure the light quantity at the detection position width direction end of the object to be sorted even if a light source composed of a fluorescent lamp or the like in the optical detection unit is shorter than the width of the transfer means such as a chute. The first object is to provide a color sorter that can be reduced in size by reducing the width.

  In addition, the present invention provides a color sorter that can calibrate an appropriate light amount range that serves as a grain sorting reference without being affected by adhesion of dust or the like to the sorting plate on the reference plate. Second purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transfer means for transferring an object to be sorted, an optical detection means for detecting an object to be sorted falling from an end of the transfer means at a detection position, and an optical detection means. In a color sorter that is provided below and includes an ejector that removes foreign matters or defective products from an object to be sorted based on the detection result of the optical detection unit, the optical detection unit illuminates the detection position. means, imaging means for imaging an object to be sorted matter at the detection position, and a background disposed behind the detection position an imaging direction of the imaging means Bei example, the width direction side of the detection position is made by placing a reflector for preventing light attenuation from said illumination means, while said illuminating means is arranged on the inner side of the widthwise end portion of the transfer means, the reflector outer than said illuminating means It is characterized in that disposed.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the optical detection means is configured by arranging the illumination means and the imaging means in the box of the cover, and the reflection plates are arranged on the inner surfaces of both sides of the cover in the width direction .

The present invention provides a cleaning means in which a transparent plate is disposed in front of the illumination means, and the transparent plate wiper body for cleaning the transparent plate and the reflective plate wiper body for cleaning the reflective plate can be integrally slid. It is preferable to provide it.

The present invention provides calibration plates at both ends in the width direction on the illumination unit side of the transparent plate, and an appropriate light amount for determining the object to be sorted as a foreign object or a defective product based on the image pickup signal of the calibration plate by the image pickup unit. It is preferable to calibrate the range .

In the present invention, it is preferable that a pair of optical detection means are arranged vertically or front and back across the detection position of the object to be sorted .

The present invention provides a transfer means for transferring an object to be sorted, an optical detection means for detecting an object to be sorted falling from an end of the transfer means at a detection position, and further provided below the optical detection means. In a color sorter provided with an ejector that removes a foreign object or a defective product from an object to be sorted based on a detection result by the detection unit, the optical detection unit includes an illumination unit that illuminates the detection position, and the detection position. An image pickup unit for picking up an image of the object to be sorted; and a background arranged in the image pickup direction of the image pickup unit and behind the detection position. A transparent plate is disposed in front of the illuminating means, and a transparent plate wiper body for cleaning the transparent plate and a reflective plate wiper for cleaning the reflective plate. Doo is characterized by providing a cleaning means slidable integrally.

  In the color sorter of the present invention, a reflector that prevents attenuation of the amount of light from the illumination means is arranged on the side in the width direction of the detection position. It becomes possible to reduce the size of the apparatus by narrowing.

  The color sorter according to the present invention reduces the width of the airframe as long as the illumination means is disposed inside the widthwise end of the transfer means while the reflector is disposed outside the illumination means. Thus, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  In the color sorter of the present invention, if the optical detecting means is configured by arranging the illuminating means and the imaging means in the box body of the cover, and the reflecting plate is arranged on the inner surfaces of both side walls in the width direction, The detection means can be made compact.

  In the color sorter according to the present invention, a transparent plate is disposed in front of the illumination means, and the transparent plate wiper body that cleans the transparent plate and the reflective plate wiper body that cleans the reflective plate can slide integrally. If a cleaning means is provided, the dirt on the transparent plate and the reflecting plate due to dust or the like of the object to be sorted can be easily cleaned at a time, and the amount of light at the detection position is secured to prevent a reduction in sorting accuracy. be able to.

  If the color sorter of the present invention is provided with calibration plates at both ends in the width direction on the illumination means side of the transparent plate, the dust or the like of the object to be sorted will not adhere to the calibration plate and be contaminated. . Then, the color sorter of the present invention calibrates the appropriate light amount range for determining the object to be sorted as a foreign object or a defective product based on the imaging signal of the calibration board by the imaging means. Is not affected by dirt due to adhesion of dust or the like, the calibration of the appropriate light amount range can be performed accurately.

  The color sorter according to the present invention can perform the sorting operation more accurately if the optical detection means is arranged in a pair on the top and bottom or front and back with the detection position of the sorting object in between.

