JP5676369B2 - Granule sorter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a transport unit that transports the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target portion in a single layer state and a laterally spread state that spreads in the width direction, and a plurality of unit light receiving units that receive light from the measurement target portion. Light receiving means provided in a state corresponding to each of the parts divided along the horizontal width direction of the measurement target location, illumination means for illuminating the full width or substantially full width of the measurement target location, and the unit light receiving portion An evaluation processing means for executing, for each of the plurality of unit light receiving units, a granular body determination process for determining whether or not the light quantity value received is out of an appropriate light quantity range, and whether or not it is a granular body to be separated. In order to separate the granular material, which is determined to be a granular material to be separated by the evaluation processing means, in a different path from the other granular material group at the separation location on the lower side in the granular material transport direction from the measurement target location. In A plurality of air injection unit for injecting the earth about granulate sorting device and the air jetting means is provided with side by side along the width direction of the measurement target portions.

  As a conventional example of the granular material sorting apparatus, there is one in which the transfer flow rate of the granular material group by the transfer unit is adjusted in advance to a value that allows the granular material discrimination process to be performed satisfactorily, and the state is maintained ( For example, see Patent Document 1.)

  Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, the pressure detection means detects the pressure of the pressure supply path for supplying air from the air supply source to the air ejection means at the time of operation stop where the transfer of the granular material is temporarily stopped, such as during cleaning. Thus, it is configured to detect whether an air leak or the like has occurred.

JP 2006-150178 A

  In the above-described conventional configuration, even when the pressure of the air supplied from the air supply source to the air ejection means is insufficient during the operation of performing the sorting process while transferring the granular material group by the transfer means, the operation is simply continued. As a result, there is a risk of causing trouble that the separation process cannot be performed satisfactorily.

  Causes of insufficient air pressure supplied to the air ejection means include air leakage in the pressure supply path for supplying air from the air supply source to the air ejection means, and malfunction of the air supply source. Conceivable.

By the way, the more the ratio of the granular material to be separated contained in the granular material group, the more frequently the air is ejected from the air ejection part, so when the frequency of ejecting air from the air ejection part is excessive, As appropriate, even if air is supplied from the air supply source to the air ejection means, the air cannot be ejected properly from the air ejection section.
For this reason, the greater the proportion of the granular material to be separated contained in the granular material group, the less the amount of the granular material group transferred by the transfer means, and the more appropriate the frequency with which the air is ejected from the air ejection part. So that the frequency is appropriate.

That is, in general, when starting the operation, the operation is performed while the granular material group is being transported on a trial basis, and the transfer amount of the granular material group by the transfer means is set so that the granular material to be separated can be appropriately separated. Will be adjusted.
Then, after the pilot operation is finished and the original operation is started, for example, when the air pressure of the air supplied from the air supply source to the air ejection means is insufficient due to the malfunction of the air supply source, etc. However, separation speed cannot be satisfactorily achieved due to insufficient jet speed and quantity of air jetted from the air jetting means. Conventionally, even if the air pressure supplied to the air jetting means is insufficient, the operation Since the process is merely continued, there is a risk of causing a trouble that the separation process cannot be performed satisfactorily.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a granular material sorting apparatus that can perform the separation processing of granular materials satisfactorily even when the pressure of the air supplied to the air ejection means is reduced.

The granular material sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer means for transferring the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target portion in a state where the granular material group is spread in the horizontal direction and in a single layer state,
A light receiving means provided in a state in which a plurality of unit light receiving portions that receive light from the measurement target location correspond to each of the respective portions that are divided along the width direction of the measurement target location;
Illumination means for illuminating the entire width or substantially the entire width of the measurement target location,
Evaluation for executing granular body determination processing for each of the plurality of unit light receiving sections to determine whether or not the light quantity value received by the unit light receiving section is a granular body to be separated depending on whether or not the light quantity value is out of the appropriate light quantity range. Processing means;
In order to separate the granular material, which is determined to be a granular material to be separated by the evaluation processing means, in a different path from the other granular material group at the separation location on the lower side in the granular material transport direction from the measurement target location. And a plurality of air ejection portions for ejecting air are arranged along the lateral width direction of the measurement target portion, and air ejection means is provided, and the first characteristic configuration thereof is:
The transfer means is configured to freely change and adjust the transfer flow rate of the granular material group,
A pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of air supplied from the air supply source to the air ejecting means, and when the detected pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is low, the transfer flow rate is less than when the detected pressure is high. Thus, a supply amount control means for controlling the operation of the transfer means so as to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure is provided.

  In other words, the pressure detection means detects the pressure of the air supplied from the air supply source to the air ejection means, and the supply amount control means detects when the detected pressure detected by the pressure detection means is low than when the detected pressure is high. Also, the operation of the transfer means is controlled so as to reduce the transfer flow rate.

That is, when the detected pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is high, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to a larger value.
If a larger value is set as the transfer flow rate of the granular material group, the number of granular materials that pass through the measurement target location per unit time will increase, and the frequency of air jetting from the air ejection part per unit time will be increased. However, at this time, since the pressure of the air supplied from the air supply source to the air jetting means is high, the air of the pressure necessary for separating the granular material to be separated from the air jetting part is jetted out to properly It can be separated from the granular material group.

And if the detection pressure detected by a pressure detection means falls, the transfer flow volume of the granular material group by a transfer means will be adjusted to a small value.
When a small value is set as the transfer flow rate of the granular material group, the number of granular materials passing through the measurement target location per unit time decreases, and the frequency of jetting air from the air ejection unit per unit time is also reduced. Therefore, even when the pressure of the air supplied to the air jetting means is low, the frequency of jetting air from the air jetting part becomes an appropriate frequency to avoid the shortage of air pressure supplied to the air jetting means Thus, the granular material to be separated can be appropriately separated from other granular material groups.

  In other words, in the operation of performing the sorting process while the granular material group is transferred by the transfer means, it is possible to appropriately separate the granular material to be separated from the other granular material group even if the air pressure is insufficient. It becomes possible.

  Therefore, according to the 1st characteristic structure, even if the pressure of the air supplied to an air jet means falls, it came to be able to provide the granular material sorter which can perform separation processing of a granular material satisfactorily. .

  In the second feature configuration of the present invention, in addition to the first feature configuration, the supply amount control means sets the transfer flow rate of the granular material group to the first if the detected pressure is higher than a preset switching determination value. In the form of adjusting to a set value and adjusting the transfer flow rate of the granular material group to a second set value less than the first set value if the detected pressure is not more than the switching determination value, The operation of the transfer means is controlled to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure.

  That is, when the detected pressure detected by the pressure detection means is higher than the switching determination value at the start of the operation for performing the sorting process while the granular material group is transferred by the transfer means, the transfer of the granular material group is performed. When the flow rate is set to the first set value and the detected pressure falls below the switching determination value, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to the second set value that is smaller than the first set value by the set amount. Become.

  By the way, it is a granular material to be separated by the evaluation processing means by executing the granularity discrimination processing by the evaluation processing means while actually transferring the granular material group to be selected by the transfer means. The process of separating the particulate matter determined as air blowing means is carried out on a trial basis to obtain a transfer flow value at which the separation process can be performed in an appropriate state, and the transfer flow value is first set. It will be set as a value.

