JP5779393B2 - Fruit selection system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fruit selection system that places a placing table on which fruits and vegetables are placed on a conveyor and conveys it in the carrying direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fruit selection system is known in which a table on which fruits and vegetables are placed is placed on a conveyor and conveyed in the conveyance direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such a fruit selection system, in general, fruits and vegetables are manually placed on a placing table (see, for example, Patent Document 2) in the upstream portion of the transport path. And after the said fruits and vegetables are sorted according to a grade and a class by the quality measurement process provided in the middle part of the conveyance path, in the downstream part of the conveyance path, the said fruits and vegetables are predetermined using an air adsorption type transfer device or the like. It is transferred to a tray or the like. In the transfer path of such a fruit selection system, it has conventionally been desirable to align the mounting direction of the mounting table on the conveyor in a certain direction.

When a specific example is given and explained, for example, when fruits and vegetables having a piece (common name) such as a strawberry and being easily damaged are selected using the above selection system, a tray is placed on the tray. In order to prevent the edible portion from being damaged as much as possible at the time of transfer to the like, the sepal piece is adsorbed by the adsorbing portion of the transfer device. However, since the fruits and vegetables are manually mounted on the mounting table, it is difficult to set the arrangement direction of the sepal portion on each mounting table to be strictly constant. There is a variation in the arrangement direction, and therefore, there is a case where the piece portion cannot be adsorbed well by the adsorbing portion of the transfer device.
Alternatively, when measuring the quality such as sugar content by irradiating the fruits and vegetables placed on the placing table in the quality measurement process, in order to make the measurement conditions in each fruits and vegetables the same, the arrangement direction of the sepal portion of the fruits and vegetables There was a case where I wanted to align in a certain direction.

  However, in the case of a selection system using a mounting table as described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, there is no directionality on the mounting table, and a mechanism that aligns the mounting direction of the mounting table in a certain direction. It was difficult to provide.

JP 2007-327906 A JP 2005-74340 A

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a fruit selection system capable of aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting table with respect to the conveyance direction in a desired direction.

The invention according to claim 1 is a fruit selection system in which a substantially cylindrical mounting table on which fruits and vegetables are mounted is placed on a conveyor and transported in a transport direction , wherein an eccentric notch is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table , The eccentric notch is centered on the central axis shifted from the central axis of the mounting table in plan view, and has a circular shape smaller than the outer shape of the mounting table, and is mounted by cutting the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table. It is formed in a circular shape eccentric with respect to the axis of the mounting table, has a predetermined width in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to extend in parallel with the conveying direction above the conveyor. A first guide that comes into contact with the first guide above the conveyor, and arranged so as to gradually approach the first guide on the downstream side in the transport direction, and is fitted to the eccentric notch portion of the mounting table. is provided a second guide abutting on the side surface of the eccentric notch, the transport direction The distance between the first guide and the second guide on the upstream side is set to a dimension longer than the diameter of the eccentric notch, and the distance between the first guide and the second guide on the downstream side in the transport direction is Set to substantially the same size as the diameter of the eccentric notch, and as the mounting table is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction, the side surface of the second guide abuts against the side surface of the eccentric notch, The side surface is pushed and rotated by the second guide, and is aligned in a predetermined direction on the conveyor .

  Therefore, the mounting table is rotated on the conveyor while passing between the first guide and the second guide.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fruit selection system according to the first aspect, the eccentric notch portions of the mounting table are formed at a plurality of positions above and below in the axial direction of the mounting table.

  Therefore, when the second guide corresponding to each eccentric notch and the first guide paired with the second guide are appropriately installed at desired positions on the transport path, the mounting table is provided at a plurality of positions on the transport path. In FIG. 2, the sheet is rotated on the conveyor while passing between the corresponding first guide and second guide.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fruit selection system according to the first or second aspect, the sensor is arranged in the middle of the transport path and detects the timing of passage of the mounting table, and the mounting table A magnetic body affixed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface, an electromagnet disposed above the conveyor and downstream of the magnetic body in a transport direction, and the electromagnet based on the detection result of the sensor A control device that determines the start and end timing of energization and performs energization to the electromagnet according to the timing, and when the energization to the electromagnet is started, the magnetic material is attracted to the electromagnet, and the mounting table Is fixed and the magnetic material is attracted, the mounting table on the conveyor continues to be conveyed in the conveying direction, and the mounting table rotates on the conveyor with the connecting portion as a fulcrum, and is adjusted in a predetermined direction. It is intended to be.