The whole perspective view from the front upper right of the color sorter | selector in embodiment of this invention. The schematic explanatory drawing of the internal structure in the color sorter | selector of FIG. The enlarged view of the optical detection part in the color sorter | selector of FIG. The perspective view of the state which rotated the front side optical detection part of the color sorter | selector of FIG. The schematic perspective view of the conventional color sorter. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a primary sorting unit in the color sorter of FIG. 5. The schematic block diagram of the conventional grain sorter. The enlarged view of the optical detection part in the grain sorter of FIG. The perspective view of the reference | standard board arrange | positioned at the optical detection part of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view from the front upper right of the color sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the internal structure from the right side of the color sorter, showing a primary sorting unit. Is.

  The color sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of sorting non-defective products and defective products or foreign substances mixed in the raw materials by color using grains, resin pellets, coffee beans, and other granular materials as raw materials. .

  A color sorter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an elevating unit 2 for granulating raw materials, an optical sorting unit 3 for sorting raw materials located on the front side of the elevating unit 2, and the optical sorting. A vibrating conveyor 4 is provided below the section 3 for returning the sorted raw material to the lifting section 2.

  The raising / lowering part 2 is comprised in the state which arranged the 1st thru | or 3rd bucket conveyors 5-7 in the front view width direction of the color sorter 1, and as shown in FIG. 7 is housed compactly in the housing.

  The optical sorting unit 3 is discriminated as a defective product or a foreign substance as a result of detection by the optical detection unit 32 that detects a plurality of raw materials falling in a state of spreading in the front view width direction of the color sorter 1 and the detection by the optical detection unit 32. And an ejector 33 that removes an object by air, and a primary sorting section and a secondary sorting section are arranged side by side in the width direction. The primary sorting unit and the secondary sorting unit have substantially the same structure except for the chute surface.

  The vibrating conveyor 4 is disposed below the optical sorting unit 3 and conveys the raw material sorted by the optical sorting unit 3 toward the corresponding bucket conveyors 5 to 7. Although a vibrating conveyor is used here, other means such as a belt conveyor may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the color sorter 1, the raw material charged into the charging hopper 8 is granulated by the first bucket conveyor 5 and stored in the first storage tank 15, and then the first rotary valve 18. Is supplied to the first chute 24 at a constant flow rate.

  The raw material falling on the first chute 24 is detected by the primary sorting section. As a result of the detection, the non-defective product is bounced from the first discharge basket 16 and the defective product is bounced by the ejector 33 from the second discharge basket 17. 4 falls on the corresponding trough.

And the raw material made into the quality goods in the primary selection part is conveyed to the 2nd bucket conveyor 6 by the vibration conveyor 4, and is granulated, and is discharged | emitted outside the machine for bagging etc.
Moreover, the raw material made into inferior goods is conveyed by the 3rd bucket conveyor 7, is stored in the 2nd storage tank which is not shown in figure, Then, it is supplied to a 2nd chute | shoot with a fixed flow rate via a 2nd rotary valve.

The raw material that falls on the second chute is detected by the secondary sorting unit, and as a result of the detection, the non-defective product falls from the third discharge rod 18 onto the corresponding trough of the vibrating conveyor 4 and is passed through the first bucket by the vibrating conveyor 4. It is granulated together with the raw material that has been transported to the conveyor 5 and put into the feeding hopper 8 and again sorted in the primary sorting section.
On the other hand, the raw material which is regarded as defective is bounced by the ejector 33 and directly discharged from the fourth discharge rod 19 to the outside of the apparatus.

  Next, the configuration of the optical detection unit 32 of the color sorter 1 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the optical detector 32 of the color sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the front optical detector 32a of the color sorter rotated to expose the inside. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical detection unit 32 in the present embodiment is arranged with the first chute 24 and the second chute 25 sandwiched between the front and rear optical detection units 32 a and the rear optical detection unit. 32b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front optical detection unit 32a includes a front sensor 34a including a CCD line sensor, a mirror 35a, a light source 36a including a fluorescent lamp, and a background 37a as a background unit in a cover box. It is arranged. A transparent plate 38a made of glass or the like is provided on the raw material flow path side where the light source 36a is arranged to prevent dust or the like of the raw material from entering the box of the cover, and the background is placed inside the transparent plate 38a. 37a is attached. Note that the background 37a is disposed to face the visual field center axis (optical axis) of the rear sensor 34b in the rear optical detector 32b.
Here, as the light source 36a composed of a fluorescent lamp or the like, a light source having a length shorter than the combined width of the first chute 24 and the second chute 25 is adopted, and is arranged on the inner side of the outer ends of the chutes 24 and 25. ing.