  That is, when changing the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure, if the detected pressure falls below the switching determination value, the transfer flow rate set to the first set value is less than the set value by the set amount. Since the operation of the transfer means is controlled in the form of adjusting to the second set value, the transfer flow rate immediately changes to the second set value which is smaller by the set amount, and the pressure is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to quickly return to a state where the pressure shortage is resolved and the separation process can be performed properly.

  Therefore, according to the second feature configuration, it is possible to quickly return from the state where the pressure is insufficient to the state where the pressure is resolved and the separation process can be performed appropriately.

  According to a third feature configuration of the present invention, in addition to the first feature configuration or the second feature configuration, the supply amount control means may adjust the detected pressure when the detected pressure is higher than a preset lower limit value. Based on this, the operation of the transfer means is controlled to change the transfer flow rate, and when the detected pressure is lower than the lower limit value, the transfer means of the transfer means is stopped to stop the transfer of the granular material group by the transfer means. It is configured to control the operation.

  According to the third characteristic configuration, when the detected pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is higher than the lower limit value, the operation of the transferring means is controlled to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure. When the air pressure is lower than the value, the pressure of the air supplied to the air ejection means becomes too low, and even if the air is ejected from the air ejection section in the air ejection means, the granular material to be separated cannot be blown away. The transfer of the granular material group by is stopped.

  Therefore, according to the third characteristic configuration, when the pressure of the air supplied to the air ejection means is reduced so that the granular bodies to be separated cannot be blown away even if the air is ejected, the granular material group by the transfer means Therefore, it is possible to avoid wasteful transfer of the granular material group in a state where sorting is impossible.

  According to a fourth feature configuration of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first feature configuration to the third feature configuration, the transfer means is a vibration that discharges the granular material group in a one-sided state and in a laterally widened state spreading in the lateral width direction. Conveying speed of the granular material group due to vibration of the vibration feeder, comprising a feeder and a flow guide plate that guides the granular material discharged by the vibration feeder to flow downward while maintaining a laterally spread state. It is in the point which is comprised so that the transfer flow volume of a granular material group may be changed and adjusted by changing.

  According to the fourth characteristic configuration, the granular material group is discharged to the flow-down guide plate in a laterally widened state by the vibration feeder, and the granular material group is flow-down guided by the flow-down guide plate so as to pass through the measurement target portion. However, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is changed and adjusted by changing the discharge amount of the granular material group discharged from the vibration feeder to the flow guide plate. And a vibration feeder can change easily the discharge amount to a flow-down guide plate by changing the conveyance speed of the granular material group by vibration.

  Therefore, according to the fourth characteristic configuration, the change in the transfer flow rate of the granular material group can be handled with a simple control configuration by using the vibration feeder that can easily change the transfer flow rate.

It is a side view of a granular material sorter. It is a front view of a granular material sorting device. It is a vertical side view of a granular material sorter. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a main frame part. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the principal part. It is a side view of the principal part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a storage body arrangement | positioning part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a storage body arrangement | positioning part. It is a perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part. (A) is a perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part, (b) is an exploded perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of each part inside a storage body. It is a figure which shows the illumination state of a measurement object location. It is a figure which shows the air supply state to an air ejection apparatus. It is a control block diagram. It is a figure which shows the light reception state of a light-receiving means. It is a figure which shows the appropriate light quantity range about transmitted light. It is a figure which shows the appropriate light quantity range about reflected light. It is a figure which shows frequency distribution of light quantity. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of control operation. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of control operation. It is a figure which shows the light reception state of the light from a measurement object location.

  Hereinafter, the case of applying the embodiment of the granular material sorting device according to the present invention to a granular material group sorting device that performs sorting while guiding the flow of rice grain groups such as brown rice and polished rice as an example of the granular material group, based on the drawings. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an inclined posture in which the rice grain group k is placed in a flowing state flowing down in a single layer and in a wide state so as to pass through the measurement target portion J and is guided toward the measurement target portion J. A shooter 3C (an example of a flow-down guide plate) is provided, and a rice grain group k conveyed and supplied by a vibration feeder 3B from a storage hopper 3A provided on the upper side of the shooter 3C is allowed to flow down the upper surface of the shooter 3C. It is configured so that defective grains can be separated by sorting out defective grains whose reflectance is out of the proper range or light transmittance is out of the proper range and good rice grains.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration feeder 3 </ b> B includes a receiving placement portion 25 that receives the rice grains discharged from the lower portion of the storage hopper 3 </ b> A, and a vibration generator 26 that vibrates the receiving placement portion 25. In addition, the vibration generator 26 is configured to vibrate the receiving mounting portion 25 and feed the rice grain group k from one end thereof to the shooter 3C. As shown in FIG. 7, the shooter 3C is constituted by a grooved plate formed in a state where the linear grooves m are arranged in a plurality of rows along the width direction, and is arranged in the width direction of the shooter 3C by the vibration feeder 3B. The rice grain group k supplied in a state of spreading in a wide state along the channel is configured to flow down and guide in a plurality of rows of grooves m.

  Accordingly, the storage hopper 3A, the vibration feeder 3B, the shooter 3C, and the like constitute the transfer means 3 that transfers the rice grain group k so as to pass through the measurement target portion J in a state where the rice grain group k expands in the horizontal direction. Yes.

  Further, the vibration feeder 3B changes the conveying speed of the rice grain group k due to the vibration of the vibration generator 26, thereby supplying the supply amount of the rice grain group k fed to the shooter 3C, that is, the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k by the shooter 3C. It is configured to be able to change and adjust.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the measurement target location J for the rice grain group k is set in the path in which the rice grain population k moves and drops from the lower end of the shooter 3C. The reflected light measurement point J1 for measuring the reflected light reflected from the surface and the transmitted light measurement point J2 for receiving the transmitted light that has passed through the rice grains are set in a state where the positions are different in the transfer direction of the rice grains. Has been. Specifically, it is set in a state where the transmitted light measurement point J2 is located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the reflected light measurement point J1.

  And as shown in FIG. 6, the illumination means 4 which illuminates the measurement object location J, the light-receiving means 5 which receives the light from the rice grain group k in the measurement object location J, and the transfer direction of rice grains from the measurement object location J An air blowing device 6 is provided as a separating means for separating the separation target grains and other rice grain groups at the lower separation point.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the illuminating means 4 is located on one side (specifically, the front side of the apparatus) with respect to the measurement target position in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group and illuminates the reflected light measurement position J1. 4A of front side illumination means as one side illumination means, and the other side which differs 180 degree | times from the said one side location with respect to the measurement object location J in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group k (specifically apparatus rear side) And rear side illumination means 4B as the other side illumination means for illuminating the reflected light measurement point J1.

  Further, a background light amount adjuster 4C for transmitted light is provided in a state of being located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target location J, and is used for forming background light in a state of being located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target location J. A part-side reflecting plate 4D is provided, and a back-side reflecting plate 4E for forming background light is provided in a state of being located closer to the apparatus rear side than the measurement target portion J.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rear side illumination means 4B has two columnar fluorescent lamps that illuminate the reflected light measurement point J1 directly over the entire width in the device lateral width side by side on the device rear side with respect to the measurement target point J. A line-shaped light source 30B as a light projection body configured, and a reflected light measurement point J1 from an illumination direction different from the illumination direction by the line-shaped light source 30B due to the reflected light reflected from the light emitted from the line-shaped light source 30B. And a light reflecting member 31B as a light projecting body that illuminates the entire width of the apparatus in the horizontal direction of the apparatus, and reflects light from different illumination directions on the upper side in the transfer direction and the lower side in the transfer direction with respect to the rice grains at the reflected light measurement point J1 It is comprised so that the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated.

