JP6293046B2 - Quality sorting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a sorting light by projecting sorting light onto a sorting object such as an onion and other agricultural products and receiving light through the sorting object by a spectroscope, and a sorting object based on the spectrum. The present invention relates to a quality sorting apparatus for sorting things.

  A first sorting drum in which a first sorting hole having a first diameter is formed, which is inserted in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction in a common transport mechanism that transports all sorting objects, and is larger than the first diameter. A plurality of sorting drums including a second sorting drum having a second sorting hole having a second diameter and a third sorting drum having a third sorting hole having a diameter larger than the second diameter; First to third individual transport mechanisms for transporting sorting objects that have passed through the sorting holes of the third sorting drum, and a fourth individual transport mechanism for transporting sorting objects that have not passed through the sorting holes of the plurality of sorting drums. Has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  In the drum type sorting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the sorting object passing through the first sorting hole is moved to a predetermined position by the first individual transport mechanism as the smallest sorting object (for example, S size). The sorting object that is transported and passes through the second sorting hole is transported to a predetermined position by the second individual transport mechanism as a second sorting object (for example, M size) larger than the first sorting object, and the third The sorting object passing through the sorting hole is transported to a predetermined position by the third individual transport mechanism as a third sorting object (for example, L size) larger than the second sorting object, and passes through the third sorting hole. The unselected sorting object is transported to a predetermined position by the fourth individual transport mechanism as the largest fourth sorting object (for example, LL size).

  In addition, a transport mechanism that transports a sorting target such as agricultural products, a light projecting unit that projects sorting light to the sorting target transported by the transport mechanism, and a sorting target from the light projecting unit. There has also been proposed a quality inspection apparatus that includes a light receiving unit that receives light via a non-destructive inspection of the internal quality of a selection target (see Patent Document 2).

  In the quality inspection apparatus of the type described in Patent Document 2, the sorting light received by the light receiving unit is sent to a spectrometer, and the quality of the sorting object is inspected based on the spectrum obtained by the spectrometer. .

  By the way, it is conceivable to apply the quality inspection technique using the spectroscope described in Patent Document 2 to the common transport mechanism in the drum type sorting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, but the common transport mechanism has various sizes. Since a sorting object having a size is caused to flow, it is difficult to appropriately arrange sorting light from the light projecting unit to each of all sorting objects so as to be received by the light receiving unit.

  On the other hand, it is also conceivable to apply the technique described in Patent Document 2 to each of the plurality of individual transport mechanisms (the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms) in the drum type sorting apparatus described in Patent Document 1.

  In this case, the sorting objects that have passed through the sorting holes of the corresponding sorting drums or the sorting objects that have not passed through the sorting holes of all the sorting drums are arranged in a row in the corresponding first to fourth individual transport mechanisms. If it is configured to be transported in an aligned state and has a dedicated light projecting unit, light receiving unit, and spectroscope for each of the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms, the first to fourth individual Properly projecting the sorting light by the light projecting unit and receiving the sorting light by the light receiving unit with respect to the sorting object (first to fourth sorting objects) transported by each of the transport mechanisms. It is possible to effectively inspect all internal qualities of the first to fourth sorting objects.

  However, in this configuration, an expensive spectroscope must be installed for each of the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms, resulting in high costs.