  Therefore, while the electromagnet is energized, the mounting table is rotated on the conveyor by fixing the magnetic material to the electromagnet.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to align the placement direction of the mounting table with respect to the transport direction in a desired direction. Further, it is possible to realize a mechanism for aligning the placement direction of the mounting table without increasing the manufacturing cost.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the placement direction of the mounting table with respect to the transport direction can be aligned with a desired direction at each of a plurality of positions on the transport path.

  According to invention of Claim 3, even when a long space cannot be ensured in the conveyance direction for arrange | positioning a 1st guide and a 2nd guide on a conveyor, the arrangement direction with respect to the conveyance direction of a mounting base is desired. Can be aligned in the direction.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the selection system which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. A white arrow in the figure indicates a direction in which the mounting table is transported (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction). It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mounting base comprised by the selection system which concerns on 1st embodiment. (A) is a top view similarly. (B) is a bottom view of the same. (A) is also a front view. (B) is also a rear view. (A) is a right side view similarly. (B) is AA sectional drawing in Fig.3 (a). The dashed-two dotted line in the figure has shown the external shape of the fruit and vegetables mounted in the mounting base. It is a top view which shows the structure of a 1st alignment mechanism, and has shown the process by which a mounting base rotates and is aligned on a conveyor. The white arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction. A thick line arrow in the figure indicates a direction in which the mounting table rotates. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a 1st alignment mechanism, and has shown the state when seeing an upstream from the conveyance direction downstream. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the fruit selection system which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mounting base comprised in the fruit selection system which concerns on 2nd embodiment. (A) is a top view similarly. (B) is a bottom view of the same. (A) is also a front view. (B) is also a rear view. (A) is a right side view similarly. (B) is BB sectional drawing in Fig.10 (a). The dashed-two dotted line in the figure has shown the external shape of the fruit and vegetables mounted in the mounting base. It is a top view which shows the structure of the 1st alignment mechanism with which the selection system which concerns on 2nd embodiment is equipped, and has shown the process by which a mounting base rotates and is aligned on a conveyor. The white arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction. A thick line arrow in the figure indicates a direction in which the mounting table rotates. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st alignment mechanism comprised in the fruit selection system which concerns on 2nd embodiment, and has shown the state when seeing an upstream from the conveyance direction downstream. It is a top view which shows the structure of a 2nd alignment mechanism, and has shown the process by which a mounting base rotates and is aligned on a conveyor. The white arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction. A thick line arrow in the figure indicates a direction in which the mounting table rotates. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a 2nd alignment mechanism, and has shown the state when seeing an upstream from the conveyance direction downstream. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the fruit selection system which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mounting base comprised by the selection system which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of a 3rd alignment mechanism, and has shown the process by which a mounting base rotates and is aligned on a conveyor. The white arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction. The dotted line in the figure shows how the mounting table fixed to the electromagnet rotates. It is a top view which shows progress in which a mounting base is aligned by the 3rd alignment mechanism, (a) is a figure which shows the state when electricity supply to an electromagnet is started, (b) is the middle from the start of electricity supply to completion | finish. (C) is a figure which shows the state immediately before the energization to an electromagnet is complete | finished.

<First embodiment>
Below, the selection system 1 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  The fruit selection system 1 is configured to place the placing table 5 on which the fruits and vegetables 6 are placed on the conveyor 10 and transport the fruits and vegetables 6 in the transport direction, sort the fruits and vegetables 6 according to grade and class, and pack them in a tray 8 or a pack. Is.

  In the following description, the fruits and vegetables 6 will be described as being strawberries, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fruits and vegetables 6 are other types of fruits and vegetables having sepals such as cherry tomatoes and mizunas. There may be.

  Below, the whole structure of the selection system 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In the fruit selection system 1, the fruit and vegetable placement unit 30, the quality measurement unit 40, and the transfer unit 50 are arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction along the conveyor 10 (the belt conveyor in the present embodiment) that transports the mounting table 5. Is done.

  In the fruits and vegetables placing part 30, fruits and vegetables 6 and 6... Are placed on the placing tables 5 and 5 by an operator arranged on one side or both sides of the conveyor 10.

  In the quality measuring unit 40, the quality of each fruit or vegetable 6 placed on the placing table 5, 5... Is measured. The quality measuring unit 40 of the present embodiment is provided with a photographing unit 41 that photographs the fruits and vegetables 6 with a camera, an internal quality measuring unit 42 that measures the internal quality such as sugar content by irradiating the fruits and vegetables 6 with light. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the mass measurement part etc. which measure the mass of the fruits and vegetables 6 are provided. In addition, downstream from the quality measuring unit 40, when the fruits and vegetables 6 are not accurately placed on the placing table 5 in the fruits and vegetables placing unit 30, from the downstream side of the quality measuring unit 40 to the upstream end of the conveyor 10. A return line 12 for returning the mounting table 5 is provided.