  Further, on the back of the line-shaped light source 30B, a diffuse reflector 32 bent in a substantially U-shape with a matte white coating on the inner surface is disposed, and although not shown, in the vicinity of the line-shaped light source 30B Is provided with a projection light adjusting mechanism that guides light to the light reflecting member 31B and guides the light flux directed to the reflected light measurement point J2 in a state in which the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains is narrowed (see FIG. 12). .

  And the light reflection member 31B is narrow with respect to the transfer direction of a rice grain group, is comprised in the elongate rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source 30B, and the reflective surface is comprised by the mirror surface. It should be noted that the position of the light reflecting member 31B is fixed so that the angle of inclination of the light reflecting member 31B is an appropriate angle so that the amount of light illuminated by the line light source 30B and the amount of light illuminated by the light reflecting member 31B are the same or substantially the same. It is attached in a state, and is configured such that light is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J1.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the front side illumination means 4 </ b> A is similar to the rear side illumination means 4 </ b> B in that the upper-side outer surface portion located on the upper side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group k located at the reflected light measurement location. A line-shaped light source 30A as an optical projection body configured by arranging two cylindrical fluorescent lamps that are directly illuminated, a diffuse reflector 32 provided on the back of the line-shaped light source 30A, and light emitted from the line-shaped light source 30A is reflected. The light reflection member 31A is provided as a light projection member that illuminates the lower outer surface portion located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group located at the reflected light measurement location J1 by the reflected light, and the reflected light measurement location The reflected light measurement point J1 is illuminated from the different illumination directions on the upper side of the transfer direction and the lower side of the transfer direction with respect to the rice grains of J1.
Although not shown, in the vicinity of the line-shaped light source 30B, the light is guided to the light reflecting member 31B, and the light beam traveling toward the reflected light measuring point J2 is narrowed in the width along the rice grain transfer direction. A guiding light adjustment mechanism is provided (see FIG. 12).

A state of illumination with respect to the measurement target portion J by the illumination unit 4 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the front side illumination means 4A, the light from the line light source 30A is directly projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2, and the light from the line light source 30A is guided to the light reflecting member 31A. Thus, the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2.
The illumination light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30A toward the reflected light measurement point J2 is projected in the form of a light flux so as to narrow the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains as it approaches the reflected light measurement point J2. It is comprised so that only the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated. On the other hand, the illumination light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected in the form of a light flux so that the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains becomes narrower as it approaches the reflected light measurement location J2, but the degree of diaphragm is projected to the line light source 30A. Compared with the reflected light measurement point J1, the transmitted light measurement point J2 is illuminated more loosely.
As described above, the front side illumination unit 4A is configured to illuminate the granular material located at the transmitted light measurement point J2 from the front side of the apparatus, and thus has a configuration that also serves as the transmitted light illumination unit.

  On the other hand, as with the front side illumination unit 4A, the rear side illumination unit 4B also projects the light from the line light source 30B directly toward the reflected light measurement point J2, as shown in FIG. The light from the light source 30B is guided to the light reflecting member 31B, and the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2. The illumination light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30A toward the reflected light measurement point J2 is projected in the form of a light flux so as to narrow the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains as it approaches the reflected light measurement point J2. It is comprised so that only the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated. On the other hand, the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected in the form of a light flux so that the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains becomes narrower as it approaches the reflected light measurement location J2, but the degree of diaphragm is projected to the line light source 30A. Compared to the reflected light measurement point J1, the transmitted light measurement point J2 is projected loosely.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the light directly projected from the line light sources 30A and 30B projects only the reflected light measurement point J1, but is directly projected from the line light sources 30A and 30B. The configuration may be such that light is projected not only on the reflected light measurement point J1 but also on the transmitted light measurement point J2.

  However, of the light projected from the rear side illumination means 4B, the light projected toward the transmitted light measurement point J2 is blocked by the light blocking member 38 described later so as not to reach the transmitted light measurement point J2. It becomes the composition which is done.

As shown in FIG. 6, the background light amount adjuster 4C is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the transmitted light measurement location J2 is viewed from the transmitted light receiving device 5C described later, and the device lateral width direction of the transmitted light measurement location J2 A plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 arranged side by side in a dense state, and light emitted by the plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 arranged on the light projection side of the area where the plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 are installed And a diffusing plate 34 to be diffused.
And as shown in FIG. 14, the light control apparatus 35 which can change and adjust the light emission output of several LED light emitting element 33 is provided, and the light quantity of the background light-received in the transmitted light light-receiving device 5C is the appropriate light quantity range which is mentioned later It is configured to be adjusted so that the light quantity value is within the range.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the front-side reflecting plate 4D for forming the background light is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the reflected light measurement location J1 is viewed from the rear-side reflected light receiving device 5B described later. The surface provided with the light reflectance is configured by a white plate, reflects the light from the line light source 30A, and receives the amount of background light received by the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B. The light quantity value is within the range.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rear-side reflecting plate 4E for forming the background light is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the reflected light measurement location J1 is viewed from the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A described later. The surface having a light reflectance of 1 is formed of a white plate, reflects the light from the line light source 30B, and the amount of background light received by the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is appropriate as described later. The light quantity value is within the light quantity range.

Next, the light receiving means 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving means 5 is located on the front side of the apparatus as one side with respect to the measurement target location J in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group, and receives the reflected light on the front side. Reflected light reception on the other side of the apparatus 5A and on the rear side of the apparatus as the other side, which is 180 degrees different from the position on one side with respect to the measurement target position J in the transfer direction of the rice grain group Rear side reflected light receiving device 5B as means, and transmitted light receiving device 5C as transmitted light receiving means for receiving transmitted light, located on the device rear side with respect to measurement target position J in the transfer direction view of rice grains. And is configured.

  Furthermore, to add a description, the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is configured to receive the light reflected by the front side illumination means 4A and reflected by the surface of the rice grain at the reflected light measurement point J1, and the rear part. The side reflected light receiving device 5B is configured to receive light that is illuminated by the rear side illumination means 4B at the reflected light measurement point J1 and reflected by the surface of the rice grain. Further, the transmitted light receiving device 5C is configured to receive light that has been illuminated by the front side illumination means 4A and transmitted through the rice grains at the transmitted light measurement position J2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C includes a plurality of unit light receiving portions 5a that receive light from the reflected light measurement point J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 along the width direction of the device. The detection light from the reflected light measurement point J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 is received in a resolution state where the range smaller than the size of the rice grain is the unit light receiving target range.

  That is, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C has a range p smaller than the size of each rice grain in the rice grain group (for example, a range smaller than 1/10 of the size of the rice grain) as each light receiving target range. A monochrome type CCD sensor unit 36 in which a plurality of unit light-receiving units 5a corresponding to the plurality of light-receiving target ranges are juxtaposed in line with each other corresponding to a wide measurement target portion J; And a condensing lens 37 that guides light received in a state having a viewing angle in the lateral direction of the apparatus to a plurality of unit light receiving portions 5a.