Similarly, the rear optical detection unit 32b is configured such that a rear sensor 34b including a CCD line sensor or the like, a mirror 35b, a light source 36b including a fluorescent lamp, and a background 37b as background means are disposed in the box of the cover. It is. A transparent plate 38b made of glass or the like is provided on the raw material flow path side where the light source 36b is disposed in order to prevent dust and the like of the raw material from entering the box of the cover, and the background is placed inside the transparent plate 38b. 37b is attached. The background 37b is disposed so as to face the visual field center axis (optical axis) of the front sensor 34a in the front optical detection unit 32a.
Here, the light source 36b of the rear optical detection unit 32b is also used with a length shorter than the combined width of the first chute 24 and the second chute 25, and is located inside the outer ends of the chutes 24, 25. Has been placed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the front optical detection unit 32a and the rear optical detection unit 32b are connected via hinges at the upper part of both covers, and the front optical detection unit 32a can be rotated upward. Reflecting plates 51a made of mirrors or the like are respectively formed on the inner surfaces of both sides of the covers of the front optical detection unit 32a where the light source 36a is disposed and the light source 36b of the rear optical detection unit 32b. 51b is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical detectors 32a and 32b in the present embodiment illuminate the raw material falling from the lower ends of the chutes 24 and 25 with the light sources 36a and 36b, and use the mirror 35a and Images are taken by the sensors 34a and 34b via 35b.

In the optical detection units 32a and 32b according to the present embodiment, the light sources 36a and 36b having a length shorter than the combined width of the chutes 24 and 25 are arranged inside the outer ends of the chutes 24 and 25. However, reflectors 51a and 51b are attached to the inner surfaces of both side walls of both covers located on the side of the detection position, respectively, to secure the light quantity at the outer ends of the chutes 24 and 25. It is something that can be done.
The reflectors 51a and 51b only need to be able to secure the light quantity at the outer ends of the chutes 24 and 25, and other members having a mirror finish can be used in addition to the mirrors.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rear optical detection unit 32b includes transparent plate wiping wipers 52a and 52b for cleaning the transparent plates 38a and 38b of both optical detection units 32a and 32b, and both optical detection units. A rectangular cleaning wiper 53 is disposed in which reflecting plate wiping wipers 52c and 52c for cleaning the reflecting plates 51a and 51b attached to the inner surfaces of both side walls of the covers 32a and 32b are integrated. The cleaning wiper 53 slides up and down in the cover by driving means such as an air cylinder, and wipes and cleans the transparent plates 38a and 38b and the reflecting plates 51a and 51b.

  Since both optical detectors 32a and 32b in the present embodiment wipe and clean the transparent plates 38a and 38b and the reflecting plates 51a and 51b with the cleaning wiper 53, the amount of light caused by the adhering of the raw material dust or the like is reduced. Reduction can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4, calibration plates 39b are attached to both end portions in the inner side surface width direction of the transparent plate 38b in the rear optical detection unit 32b, and raw material dust or the like is directly applied to the calibration plate 39b. It is configured not to adhere.
Although not shown, calibration plates are similarly attached to both end portions in the inner side surface width direction of the transparent plate 38a in the front optical detection unit 32a.

  The optical detection units 32a and 32b according to the present embodiment perform, for example, the same method (described in the paragraphs [0014] and [0015] as described in Patent Document 2) at the start of work every morning or during the work. )), An appropriate light quantity range for discriminating the raw material as a defective product or a foreign substance, that is, a high-level threshold value, based on the imaging signals of the calibration plates 39a and 39b obtained by imaging with the sensors 34a and 34b. The low level side threshold value can be calibrated (corrected) to remove the influence of the light quantity of a light source such as a fluorescent lamp and the fluctuation of the light receiving sensitivity of a camera, but the calibration plates 39a and 39b are transparent plates 38a, Since it is attached to the inner surface of 38b, it is not affected by the adhesion of raw material dust or the like. In addition, since dust and the like adhering to the outer surfaces of the transparent plates 38a and 38b are wiped and cleaned by the cleaning wiper 53 as described above, the influence of the dust or the like of the raw material is minimized when the threshold values are calibrated. Is possible.

  The color sorter in the above embodiment uses an inclined chute as means for transferring the raw material to the optical detection unit, but may use a horizontally arranged conveyor like that described in Patent Document 2. In addition, the color sorter uses air as an ejector for removing defective products, foreign matters, etc., but it may also use a leaf spring driven by a solenoid or the like as described in Patent Document 2. Good.

  In the color sorter, the optical detection unit 32 is arranged in a pair on the top and bottom or front and back with the chute interposed therebetween, but the optical detection unit 32 may be arranged only on either one.

  The color sorter includes a primary sorting unit and a secondary sorting unit, but may include only a primary sorting unit. Moreover, you may provide the sorting part more than tertiary.