  In the transfer part 50, each fruit and vegetables 6 is conveyed to the line (in this embodiment, one of four lines) corresponding to every grade and class based on the measurement result in the quality measurement part 40, and the mounting base 5 To the tray 8. In this embodiment, when the fruits and vegetables 6 are transferred from the mounting table 5 to the tray 8, an air adsorption transfer device 51 is used.

  In addition, the mounting table 5 provided in the selection system 1 of the present embodiment has a directionality, unlike a well-known mounting table that is often used conventionally. Specifically, the mounting table 5 is provided with a notch portion 5i for arranging the sepal portion 6b of the fruit and vegetables 6, and the arrangement direction of the sepal portion 6b of the fruit and vegetable 6 with respect to the mounting table 5 is a fixed direction. (See FIG. 5B).

  In addition, a first alignment mechanism 100 is provided between the photographing unit 41 and the internal quality measurement unit 42 in the conveyance path of the fruit selection system 1 for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 5. It has been. By providing the first alignment mechanism 100, the arrangement direction of the notch 5i of the mounting table 5 conveyed to the internal quality measuring unit 42 is aligned in a certain direction, and as a result, the strip portion 6b of the fruit 6 Are arranged in a certain direction, and the places where the sugar content and the like of the fruits and vegetables 6 are measured in the internal quality measuring unit 42 can be arranged in a certain place.

  Further, the first alignment mechanism 100 is also provided upstream (before) the transfer device 51 in each line of the transfer unit 50. The first alignment mechanism 100 is provided in each line. By providing the first alignment mechanism 100, the arrangement direction of the notches 5i of the mounting table 5 conveyed in the vicinity of the transfer device 51 is aligned in a certain direction, and as a result, the strip portion 6b of the fruits and vegetables 6 is arranged. Are arranged in a certain direction, and the sepal portions 6b of the fruits and vegetables 6 are easily adsorbed by the adsorbing portion of the transfer device 51.

  Below, the mounting base 5 comprised in the selection system 1 which concerns on 1st embodiment is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The mounting table 5 is a transfer pan on which the fruits and vegetables 6 are mounted. The mounting table 5 is formed with a mounting member 5d, a notch 5i, a through hole 5j, an outer circumferential groove 5k, an eccentric notch 5p, and the like on a cylindrical member composed of an upper surface 5a, a bottom surface 5b, and an outer peripheral surface 5c. It is constituted by.

  The placement portion 5d is a concave portion for placing and holding fruits and vegetables. The mounting portion 5d is mainly composed of four inclined surfaces 5e, 5f, 5g, and 5h formed on the upper surface. The inclined surfaces 5e, 5f, 5g, and 5h are disposed so as to surround the axis of the mounting table 5 in a plan view, and are formed so as to be lowered toward the axis of the mounting table 5, thereby forming a recess. . In the present embodiment, the concave portion (mounting portion 5d) formed by the inclined surfaces 5e, 5f, 5g, and 5h has a quadrangular pyramid shape having a substantially rhombic bottom surface. The placement portion 5d is configured to be larger than the fruits and vegetables 6 so that the fruits and vegetables 6 to be placed (see FIG. 5B) are accommodated.

  The cutout portion 5i is formed by cutting out a part from the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5 to the mounting portion 5d. The notch 5i is formed across the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5 from between the adjacent inclined surface 5e and the inclined surface 5f. In addition, the notch part 5i is a part for arrange | positioning the piece part 6b of the fruits and vegetables 6 as mentioned above. Specifically, a curved surface portion 5m formed by cutting out a connection portion between the placement portion 5d and the notch portion 5i in an arc shape between the placement portion 5d and the notch portion 5i in plan view. Provided. The curved surface portion 5m has a shape in which the central portion is recessed, and the curved surface portion 5m can stably hold one side of the fruits and vegetables 6 at the center of the cutout portion 5i in front view.

  The through-hole 5j is a hole formed so as to penetrate the upper surface 5a and the bottom surface 5b at the center (axial center portion) in plan view of the mounting table 5 (see FIG. 3). The through hole 5j has a circular shape in plan view. The diameter of the through hole 5j is formed to be smaller than the fruits and vegetables 6 placed on the placing table 5. The through-hole 5j is for allowing light irradiated by an internal quality determination device (not shown) included in the internal quality measurement unit 42 of the quality measurement unit 40 to pass therethrough.