  Further, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C applies an image of the rice grain group k positioned at the measurement target location J to the entire width of the measurement target location J in the device width direction on each unit light receiving portion 5a of the CCD sensor unit 36. For example, the light receiving information is sequentially extracted from each unit light receiving unit 5a from the right end side to the left end side of the measurement target portion J in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear side illumination means 4B illuminates the reflected light measurement portion J1 to prevent the reflected light reflected from the rice grains from being received by the transmitted light receiving device 5C, and the rear side. In order to prevent the illumination light from the illumination unit 4B from reaching the transmitted light measurement point J2, a light shielding member 38 for shielding the reflected light and the illumination light is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the light shielding member 38 is a light shielding action portion 38A made of a substantially band plate-like member provided with its longitudinal direction extending along the apparatus lateral width direction. In addition, both side portions in the longitudinal direction are provided with attachment portions 38B that are bent in a substantially U shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The light shielding action part 38A has a shape in which a strip is bent in a substantially U shape with the upper face part 38a and the bent part 38b, and the upper face 38a has a side closer to the transmitted light measurement point J2. It is provided in an oblique position so that it is located at a higher position and is located downward as it is located on the rear side of the device farther from the transmitted light measurement point J2, and the rice grain group k flows downward without being placed on the upper surface 38a. Is configured to do. The light shielding member 38 is disposed in a state as close as possible to the transmitted light measurement point J2. The mounting structure of the light shielding member 38 will be described later.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 12, in the rear side illumination means 4B, the light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30B toward the reflected light measurement point J2 narrows the width of the light beam along the transfer direction of the rice grains. The light reflected by the light reflecting member 31B is projected not only to the reflected light measurement point J1 but also to the transmitted light measurement point J2. By providing the light shielding member 38 as described above, the light projected toward the transmitted light measurement point J2 out of the light projected from the rear side illumination unit 4B is shielded.

  The light shielding member 38 has a wide upper surface 38a in a direction intersecting the rice grain transfer direction, and the light from the rear illumination means 4B is applied to the rice grain group k located at the reflected light measurement point J1. The reflected light can be prevented from being guided to the transmitted light receiving device 5C.

A bent optical path forming means 39A for guiding light in a state where the optical axis is bent from the reflected light measuring portion J1 to the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is provided.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bent optical path forming means 39A reflects light directed toward the front of the apparatus along the direction substantially orthogonal to the transfer direction of the rice grain group from the reflected light measurement point J1 obliquely downward and forward. 40A of 1st reflectors, and the 2nd reflector which reflects the light reflected by the 1st reflector 40A to the front side reflected light light-receiving device 5A by reflecting upwards substantially parallel to the transfer direction of the rice grain group 41A. Each of the first reflector 40A and the second reflector 41A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its reflection surface being a mirror surface.

  Since the front side reflected light receiving device 5A includes the condenser lens 37 as described above and collects and receives the light from the measurement target portion J, for example, as shown in FIG. Since it has a viewing angle in the width direction, the width along the apparatus width direction can be configured to be narrower than the width of the measurement target location J (the width of the shooter 3C). The same applies to the other light receiving devices 5B and 5C.

  Similar to the bent optical path forming means 39A for the front side reflected light receiving device 5A, the bent optical path forming means 39B for the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B includes a first reflector 40B and a second reflector 41B. Since the arrangement configuration is only symmetric in the front and rear and the other configuration is the same, the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the optical axis CL1 of the reflected light received by the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the optical axis CL2 of the reflected light received by the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B are slightly up and down. Although it is in an inclined state, it is set to be in a state along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transfer of the rice grain group.

  The bent optical path forming means 39C for the transmitted light receiving device 5C is directed upward along the direction substantially parallel to the transfer direction of the rice grains by the light projected from the front side illumination means 4A and passing through the transmitted light measurement point J2. The first reflector 40C that reflects the light and the light reflected by the first reflector 40C is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction of the rice grain group and guided to the transmitted light receiving device 5C. The reflector 41C is provided. Each of the first reflector 40C and the second reflector 41C is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its reflection surface being a mirror surface.

The separation part is set in a state located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the transmitted light measurement part J2, and the air blowing device 6 is configured to blow air on the separation object determined to be separated. Has been.
In this air blowing device 6, a plurality of ejection nozzles 6a serving as air ejection portions are juxtaposed in a state corresponding to each section formed by dividing the entire width in the apparatus lateral width direction of the measurement target location J into a plurality of sections, and separated. The ejection nozzle 6a in the section where the object is present is configured to be operated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the air blowing device 6 includes an air manifold 42 that divides and supplies air to a plurality of ejection nozzles 6 a, and air as an air supply source provided outside the device with respect to the air manifold 42. Air is supplied from the compressor 44 through the pressure removal passage 43 through a filter 47 for removing dust. Further, the supply of air from the air manifold 42 to each of the plurality of ejection nozzles 6a is interrupted separately, and an electromagnetic valve 45 as a control valve that can be switched between a non-acting state in which air is not ejected and an operating state in which air is ejected. Is provided, and air is branched and supplied from the air manifold 42 to each of the ejection nozzles 6a from the respective electromagnetic valves 45 via piping that forms a flow path to each of the ejection nozzles 6a. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a pressure sensor 48 is provided as pressure detecting means for detecting the air pressure in the pressure supply passage 43.

  Each jet nozzle 6a is formed in a block body 6c made of metal such as aluminum, and an internal pipe 6b for supplying air to each jet nozzle 6a is also formed in the block body 6c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, each nozzle 6a is formed by the groove part formed in the upper surface of the block body 6c in the state connected with the internal piping 6b, and the board member 6d with which it mounted | worn from the upper side. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, normal rice grains k that are traveling as they are without being blown with air from the ejection nozzle 6 a are recovered from the rice grain groups k that flow down from the lower end of the shooter 3 </ b> C. Receiving part 49 for collecting normal grains, and separation objects separated from the flow of normal rice grains k by blowing air (for example, defective rice such as colored rice and cracked rice, stones and glass pieces) And a collection port 50 for collecting the separated product, and a normal particle collection port 49 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape in the lateral direction of the apparatus. A receiving part 50 for collecting separated matter is formed so as to surround the periphery of the mouth part 49.

The separation-collecting receiving port 50 has a receiving plate 50a for receiving the rice grains blown by the air and guiding them downward, on the lower side in the blowing direction of the air from the jet nozzle 6a, The separation target collected in the receiving part 50 for collecting separated matter is discharged from the separated outlet 52 to the outside. .
Further, the rice grains k collected at the receiving port 49 for collecting normal grains are supplied to the conveyance start end portion at the lower part of the discharging and conveying apparatus 8 by the normal grain guide 53, and are supplied by the discharging and conveying apparatus 8 for discharging. It is transported and discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the apparatus includes a light transmission window 59 that faces the measurement target portion J and is located on the rear side of the measurement target portion J, in other words, on the upper side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group in plan view. The rear side illumination means 4B and the rear side reflection plate 4E for forming background light are accommodated in a rear side illumination part accommodation case 54B formed in a state extending in the horizontal direction of the apparatus.