  The color sorter uses a line sensor as an imaging means for imaging the raw material at the detection position, but may use an area sensor.

  In the above color sorter, the optical detection unit 32 has sensors 34a and 34b, mirrors 35a and 35b, light sources 36a and 36b, and backgrounds 37a and 37b arranged in a cover box. The arrangement is not limited to this, and any arrangement may be used as long as it is arranged in the body of the color sorter. In this case, the reflectors 51a and 51b attached to the inner surfaces of both side walls of the cover are within the color sorter and in the width direction of the detection position so as to secure the light quantity at both ends in the width direction at the raw material detection position. It can arrange | position suitably at a side part.

  In the above-described embodiment, the calibration (correction) of the appropriate light amount range for discriminating the raw material as a defective product or a foreign material, which is performed using the calibration plates 39a and 39b, is also the method described in Patent Document 2. Not limited to this, an appropriate method can be adopted.

  Needless to say, the configuration of the color sorter of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The color sorter according to the present invention employs a short-length illuminating means because a reflector for preventing the attenuation of the amount of light from the illuminating means is disposed on the side in the width direction of the detection position of the object to be sorted. However, the amount of light at the end in the width direction of the detection position can be secured, and the apparatus can be downsized by narrowing the width of the machine body.
Moreover, since the color sorter of the present invention is provided with calibration plates at both ends in the width direction on the illumination means side of the transparent plate, the calibration plate is affected by dirt due to adhesion of dust etc. to the sorting object. It is possible to calibrate the appropriate light amount range as a selection criterion for the object to be selected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color sorter 2 Elevating part 3 Optical sorting part 4 Vibrating conveyor 8 Loading hopper 24 1st chute 25 2nd chute 32 Optical detection part 32a Front side optical detection part 32b Rear side optical detection part 33 Ejector 34a Front side sensor 34b Rear side sensor 35a , 35b Mirror 36a, 36b Light source 37a, 37b Background 38a, 38b Transparent plate 39b Calibration plate 51a, 51b Reflector plate 52a, 52b Transparent plate wiper wiper 52c Reflector wiper wiper 53 Cleaning wiper

Claims (6)

And transfer means for transferring the object to be sorted matter, and an optical detector for detecting the detection position to be sorted matter falling from the end of said transfer means, provided further down the optical detection unit, detection by the optical detection means In a color sorter equipped with an ejector means for removing foreign matters or defective products from an object to be sorted based on the result,
The optical detection means includes an illumination means for illuminating the detection position, an image pickup means for picking up an object to be sorted at the detection position, and a background arranged behind the detection position in the image pickup direction of the image pickup means. Bei example, said width direction sides of the detection position becomes disposed a reflector for preventing light attenuation from said illumination means,
The color sorter according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating unit is disposed on an inner side than an end portion in the width direction of the transfer unit, and the reflecting plate is disposed on an outer side of the illuminating unit . It said optical detection means is configured by arranging the illumination means and the imaging means in the box body of the cover, the reflective plate, according to claim 1 Symbol for being disposed in the width direction both side walls the inner surface of the cover The listed color sorter. A transparent plate is disposed on the front surface of the illumination unit, and a cleaning unit is provided in which a transparent plate wiper body that cleans the transparent plate and a reflective plate wiper body that cleans the reflective plate can slide integrally. The color sorter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A transfer means for transferring the object to be sorted, an optical detection means for detecting the object to be sorted falling from the end of the transfer means at a detection position, and a detection by the optical detection means provided further below the optical detection means. In a color sorter equipped with an ejector means for removing foreign matters or defective products from an object to be sorted based on the result,
  The optical detection means includes an illumination means for illuminating the detection position, an image pickup means for picking up an object to be sorted at the detection position, and a background arranged behind the detection position in the image pickup direction of the image pickup means. And a reflector for preventing attenuation of the amount of light from the illuminating means is arranged on the side in the width direction of the detection position,
A transparent plate is disposed on the front surface of the illumination unit, and a cleaning unit is provided in which a transparent plate wiper body that cleans the transparent plate and a reflective plate wiper body that cleans the reflective plate can slide integrally. Characteristic color sorter. Calibration plates are provided at both ends in the width direction on the illumination unit side of the transparent plate, and an appropriate light amount range for determining the object to be sorted as a foreign object or a defective product based on the imaging signal of the calibration plate by the imaging unit 5. The color sorter according to claim 3 , wherein the color sorter is calibrated. 6. The color sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the optical detection means is arranged in a pair of upper and lower sides or front and rear sides with a detection position of an object to be sorted interposed therebetween.

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