  The outer peripheral groove 5k is a groove formed over the entire circumference in the upper and lower middle part of the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5. By forming the outer peripheral groove 5k in the mounting table 5, when the plurality of mounting tables 5, 5... Are conveyed by the conveyor 10, even when the adjacent mounting tables 5 come into contact with each other, A gap (gap in the outer peripheral groove 5k portion) is formed between the mounting tables 5. Even if the mounting bases 5 adjacent to each other on the conveyor 10 are in contact with each other by disposing an optical sensor that irradiates detection light in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction at the same height as the outer peripheral groove 5k. The table 5 can be recognized.

  The eccentric notch 5p is a notch (eccentric groove) formed by notching the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5. The eccentric notch 5 p is formed in a circular shape eccentric to the axis of the mounting table 5 on the outer peripheral surface 5 c of the mounting table 5. In other words, the outer shape of the eccentric notch 5p is a circle centered on a point (center axis O2) shifted from the center axis O1 of the mounting table 5 in plan view and bottom view. A circular shape smaller than the outer shape (see FIG. 3). The eccentric notch 5p has a predetermined width in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the width is larger than the vertical thickness of the second guide 120 described later. Is set. In addition, the eccentric notch part 5p of this embodiment is formed in the lower end part of the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting base 5 (refer FIG.4 and FIG.5).

  Although not shown, ID recognition means is attached to the outer peripheral surface 5 c or the bottom surface of the mounting table 5. Specifically, the ID recognition means of the mounting table 5 is configured by, for example, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a magnetic tape, an IC chip, or the like. A recognition number is written on the ID recognition means of the mounting table 5. The recognition number in the ID recognition unit of the mounting table 5 is read by the reading unit (not shown) in the quality measuring unit 40 and the transfer unit 50.

  Hereinafter, the first alignment mechanism 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The first alignment mechanism 100 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 5, 5,. In other words, the first alignment mechanism 100 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 5, 5. The first alignment mechanism 100 includes an eccentric notch 5 p formed on the mounting table 5, and a first guide 110 and a second guide 120 arranged in a pair above the conveyor 10.

  The eccentric notch 5p is formed on the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5 as described above.

  The first guide 110 is a long rod-like member having a rectangular shape in cross section. The first guide 110 is disposed on the right side in the transport direction above the conveyor 10. The first guide 110 is provided in parallel with the conveying surface of the conveyor 10, and the lower end surface thereof is higher than the upper surface 5 q (bottom surface) of the eccentric notch 5 p of the mounting table 5 disposed on the conveyor 10. Placed in. The first guide 110 extends in parallel with the transport direction.

  The second guide 120 is a long rod-shaped member having a rectangular shape in cross section. The second guide 120 is disposed on the left side in the transport direction above the conveyor 10. The second guide 120 is provided in parallel with the conveying surface of the conveyor 10, and the upper end surface of the second guide 120 is lower than the upper surface 5 q (bottom surface) of the eccentric notch 5 p of the mounting table 5 disposed on the conveyor 10. Placed in. The second guide 120 is disposed opposite to the first guide 110 and is disposed obliquely in plan view so as to gradually approach the first guide 110 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 on the upstream side in the transport direction is longer than the diameter X (see FIG. 5) of the eccentric notch 5 p of the mounting table 5. Set to dimensions. Further, the distance between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 on the downstream side in the transport direction is set to be approximately the same as the diameter X of the eccentric notch 5 p of the mounting table 5.

  In the first alignment mechanism 100 configured as described above, the mounting table 5 has the outer peripheral surface 5c in contact with the side surface 110b of the first guide 110 and is guided by the first guide 110 in the transport direction. It is conveyed between the guide 110 and the second guide 120. Then, as it is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction, the second guide 120 is deeply fitted into the eccentric notch 5p. The side surface 120b of the second guide 120 is the side surface 5r of the eccentric notch 5p at a position midway from the start end (upstream end) to the end (downstream end) of the first guide 110 and the second guide 120. It will be in the state contact | abutted. From this state, when the mounting table 5 is further transported downstream in the transport direction, the side surface 5r of the eccentric notch 5p is pushed by the second guide 120, and the mounting table 5 is rotated on the conveyor 10.

  The first alignment mechanism 100 will be described with a specific example. For example, when the mounting table 5 is transported between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 in the state shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 6D, the side surface 120b of the second guide 120 is in contact with the side surface 5r of the eccentric notch 5p. Then, along with the conveyance by the conveyor 10, it is rotated counterclockwise in plan view from the state shown in FIG. 6D, and after the states shown in E and F of FIG. 6, the state shown in G of FIG. It becomes. That is, as the distance between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the mounting table 5 is rotated, and finally the eccentric notch 5p ( The side surface 120b of the second guide 120 is in contact with the side surface 5r of the eccentric notch 5p at a position where the radial depth of the eccentric groove) is the deepest (state shown in FIG. 6G). In other words, the position where the eccentric notch 5p has the smallest distance between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120, that is, the central axis O2 of the eccentric notch 5p is the first guide 110 and the second guide. The stage 5 is moved to an intermediate position on the most downstream side of 120, and the mounting table 5 is aligned in a predetermined direction.