  Further, in the apparatus front side of the measurement target portion J, in other words, in a plan view, the light grain window 59 is located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group and has a light transmission window 59 facing the measurement target portion J, and in the lateral direction of the device. A front side illumination unit 4A, a background light amount adjuster 4C, and a front side reflection plate 4D for forming background light are accommodated in a front side illumination part storage case 54A formed in an extended state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rear side illumination unit storage case 54 </ b> B and the front side illumination unit storage case 54 </ b> A are integrally connected by side portions 54 c located on both sides in the apparatus lateral width direction to form one storage body. 54 is formed integrally.
As described above, the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B and the front side illumination unit storage case 54A are formed so as to extend in the lateral direction of the apparatus, respectively, and the rear side illumination means 4B and the rear side for forming the background light The reflecting plate 4E is stored in a state of being fixedly attached to the side surface portions 54c on both sides of the lighting unit storage case 54B by a bracket (not shown). Each of the front side illumination means 4A, the background light amount adjuster 4C, and the front side reflection plate 4D for forming the background light is formed by brackets (not shown) on the side portions 54c on both sides of the front side illumination unit storage case 54A. It is stored in a fixed state.

  Therefore, by providing the rear side illumination unit 4B and the rear side reflection plate 4E for forming the background light in the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B, the upper side illumination unit M1 that projects light toward the measurement target portion J is provided. It is configured. And this upper side illumination part M1 is installed in the state located in the upper side location in the transfer direction of a rice grain group. Further, by providing the front side illumination means 4A, the background light amount adjuster 4C, and the front side reflection plate 4D for forming the background light in the front side illumination unit storage case 54A, light is directed toward the measurement target portion J. A lower illumination unit M2 for projecting is configured. And this lower side illumination part M2 is installed in the state located in the lower side location in the transfer direction of a rice grain group.

As shown in FIG. 6, the front side camera case portion 55 </ b> A in which the front side reflected light receiving device 5 </ b> A is housed on the front side surface of the front side lighting unit storage case 54 </ b> A located on the front side of the device, and a bent optical path are formed. A front side light receiving part case 55 integrally formed with a front optical path forming case part 55B for accommodating the means 39A is connected and supported. As described above, the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A is provided narrower than the width of the measurement target location J in the lateral direction of the device, and as shown in FIG. The part case 55 is formed to be narrower than the storage body 54 in the lateral direction of the apparatus.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a slit hole 73 that is elongated along the lateral direction of the apparatus for allowing light from the reflected light measurement point J1 to pass through is formed on the front side surface of the front side illumination unit storage case 54A. ing.

  Therefore, the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A as the lower-side light receiving unit installed in the lower-side portion in the transfer direction of the rice grains in the plan view is lower than the lower-side illumination unit M2 in the horizontal direction of the device. The lower illuminating unit M2 is housed in a front side light receiving case 55 which is formed narrower than the lower illuminating unit M2 and is connected to and supported by the lower illuminating unit accommodating case 54.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the rear side of the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B on the rear side of the device, there is a first rear side camera case unit 56A that houses the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B, and transmitted light reception. The rear side light receiving part case 56 in which the second rear side camera case part 56B that houses the apparatus 5C and the rear optical path forming case part 56C that accommodates the bent optical path forming means 39B are integrally formed is connected and supported. Has been. And as above-mentioned, since the rear side reflected light light-receiving device 5B and the transmitted light light-receiving device 5C are provided narrower than the width of the measurement target location J in the device lateral width direction, as shown in FIG. The rear side light receiving unit case 56 is formed to be narrower than the storage body 54 in the apparatus lateral width direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the rear side surface of the rear-side illumination unit storage case 54B, a slit hole 74 that is elongated along the lateral direction of the device for allowing light from the reflected light measurement point J1 to pass through, and a transmission Slit holes 75 that are elongated along the lateral direction of the apparatus for allowing light from the optical measurement point J2 to pass therethrough are respectively formed.

  Therefore, the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B and the transmitted light receiving device 5C as the light receiving unit installed at the upper side position in the transfer direction of the rice grain group in the horizontal direction of the device are more in the horizontal direction than the upper side illumination unit M1. It is formed narrower than the upper-side illumination unit M <b> 2 stored in the storage body 54, and is stored in the front-side light receiving unit case 54 that is connected and supported by the lower-side illumination unit storage case 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the shooter 3 is provided in a state where the shooter 3 enters the space through which the rice grain group formed between the rear side lighting unit storage case 54B and the front side lighting unit storage case 54A passes. The air blowing device 6 is attached in a state where it is installed and supported across the side surface portions 54c on both sides of the storage body 54 in a state of being located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the target portion.

  If it demonstrates, as shown in FIG.6 and FIG.8, the support bracket 65 is connected in the state constructed over the side part 54c of the both sides in the storage body 54. FIG. The support bracket 65 is attached in such a manner that the flange portions 65a positioned on both sides in the lateral direction of the apparatus are screwed to laterally extending flange portions 54c1 formed on the side surface portions 54c on both sides.

  And the block body 6c which comprises the air spraying apparatus 6 is attached to the frame-shaped attachment part 65a of the front part side in the support bracket 65 in the state fixed with a screw. As shown in FIG. 10, a cylindrical receiving port forming member 49A for forming a receiving port 49 for collecting normal grains is attached to the front side of the block body 6c. The lateral side portion 49A1 of the receiving port forming member 49A is provided wide so as to prevent rice grains from scattering in the lateral direction of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an air manifold 42, a plurality of solenoid valves 45, a plurality of pipes, and the like are provided on the bottom surface portion 65 b of the support bracket 65 located on the back surface side of the block body 6 c, and each of these devices is provided. A cover body 66 is provided to cover the space to be separated from the region through which the rice grains pass. It can be connected to the block body 6a through an opening 65a1 formed in the frame-shaped mounting portion 65a.

  The cover body 66 is attached to the support bracket 65 by welding, screw fixing, or the like, and the upper surface 66a of the cover body 66 is at a high position on the side close to the measurement target location J, and is positioned on the rear side of the apparatus from the measurement target location J. The rice grain group k is configured to flow downward without being placed on the upper surface 66a.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the light shielding member 38 is attached to the cover body 66 in a state where the attachment portions 38B provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the device are fixed by welding or screwing. It has been. A gap Z is formed between the light shielding member 38A of the light shielding member 38 and the upper surface 66a of the cover body 66 so that transmitted light passes therethrough.

  In this granular material group sorting device, the rice grain group k fed to the feeding hopper 1 is lifted and transported and supplied to the storage hopper 3A and recovered from the receiving port 49 for normal grain recovery. The discharging and conveying device 8 for discharging and conveying the normal grains discharged from the discharging unit 7 provided on the upper side is better in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the upper side illumination unit M1 in the shooter 3C. It is equipped on the side of the side portion that is located closer to the shooter 3C than the positions of both end portions of the upper illumination unit M1 in the lateral width direction of the shooter 3C.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding / conveying device 2 for supply includes a driving wheel body 2 a located on the lower end side and a driven wheel body 2 b located on the upper end side inside a rectangular cylindrical frame 2 </ b> A in plan view. The endless rotating body 2c wound over the belt is constituted by a bucket-type transporting conveyor provided with a plurality of buckets 2d at appropriate intervals, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The rice grain group k input to the input hopper 1 provided is lifted and conveyed by the bucket 2d and supplied to the storage hopper 3A. The storage hopper 3A is formed with a see-through window 70 so that the supply state of the rice grain group k can be visually confirmed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, similarly to the supply lifting / conveying device 2, the discharge lifting / conveying device 8 is a driving wheel located on the lower end side inside a rectangular cylindrical frame 8 </ b> A in plan view. Consists of a bucket-type transporting conveyor having a plurality of buckets 8d at appropriate intervals with an endless rotating body 8c wound around a body 8a and a driven wheel 8b positioned on the upper end side, and recovering normal grains The normal rice grain group k recovered from the receiving port 49 for use and guided down by the guide plate 53 is lifted and conveyed by the bucket and supplied to the discharge unit 7.

  The feeding and conveying device 2 for supply and the lifting and conveying device 8 for discharging are respectively configured to perform a conveying operation by rotating the drive shafts 2e and 8e of the driving wheel bodies 2a and 8a located on the lower end side in the same direction. It is configured.

  The cylindrical frames 2A and 8A of the feeding and conveying device 2 for supply and the lifting and conveying device 8 for discharging constitute a part of the main frame portion F of this granular material sorting device. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, on the lower ends of the cylindrical frames 2A and 8A of the pair of conveying and conveying devices 2 and 8, on the front side of the device, that is, on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains in a plan view. The extending base frame 12 is connected, and a pair of left and right side plates 13 and 14 are provided in a state of being connected to the cylindrical frame bodies 2A and 8A and the base frame 12, and the pair of cylindrical frame bodies 2A and 8A. The main frame portion F is composed of the base frame 12 and the pair of left and right side plates 13 and 14. In FIG. 4, other members are omitted for easy understanding of the configuration of the main frame portion F.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base frame 12 includes a side portion 12a located on both sides in the left-right direction and a front portion 12b that connects the left and right side wall portions 12a, and is configured in a substantially U shape in plan view. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the electric motor 15 is provided in the state located in the internal space formed by them, and the state supported by the receiving stand 12c.
As shown in FIG. 2, the electric motor 15 is provided with an output shaft 15a projecting outward on both sides. A chain, a transmission belt, or the like extends over the output shaft 15a and each of the drive shafts 2e and 8e. The endless rotating body 16 is wound, and the drive shafts 2e and 8e are interlocked and connected by the electric motor 15 so as to be integrally rotated in the same direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage body 54 has a structure in which both side portions in the apparatus width direction are connected and supported by the left and right side plates 13 and 14, respectively. In other words, both sides of the storage body 54 in the lateral direction of the apparatus are installed and supported in a state of being inserted through the rectangular insertion holes 60 formed in the left and right side plates 13 and 14, respectively. The collar part formed in the peripheral part of the part 54c becomes a structure connected to the collar part formed in the circumference | surroundings of the penetration hole 60 of the side plates 13 and 14 with a screw.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, side covers 63 and 64 that cover the outer side are provided at the outer side portions of the left and right side plates 13 and 14 in the lateral direction of the device. A transmissive window 67 having transparent glass is formed on the side surface 54c of the housing 54, and the transmissive window 67 and the side plate 13 are formed on one side cover 63 positioned on the right side when viewed from the front of the apparatus. A see-through window 68 is formed so that the measurement target portion J can be visually monitored from the outside of the apparatus through the inserted through hole 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side plates 13, 14 on both the left and right sides are each formed with a flange portion whose peripheral edge portion is bent into a substantially U shape, and the side cover 63, 64 are formed, and spaces Q1 and Q2 are formed between the side plate 13 and the side cover 63 and between the side plate 14 and the side cover 64, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a control device 9 and a power supply device (not shown) are provided in a space Q1 formed by a gap between the right side plate 13 and the right side cover 63. It is configured to be attached to the side plate 13 in a fixed position. A solenoid valve drive circuit 29 is provided in the space Q2 formed by the gap between the left side plate 14 and the left side cover 64, and is attached to the left side plate 14 in a fixed position. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a support base 27 that supports the vibration feeder 3 </ b> B is connected and fixed in a state of being laid over the side plates 13 and 14. On the lower surface side of the support base 27, a rectangular tube-shaped cylindrical portion 28 that connects the right space Q1 and the left space Q2 is integrally connected, and the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 and the control unit 27 are controlled. The electrical wiring h that connects the device 9 is configured so as to be provided in a state of being inserted through the inside of the cylindrical portion 28.

  In addition, electrical wiring (not shown) connected to the line light sources 41A, 41B and the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, 5C is arranged through the inside of the storage body 54 and connected to the control device 9. . In this way, the electrical wiring h is prevented from being exposed in the measurement passing region through which the rice grains pass. There is a possibility that small animals such as mice may enter the place where the rice grains pass, but since the electrical wiring h is not exposed to the measurement passing area, disadvantages such as the electrical wiring being damaged by the small animals can be avoided. .

Next, the control configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, a control device 9 using a microcomputer is provided, and image signals from the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C and operation information from the operation panel 11 are input to the control device 9. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 11 is provided on the front cover 10 so as to face outward, so that various settings can be performed. On the other hand, from the control device 9, a drive signal for turning on the line light sources 30A and 30B and a solenoid valve drive circuit 29 for driving each solenoid valve 45 for intermittently supplying each air from the air manifold 42 to each jet nozzle 6a. , A drive signal for the vibration generator 26 for the vibration feeder 3B, and a signal for a control command to the light control device 35 are output.

And it is a granular material (including a defective rice grain and foreign matter such as pebbles and glass pieces) (hereinafter referred to as a separation object) based on the light receiving information of the light receiving means 5 using the control device 9. Supply unit control for controlling the operation of the vibration feeder 3B to change the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k on the basis of the detection information of the pressure sensor 48 and the evaluation processing means 100 for executing the granular material discrimination processing for discriminating whether or not Means 101 is configured.
The control device 9 outputs a drive signal to the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 so as to operate the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a when it is determined based on the determination result of the granular material determination processing that it is a granular material to be separated. It is configured.

Next, the evaluation processing unit 100 will be described.
The evaluation processing means 100 sets in advance the light quantity value obtained by receiving light at each unit light receiving unit 5a for each of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B for each unit light receiving unit 5a. It is determined for each unit light receiving unit 5a whether or not it is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, and the light quantity value obtained by receiving each unit light receiving unit 5a of the transmitted light receiving device 5C is determined for each unit. It is determined for each unit light receiving unit 5a whether or not the appropriate light amount range ΔEt set for each light receiving unit 5a is outside. In these determinations, the received light amount of any unit light receiving unit 5a is the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, When it is outside ΔEt, it is determined that it is a separation object.

  In addition, the evaluation processing means 100 performs a plurality of steps from the dark side to the bright side with respect to the set amount of received light amount data obtained by sampling for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C. A frequency distribution (also referred to as a histogram) is obtained for each divided light quantity value, and appropriate light quantity ranges ΔEh and ΔEt are set based on the frequency distribution.