  As described above, when the mounting table 5 of the present embodiment has been transported downstream of the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 by the first alignment mechanism 100 in the transport direction, the notch portion 5i is in the transport direction. Are aligned in a posture directed to the left at a direction of 45 degrees (state shown in FIG. 6H). However, by changing the position of the central axis O2 of the eccentric notch 5p, the direction of the aligned notch 5i can be changed to an arbitrary direction.

  As described above, the fruit selection system 1 according to the present embodiment is a fruit selection system in which the substantially cylindrical mounting table 5 on which the fruits and vegetables 6 are placed is placed on the conveyor 10 and conveyed in the conveying direction. An eccentric notch 5p formed in a circular shape eccentric to the axis of the mounting table 5 on the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5, and arranged so as to extend parallel to the conveying direction above the conveyor 10, The first guide 110 that abuts on the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5 is disposed so as to face the first guide 110 above the conveyor 10 and gradually approach the first guide 110 on the downstream side in the transport direction. And a second guide 120 fitted in the eccentric notch 5p of the mounting table 5. Therefore, the mounting table 5 is rotated on the conveyor 10 while passing between the first guide 110 and the second guide 120.

  Therefore, the arrangement direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the mounting table 5 can be aligned with a desired direction (in this embodiment, the direction in which the notch portion 5i is directed to the left at 45 degrees with respect to the conveyance direction). Further, a mechanism for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting table 5 can be realized without increasing the manufacturing cost.

  In addition, by arranging the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 on the conveyor 10 to be reversed left and right, the direction in which the mounting table 5 is aligned is 45 degrees to the right with respect to the conveyance direction. It is possible to change the direction in which it is directed to.

<Second embodiment>
Below, the selection system 2 which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. The fruit selection system 2 according to the second embodiment includes a second alignment mechanism 200 for aligning the mounting table 5 in a direction different from the direction in which the mounting table 5 is aligned by the first alignment mechanism 100. Specifically, the fruit selection system 2 includes the second alignment mechanism 200 in place of the first alignment mechanism 100 between the photographing unit 41 and the internal quality measurement unit 42 in the transport path. It is different from the fruit selection system 1 according to the form. Moreover, it differs from the selection system 1 which concerns on 1st embodiment by the point which replaces with the mounting base 5 and comprises the mounting base 7. FIG. In the following, description of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and parts having different structures will be mainly described.

  The mounting table 7 provided in the fruit selection system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The mounting table 7 is a transporting pan on which the fruits and vegetables 6 are mounted. The mounting table 7 includes a mounting member 7d, a notch 7i, a through-hole 7j, an outer circumferential groove 7k, an eccentric notch 7p, and an eccentric notch formed on a cylindrical member composed of an upper surface 7a, a bottom surface 7b, and an outer peripheral surface 7c. It is configured by forming a portion 7s and the like.

  The placing portion 7d is a concave portion that holds the fruits and vegetables 6 and holds them. The mounting portion 7d is mainly composed of four inclined surfaces 7e, 7f, 7g, and 7h formed on the upper surface. The cutout portion 7i is formed by cutting out a part from the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7 to the mounting portion 7d. The notch 7i is a part for arranging the sepal part 6b of the fruits and vegetables 6. The through hole 7j is a hole formed so as to penetrate the upper surface 7a and the bottom surface 7b at the center (axial center portion) of the mounting table 7 in plan view. The outer peripheral groove 7k is a groove formed over the entire periphery in the upper and lower middle part of the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7.

  The eccentric notches 7p and 7s are notches (eccentric grooves) formed by notching the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7. The eccentric notches 7p and 7s are formed at a plurality of locations in the axial direction of the mounting table 7 (in this embodiment, two locations at the top and bottom). The eccentric notch 7 p is formed in a circular shape eccentric to the axis of the mounting table 7 on the outer peripheral surface 7 c of the mounting table 7. Similarly, the eccentric cutout portion 7s is also formed in a circular shape eccentric to the axis of the mounting table 7 on the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7. In other words, the outer shape of each of the eccentric notches 7p and 7s has a circular shape centered at a point shifted from the central axis of the mounting table 7 in plan view and bottom view (see FIG. 10). The center of the eccentric notch 7p (center axis O3) and the center of the eccentric notch 7s (center axis O4) are shifted from each other in plan view and bottom view. The positions of the central axis O3 and the central axis O4 are set according to the direction in which the mounting table 7 is to be aligned.

  The eccentric notch 7p has a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and the width is set to be larger than the vertical thickness of the second guide 120. . Further, the eccentric notch 7s has a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and the width is larger than the vertical thickness of the second guide 220 described later. Is set. The eccentric notch portion 7p is formed at the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7, and the eccentric notch portion 7s is an upper and lower middle portion (the outer peripheral groove 7k and the eccentricity of the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7). (Between the notches 7p).

  A first alignment mechanism 100 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided upstream (before) the transfer device 51 in each line of the transfer unit 50 in the present embodiment. The first alignment mechanism 100 is provided in a pair on the outer peripheral surface 7 c of the mounting table 7, with an eccentric notch 7 p formed in a circular shape eccentric with respect to the axis of the mounting table 7, and above the conveyor 10. The first guide 110 and the second guide 120 are formed (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

  Hereinafter, the second alignment mechanism 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  The second alignment mechanism 200 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 7, 7. In other words, the second alignment mechanism 200 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 7, 7. The second alignment mechanism 200 includes an eccentric cutout portion 7 s formed on the mounting table 7, and a first guide 210 and a second guide 220 arranged in a pair above the conveyor 10.

  As described above, the eccentric notch portion 7s is formed in the upper and lower middle portions of the outer peripheral surface 7c of the mounting table 7.

  The first guide 210 is a long rod-like member having a rectangular shape in cross section. The first guide 210 is disposed on the left side in the transport direction above the conveyor 10. The first guide 210 is provided in parallel with the conveying surface of the conveyor 10, and the lower end surface thereof is higher than the upper surface 7 t (bottom surface) of the eccentric notch 7 s of the mounting table 7 disposed on the conveyor 10. Placed in. The first guide 210 extends in parallel with the transport direction.

  The second guide 220 is a long rod-shaped member having a rectangular shape in cross section. The second guide 220 is disposed on the right side in the transport direction above the conveyor 10. The second guide 220 is provided in parallel with the transport surface of the conveyor 10. The upper end surface of the second guide 220 is disposed at a position lower than the upper surface 7 t (bottom surface) of the eccentric notch 7 s of the mounting table 7 disposed on the conveyor 10. The lower end surface of the second guide 220 is disposed at a position higher than the lower surface 7 u (bottom surface) of the eccentric notch 7 s of the mounting table 7 disposed on the conveyor 10. The second guide 220 is disposed opposite to the first guide 210 and is disposed obliquely in plan view so as to gradually approach the first guide 210 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  The distance between the first guide 210 and the second guide 220 on the upstream side in the transport direction is set to a dimension longer than the diameter Y (see FIG. 11B) of the eccentric notch 7s of the mounting table 7. ing. The distance between the first guide 210 and the second guide 220 on the downstream side in the transport direction is set to be approximately the same as the diameter Y of the eccentric notch 7 s of the mounting table 7.

  In the second alignment mechanism 200 configured as described above, the mounting table 7 has the outer peripheral surface 7c in contact with the side surface 210b of the first guide 210 and the first guide 210 guided in the transport direction. It is conveyed between the guide 210 and the second guide 220. Then, as it is transported downstream in the transport direction, the second guide 220 is deeply fitted into the eccentric notch 7s. The side surface 220b of the second guide 220 and the side surface 7v of the eccentric notch 7s are located in the middle of the first guide 210 and the second guide 220 from the start end (upstream end) to the end (downstream end). It will be in the state contact | abutted. When the mounting table 7 is further transported downstream in the transport direction from this state, the side surface 7v of the eccentric notch 7s is pushed by the second guide 220, and the mounting table 7 is rotated on the conveyor 10.

  The second alignment mechanism 200 will be described with a specific example. For example, when the mounting table 7 is conveyed between the first guide 210 and the second guide 220 in the state shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 15K, the side surface 220b of the second guide 220 is in contact with the side surface 7v of the eccentric notch 7s. 15 is rotated clockwise in plan view from the state shown in FIG. 15K, and the state shown in FIG. 15N is obtained through the states shown in FIGS. That is, as the distance between the first guide 210 and the second guide 220 gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the mounting table 7 is rotated, and finally the eccentric notch 7s ( The side surface 220b of the second guide 220 is in contact with the side surface 7v of the eccentric notch 7s at a position where the radial depth of the eccentric groove) is the deepest (state shown in N of FIG. 15).

  As described above, when the mounting table 7 according to the present embodiment is transported by the second alignment mechanism 200 to the downstream side in the transport direction from the terminal ends of the first guide 210 and the second guide 220, the notch portion 7i is in the transport direction. Are aligned in a posture oriented leftward in the direction of 90 degrees (state shown in FIG. 15P).