Specifically, a set number of received light amount data for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C while flowing the rice grain group k in a state in which the illumination light amount of the line light sources 30A and 30B is sufficiently stable. Is sampled. In this case, the air blowing device 6 is not operated. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the evaluation processing means 100 has an upper end of a continuous area (indicated by hatching in the figure) in which the power value for each light quantity value continuously exists from the dark side to the bright side in the frequency distribution hg. The upper light amount value TH1 is set in correspondence with the vicinity position of the portion, the upper limit value T1 of the appropriate light amount range is set at a position away from the upper light amount value TH1 on the bright side, and the lower end of the continuous region The lower light amount value TH2 is set in correspondence with the vicinity position of the portion, and the lower limit value T2 of the appropriate light amount range is set at a position away from the lower light amount value TH2 to the dark side on the set light amount K2. ing. The set light amounts K1 and K2 are set in advance as control constants.
Although not described in detail, the upper light amount value TH1 and the lower light amount value TH2 are corrected based on the set number of received light amount data obtained at the set time with the sorting operation.

The appropriate light amount range ΔEt when the detection light is transmitted light will be described.
In the case of transmitted light, as shown in the output waveform of the transmitted light receiving device 5C in FIG. 16, it is normal when the output voltage corresponding to the received light amount of each unit light receiving unit 5a is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for the rice grain group k. The presence of defective rice grains (grains that are not separation targets) is determined, and the presence of defective rice grains or foreign substances (separation target objects) is determined when they are outside the set appropriate range ΔEt. Here, the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for transmitted light is set within a predetermined vertical range across the output voltage level e0 for standard transmitted light from normal rice grains.

  When the light amount is smaller than the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, the presence of defective rice grains or foreign matters (for example, black stone particles) whose transmittance is smaller than that of normal rice grains is determined, and when the light amount range is larger than the appropriate light amount range ΔEt. Then, the presence of the defective rice grains k or foreign matters on the bright side having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grains k is determined. As an example of the defective rice grain k or foreign matter on the bright side, a light colored transparent glass piece or the like becomes a foreign matter having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grain k, and the normal rice grain k is changed to “glutinous rice”. “Uruchi rice” becomes a defective rice grain k having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grain k.

  In FIG. 16, the output voltage (the amount of received light) of the unit light-receiving unit 5a includes a position where a partially colored portion exists in the rice grain k, a position of black stone or the like (indicated by e1), and a shell crack portion. At a position (indicated by e2), if there is a foreign substance or the like that is located below the appropriate light amount range ΔEt and has a larger transmittance than normal rice grains, the appropriate light amount range as shown at position e4. The state in which it is located above ΔEt is illustrated.

Next, the appropriate light amount range ΔEh when the detection light is reflected light will be described.
In the case of reflected light, as shown in the output waveform of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A (or rear side reflected light receiving device 5B) in FIG. 17, the output voltage corresponding to the received light amount of each unit light receiving unit 5a. Is within the proper light amount range ΔEh, the presence of normal rice grains is determined, and when the light amount is outside the proper light amount range ΔEh, the presence of defective rice grains or the presence of foreign matter is determined. Here, the appropriate light amount range ΔEh for reflected light is set to a range of a predetermined vertical width across the output voltage level e0 ′ for standard reflected light from normal rice grains.

  In FIG. 17, at the position where the partially colored portion is present in the rice grain k (indicated by e1 ′) and the position where the shell crack portion is present (indicated by e2 ′), it is deviated from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh. The state is illustrated, and when a foreign object such as a glass piece is present, the state of being out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEh as illustrated at position e3 ′ by strong direct reflected light from the foreign object is illustrated. . Although not shown, black stones and the like have a very low reflectance, so that they greatly deviate from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh in the waveform.

  As described above, the upper limit value T1 of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, ΔEh (corresponding to transmitted light or reflected light) to be set and corrected for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C, and The value of the lower limit value T2 is stored as a lookup table for defect detection processing in a memory LUT (for front reflected light, rear reflected light, and transmitted light LUT) in the control device 24.

And the process which discriminate | determines whether it is a separation target object, conveying the rice grain group k used as discrimination | determination object by the transfer means 3 is performed as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the light quantity value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C is transferred to the position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving units −1] while transferring the rice grain group k. ]) In association with (step 1). Next, determination processing of the light quantity value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C is executed (step 2). Specifically, based on the light amount value j of each of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B, it is represented by position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving units-1]). For each unit light receiving unit 5a, if the light amount value j is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, it is determined that the rice is normal, and if the light amount value j is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, it is determined that the object is a separation object. To do. Similarly, in the transmitted light receiving device 5C, the light amount value j is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for each unit light receiving portion 5a represented by the position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving portions −1]). It is determined whether or not.

  When the light amount value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of either the front side reflected light receiving device 5A or the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh and is determined to be a separation target, the reflected light After the first delay time t1 required to reach the separation location from the measurement location J1, the air is ejected from the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a in the air blowing device 6 (steps 3, 4, and 7).

  Further, when the light amount value j of any unit light receiving unit 5a of the transmitted light receiving device 5C is out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt and is determined to be a separation target, the transmitted light measurement point J2 reaches the separation point. After the second delay time t2 required for the elapse of time, a drive signal is output to the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 so that air is ejected from the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a in the air blowing device 6 (steps 5, 6, and 7). The electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 operates the electromagnetic valve 45 corresponding to the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a to eject air from the ejection nozzle 6a.

  In this way, air is blown from the respective ejection nozzles 6a in the section corresponding to the position of the separation object to separate it from normal rice grains, and the separated object is collected in the receiving port 50 for collecting the separated object. On the other hand, normal rice grains that have not been identified as separation objects are collected in the receiving part 49 for collecting normal grains.

  The separation object collected at the separation collection outlet 50 is discharged to the outside from the separation outlet 52, and the normal rice grain group k collected at the normal grain collection receptacle 49 is a guide plate. It is guided down by 53 and supplied to the transport start end portion of the lower part of the discharge transporting device 8, and is transported by the discharge transporting device 8, and is discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the device.

Next, the supply amount control unit 101 will be described.
When the pressure of air detected by the pressure sensor 48 is higher than a preset lower limit value, the supply amount control means 101 has a transfer means 3 when the detected pressure is low and when the detected pressure is high. The operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled so as to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure so as to reduce the transfer flow rate by, and when the detected pressure is lower than the lower limit value, the transfer of the rice grain group k by the transfer means is stopped. Accordingly, the operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled.

  Specifically, the supply amount control unit 101 adjusts the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k to the first set value if the detected pressure Px of the pressure sensor 48 is higher than the preset switching determination value Ps2, and If the detected pressure Px is equal to or less than the switching determination value Ps2, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to a second set value that is smaller than the first set value by a set amount, and the transfer flow rate is adjusted based on the detected pressure Px. The operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled to be changed.

More specifically, the granular material discrimination process is executed by the evaluation processing unit 100 while the granular material group to be selected is actually transferred by the transfer unit, and the evaluation target is separated by the evaluation processing unit 100. The process of separating the granular material determined to be a granular material with the air ejection device 6 is performed on a trial basis, and a transfer flow rate value capable of performing the separation processing in an appropriate state is obtained. The transfer flow value is set as the first set value.
Specifically, when operating while transferring the rice grain group k on a trial basis, the transfer flow rate of the vibration feeder 3B is manually changed by operating the operation panel 11, and the separation process is performed in an appropriate state. The transfer flow value that can be obtained is obtained.