  As described above, the mounting table 7 provided in the fruit selection system 2 of the present embodiment is provided with the two eccentric cutout portions 7p and 7s, and the alignment mechanisms (first alignment mechanism 100) corresponding to each of them. And a second alignment mechanism 200) are installed at desired positions in the transport path. In this way, the placement direction of the mounting table 7 with respect to the transport direction is not limited to the direction in which the notch portion 7i is directed 45 degrees to the left and right with respect to the transport direction, but the notch portion 7i is It is also possible to align in a direction oriented in the direction of 90 degrees. In addition, the arrangement | positioning direction which can be arranged can further be increased by further increasing the number of the eccentric notch parts formed in a mounting base.

  As described above, in the fruit selection system 2 according to the present embodiment, the eccentric notches 7p and 7s are formed at a plurality of locations in the axial direction of the mounting table 7. Accordingly, the second guide 120 (220) corresponding to each eccentric notch 7p and 7s and the first guide 110 (210) paired with the second guide 120 (220) are appropriately set at desired positions on the transport path. When placed on the conveyor 10, the mounting table 7 is rotated on the conveyor 10 while passing between the corresponding first guide 110 (210) and the second guy 120 (220) at a plurality of positions on the transport path.

  Therefore, the arrangement direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the mounting table 7 can be aligned with a desired direction in each of a plurality of positions on the conveyance path.

<Third embodiment>
Below, the fruit selection system 3 which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. The fruit selection system 3 according to the third embodiment includes a third alignment mechanism 300 in place of the first alignment mechanism 100 between the photographing unit 41 and the internal quality measurement unit 42 in the transport path. It is different from the fruit selection system 1 according to the embodiment. In the following, description of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and parts having different structures will be mainly described.

  The third alignment mechanism 300 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 5, 5,. In other words, the third alignment mechanism 300 is for aligning the arrangement direction of the mounting tables 5, 5. The third alignment mechanism 300 can align the mounting tables 5, 5... In a direction different from the alignment direction by the first alignment mechanism 100 or the second alignment mechanism 200. The third alignment mechanism 300 includes a sensor 310, a magnetic body 320, an electromagnet 330, and a control device 340.

  The sensor 310 is a sensor disposed in the middle part of the conveyance path (between the imaging unit 41 and the internal quality measurement unit 42 in the present embodiment), and detects the passing timing of each mounting table 5. . The sensor 310 of this embodiment is disposed at a predetermined point on the side of the conveyor 10.

  The magnetic body 320 is affixed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface 5c of the mounting table 5 other than the portion where the eccentric notches 7p and 7s are formed (see FIG. 18).

  The electromagnet 330 is obtained by winding a coil around a core 330a made of a magnetic material, and temporarily generates a magnetic force when energized. The electromagnet 330 is disposed above the conveyor 10 and downstream of the sensor 310 in the transport direction. The tip of the core 330a of the electromagnet 330 is formed in a rounded shape, and is attached to the outer peripheral surface 5c of each mounting table 5 conveyed on the conveyor 10 when energized. The magnetic body 320 is provided so as to be in contact with it.

  As described above, the control device 340 is connected to and controls various mechanisms and devices of the selection system 1. A sensor 310, an electromagnet 330, and the like are electrically connected to the control device 340.

  Below, the content of the control performed by the control apparatus 340 in the 3rd alignment mechanism 300 is demonstrated.

  The control device 340 receives the detection signal from the sensor 310, and acquires the timing at which each mounting table 5 passes a predetermined point on the transport path. And based on the detection result of the said sensor 310, the conveyance speed of the conveyor 10 etc. which were preset, a calculation is performed and the timing of the start and completion | finish of electricity supply to the electromagnet 330 is determined.

  Here, the start timing of energization of the electromagnet 330 is determined such that each mounting table 5 is sufficiently close to the tip of the core 330a of the electromagnet 330 and the electromagnet 330 is energized to cause the electromagnet 330 to have a magnetic body 320 (mounting table). 5) is determined so that the predetermined timing is reached. When energization of the electromagnet 330 is started, the magnetic body 320 (mounting table 5) is attracted and fixed to the electromagnet 330 (see FIG. 20A).

  While the magnetic body 320 is attracted to the electromagnet 330, if the mounting table 5 on the conveyor 10 is continuously conveyed in the conveying direction, each mounting table 5 is placed on the conveyor 10 with the connection portion between the electromagnet 330 and the magnetic body 320 as a fulcrum. (Fig. 20 (a)-> (b)-> (c)).

  Further, the timing of the end of energization to the electromagnet 330 is determined as a result that each mounting table 5 rotates with the connection portion between the electromagnet 330 and the magnetic body 320 as a fulcrum, so that the arrangement direction of the mounting table 5 with respect to the transport direction reaches a desired direction. The predetermined timing is determined. In the present embodiment, the electromagnet 330 is energized at the timing when the cutout portion 5i (the sepal portion 6b of the placed fruit and vegetables 6) is oriented 45 degrees to the right with respect to the transport direction. It is set to be terminated (see FIG. 20C). When the energization of the electromagnet 330 is terminated, the magnetic body 320 (the mounting table 5) is not attracted to the electromagnet 330, and the rotation of the mounting table 5 on the conveyor 10 is stopped.

  In the third alignment mechanism 300 of the present embodiment, by executing the above-described control for each mounting table 5, the arrangement direction with respect to the conveying direction of the mounting tables 5, 5,... Is fixed (in this embodiment, The cutout portion 5i can be aligned in a direction oriented 45 degrees to the right with respect to the transport direction.

  As described above, the fruit selection system 3 according to this embodiment includes the sensor 310 that is disposed in the middle of the conveyance path and detects the timing of passage of the mounting table 5, and the outer peripheral surface 5 c of the mounting table 5. The magnetic body 320 pasted at a predetermined position, the electromagnet 330 disposed above the conveyor 10 and downstream of the sensor 310 in the transport direction, and the start of energization of the electromagnet 330 based on the detection result of the sensor 310 And a control device 340 that determines the end timing and executes energization of the electromagnet 330 in accordance with the end timing. Therefore, the mounting table 5 is rotated on the conveyor 10 by fixing the magnetic body 320 to the electromagnet 330 while the electromagnet 330 is energized.

  Therefore, even when it is not possible to secure a long space in the conveyance direction for arranging the first guide 110 and the second guide 120 on the conveyor 10, the arrangement direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the mounting table 5 can be aligned in a desired direction. it can. Moreover, even when the height in the axial direction necessary for providing the eccentric notch 5p on the mounting table 5 cannot be ensured, the alignment mechanism can be configured only by pasting the magnetic body 320, The alignment direction can also be easily changed by replacing the magnetic body 320.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Selection system 5 Mounting base 5p Eccentric notch part 7 Mounting base 7p Eccentric notch part 7s Eccentric notch part 6 Fruit and vegetables 6b (Fruits and vegetables) piece part 10 Conveyor 100 First alignment mechanism 110 First guide 120 Second guide 200 Second alignment mechanism 300 Third alignment mechanism 310 Sensor 320 Magnetic body 330 Electromagnet 340 Controller

Claims (3)

In a fruit selection system that places a generally cylindrical mounting table on which fruits and vegetables are placed on a conveyor and conveys it in the conveying direction,
An eccentric notch is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table, and the eccentric notch is centered on a central axis shifted from the central axis of the mounting table in plan view, and is a circle smaller than the outer shape of the mounting table. Is formed in a circular shape eccentric to the axis of the mounting table by cutting out the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table, having a predetermined width in the vertical direction,
The first guide is arranged to extend in parallel with the conveying direction above the conveyor, contacts the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table, and is opposed to the first guide above the conveyor, on the downstream side in the conveying direction. A second guide that is disposed so as to gradually approach the first guide, is fitted to the eccentric notch portion of the mounting table, and contacts the side surface of the eccentric notch portion;
The distance between the first guide and the second guide on the upstream side in the transport direction is set to a dimension longer than the diameter of the eccentric notch, and the distance between the first guide and the second guide on the downstream side in the transport direction is set. The distance is set to approximately the same dimension as the diameter of the eccentric notch,
As the mounting table is transported downstream in the transport direction, the side surface of the second guide comes into contact with the side surface of the eccentric notch, and the side surface is pushed and rotated by the second guide, so that the predetermined position on the conveyor is reached. The fruit selection system is characterized by being aligned in the direction of .   2. The fruit selection system according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric notch portions of the mounting table are formed at a plurality of positions above and below in the axial direction of the mounting table. In the fruit selection system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A sensor that is disposed in the middle of the conveyance path, detects a timing of passage of the mounting table, a magnetic body pasted at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table, and above the conveyor. Control that determines the start and end timing of energization of the electromagnet based on the electromagnet disposed downstream of the magnetic body in the transport direction and the detection result of the sensor, and executes energization of the electromagnet according to the timing. A device,
By starting energization of the electromagnet, the magnetic body is attracted to the electromagnet and the mounting table is fixed, and while the magnetic body is attracted, the mounting table on the conveyor continues to be transported in the transport direction, A fruit selection system in which a table is rotated on a conveyor with a connection portion as a fulcrum and is aligned in a predetermined direction .

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