Next, when the sorting process for the rice grain group k to be sorted is started, the supply amount control unit 101 executes the flow rate adjusting process of the transfer unit 3 based on the pressure detection. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the flow rate adjustment process is started, the detected pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 48 is input (step 10), and it is determined whether or not the detected pressure Px is equal to or lower than a preset lower limit value Ps1. (Step 11). If the detected pressure Px is not lower than the lower limit value Ps1 set in advance but higher than the lower limit value Ps1, then the detected pressure Px is lower than the switching determination value Ps2 set as a pressure higher than the lower limit value Ps1. Is determined (step 12). When it is determined in step 12 that the detected pressure Px is not lower than the switching determination value Ps2 but higher than the switching determination value Ps2, the transfer flow rate is unchanged, that is, the first set as the initial value. When the set pressure is maintained and the detected pressure Px is equal to or lower than the switching determination value Ps2, the air pressure is insufficient by a not-shown notification means (for example, a voice-type notification means or a message display-type notification means). And the operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled so as to adjust the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group to a second set value which is smaller than the first set value by a set amount (steps 13 and 14). Specifically, the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group is adjusted to the second set value by changing the conveyance speed of the vibration feeder 3B. Then, after adjusting the transfer flow rate to the second set value, the transfer flow rate is maintained at the second set value.

  If it is determined in step 11 that the detected pressure Px has decreased to the lower limit value Ps1 or less, it is difficult to blow off the separation object with air and separate it. Then, it is informed that the state is abnormal by a voice notification unit, a message display type notification unit, or the like, and the operation of the vibration feeder 3B is stopped (steps 15 and 16).

  When it is determined in step 12 that the detected pressure Px is higher than the switching determination value Ps2, the process of maintaining the initial flow rate as the transfer flow rate, that is, the initially set first set value, is the rice grain. This corresponds to the process of adjusting the transfer flow rate of the group k to the first set value.

[Another embodiment]
Next, another embodiment of the particulate inspection apparatus will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, when the detected pressure Px is higher than the lower limit value Ps1, if the detected pressure Px is higher than a preset switching determination value Ps2, the first set value that is initially set is maintained. When the detected pressure Px drops below the switching determination value Ps2, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to a second set value that is smaller than the first set value by a set amount. The following configuration can be implemented.
For example, a plurality of different values from a high value to a low value are set as switching determination values, and the lower the switching determination value, the lower the flow rate becomes. Set the transfer flow rate adjustment value, and when the detected pressure drops below one of the switching determination values, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is set so that the transfer flow rate adjustment value corresponds to the switching determination value. It is good also as a structure to adjust.

(2) In the above embodiment, the transfer means 3 is configured to include the grooved shooter 25 formed in a state where the linear grooves m are arranged in a plurality of rows along the path width direction. A flat shooter formed on a flat guide surface over the entire width in the lateral direction of the path may be provided. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which transfers a granular material group in the state arranged in a line in one row instead of what moves a granular material group in the state where several rows are arranged side by side.

(3) In the above embodiment, a fluorescent lamp that is a linear light source is used as the illumination unit 4. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a large number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in parallel in the horizontal width direction. It can be implemented in various forms such as using an LED array.

(4) In the above embodiment, the configuration including the light-reflecting bent optical path forming means 39A, 39B, 39C that folds the light from the measurement target portion J in the optical axis direction and guides it to the light receiving means 5 is exemplified. Instead of such a configuration, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the light receiving means 5 receives the light from the measurement target portion J as it is.

(5) In the above embodiment, the light receiving means 5 may be a camera tube type television camera in addition to the monochrome type CCD sensor. Further, instead of a monochrome type, a color type CCD sensor may be used, and for example, the presence or absence of defective rice or foreign matter may be determined with higher accuracy from the amount of received light for each of the color information R, G, and B.

(6) In the above embodiment, when the evaluation processing unit 100 evaluates the granular material based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 5, the light received by the light receiving unit 5 is received. If the amount does not deviate from the appropriate light amount range (ΔEh, ΔEt), it is determined as a normal object, and if the amount of received light is outside the appropriate light amount range, it is determined as an abnormal object. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the size of the granular material is evaluated to select a small granular material and a large granular material.

(7) In the above embodiment, the case where the granular material group is the rice grain group is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, resin pellets.

  The present invention is different from other granular groups by ejecting air to granular objects to be separated while allowing the granular groups such as rice grains to pass through the measurement target portion in a state where the granular groups such as rice grains are spread in the horizontal direction. The present invention can be applied to a granular material sorting device that is separated into a path.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Transfer means 3B Vibrating feeder 3C Flowing guide plate 4 Illumination means 5 Light receiving means 5a Unit light receiving part 6 Air ejecting means 6a Air ejecting part 44 Air supply source 48 Pressure detecting means 100 Evaluation processing means 101 Supply amount control means Ps1 Lower limit value Ps2 Switching Judgment value Px detection pressure

Claims (4)

A transfer means for transferring the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target portion in a state where the granular material group is in a single layer and spread in the width direction;
A light receiving means provided in a state in which a plurality of light receiving portions that receive light from the measurement target location correspond to each of the portions divided along the width direction of the measurement target location;
Illumination means for illuminating the entire width or substantially the entire width of the measurement target location,
Evaluation processing means for executing, for each of the plurality of light receiving units, a granular material determination process for determining whether or not a light amount value received by the light receiving unit is a granular material to be separated depending on whether or not the light amount is out of an appropriate light amount range. When,
In order to separate the granular material, which is determined to be a granular material to be separated by the evaluation processing means, in a different path from the other granular material group at the separation location on the lower side in the granular material transport direction from the measurement target location. A granular material sorting apparatus provided with air jetting means provided with a plurality of air jetting parts for jetting air along the width direction of the measurement target portion,
The transfer means is configured to freely change and adjust the transfer flow rate of the granular material group,
A pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of the air supplied from the air supply source to the air ejection means, and the transfer flow rate is less when the detection pressure detected by the pressure detection means is low than when the detection pressure is high And a supply amount control means for controlling the operation of the transfer means so as to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure.   If the detected pressure is higher than a preset switching determination value, the supply amount control means adjusts the transfer flow rate of the granular material group to the first set value, and the detected pressure is the switching determination value. If it is below, the transfer means is operated to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure in a form in which the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to a second set value that is smaller than the first set value by a set amount. The granular material sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the granular material sorting device is configured to control the above.   The supply amount control means controls the operation of the transfer means to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure when the detected pressure is higher than a preset lower limit value, and the detection 3. The granular material sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the pressure is lower than the lower limit value, the operation of the transfer means is controlled so as to stop the transfer of the granular material group by the transfer means.   The transfer means is a vibration feeder that discharges the granular material group in a single layer and a laterally widened state, and a downward flow guide while maintaining the laterally expanded state of the granular material group discharged by the vibrating feeder. The flow rate of the granular material group is changed and adjusted by changing the conveying speed of the granular material group due to the vibration of the vibration feeder. The granular material sorting apparatus according to any one of?

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