JP 2014-168757 A JP 2012-122876 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technique, and includes a plurality of transport mechanisms, and a plurality of light projecting units and light receiving units provided for each of the plurality of transport mechanisms. A quality sorting device for determining the internal quality of a sorting object transported by the plurality of transport mechanisms based on a spectrum obtained by separating the sorting light received by the spectrometer with a spectrometer, and reducing the number of spectrometers It is an object of the present invention to provide a quality sorting device that can effectively determine the internal quality of a sorting object transported by the plurality of transport mechanisms while reducing the overall cost of the device.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the first and second transport mechanisms, at least one of which has a variable transport speed, and the first sorting object transported by the first transport mechanism A first light projecting unit that projects sorting light, a first light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the first light projecting unit through the first sorting object, and a second transport mechanism transported by the second transport mechanism. A second light projecting unit that projects sorting light on the two sorting objects; a second light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the second projecting unit through the second sorting object; and the first A first passage detection sensor that detects passage of the first sorting object at a predetermined position upstream of the light receiving unit in the transport direction; and a second passage of the second sorting object at a predetermined position upstream of the second light receiving unit in the transport direction. A second passage detection sensor for detecting passage, and the first and second light receiving portions are branched fibers; A single spectroscope optically connected to each other, a quality of the first and second sorting objects based on a signal from the spectroscope, and a transport mechanism in which the transport speed is variable And a control device that controls transport speed, wherein the control device is configured to control the first and second light receiving units based on transport speeds of the first and second transport mechanisms and signals from the first and second passage detection sensors. When it is determined that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap, a quality selection device is provided that performs transport speed control of the transport mechanism in which the transport speed is variable so that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units are different.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the first and second transport mechanisms, the first light projecting unit that projects the sorting light on the first sorting object transported by the first transport mechanism, and the first light projecting unit. A first light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the light projecting unit through the first sorting object, and a second that projects the sorting light on the second sorting object that is transported by the second transport mechanism. A second light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the light projecting unit and the second light projecting unit via the second sorting object, and the first sorting at a predetermined position upstream of the first light receiving unit in the transport direction. A first passage detection sensor for detecting passage of an object; a second passage detection sensor for detecting passage of the second sorting object at a predetermined position upstream of the second light receiving unit in a transport direction; A single spectroscope in which the second light receiving unit is optically connected via a branch fiber; A control device for determining the quality of the first and second sorting objects based on the number, and a stop mechanism provided to act on the sorting object conveyed by at least one of the first and second conveying mechanisms The stop mechanism has a stop actuator and a stop piece, and the stop actuator forcibly prohibits the passage of the corresponding selection object while allowing the stop piece to perform the transfer operation of the corresponding transfer mechanism. A stop state and a passage state allowing passage of the corresponding sorting object can be selectively taken, and the control device is based on signals from the first and second passage detection sensors. When it is determined that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap, the stop piece is forcedly stopped for a predetermined time to receive the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units. The providing quality sorting apparatus performs the operation control of the stop actuator differently.

  Preferably, the quality sorting apparatus according to the present invention is adjacent to the upstream side in the transport direction of the first light receiving unit, and the first sorting object is directed to the inspection area by the first light projecting unit and the first light receiving unit. A first approach detection sensor that detects an approach and an upstream side of the second light receiving unit in the transport direction, and the second sorting object enters the inspection region by the second light projecting unit and the second light receiving unit. And a second approach detection sensor for detecting

  Preferably, the quality sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second non-defective product accommodating portions respectively provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first and second transport mechanisms, and the first and second transport mechanisms are , And a discharge mechanism for discharging the selection target object in a direction different from the conveyance direction.

  In this case, the control device excludes the selection object determined as a defective product based on the signal from the spectrometer from the transport path at a predetermined position between the corresponding light receiving unit and the non-defective product storage unit in the transport direction. The discharge mechanism is operated.

In the various configurations, the quality sorting apparatus according to the present invention is preferably provided with a common transport mechanism that transports all sorting objects including the first and second sorting objects.
The common transport mechanism includes a first sorting drum formed with a first sorting hole for dropping a sorting target smaller than a first outer diameter among all sorting targets as the first sorting target, and the first sorting drum. A second sorting hole is formed which is disposed further downstream in the transport direction and drops a sorting object smaller than the second outer diameter, which is larger than the first outer diameter, as the second sorting object. And a sorting drum.

  In this case, the first transport mechanism is arranged to receive the first sorting object that falls through the first sorting hole, and the second transport mechanism falls through the second sorting hole. It may be arranged to receive the second sorting object.

  In any of the one aspect and the other aspect of the present invention, the first light projecting unit and the first light receiving unit are provided for the first transport mechanism, and the second light projecting unit and the second light receiving unit are provided for the second transport mechanism. Since a single spectroscope is connected to the first and second light receiving sections, the cost can be effectively reduced by reducing the number of spectroscopes that are expensive components. Can do.

  Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first and second transport mechanisms has a variable transport speed, and the control device controls the transport speed of the first and second transport mechanisms and the first transport mechanism. When it is determined that the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap based on signals from the first and second passage detection sensors that respectively detect the passage of the selection object conveyed by the first and second conveyance mechanisms. Is configured to control the transport speed of the transport mechanism in which the transport speed is variable so that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving sections are different, so that the first and second light receiving sections are The sorting light received respectively can be reliably spectrally processed by a single spectroscope, and the internal quality of the sorting object conveyed by the first and second conveying mechanisms can be reliably inspected.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the stop actuator has a stop actuator and the stop actuator allows the stop piece to pass the corresponding sorting object while allowing the transport operation of the corresponding transport mechanism. A stop mechanism configured to selectively take a forced stop state and a passing state permitting passage of the corresponding selection object, and a control device includes the first and second transports. When it is determined that the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap based on signals from the first and second passage detection sensors that respectively detect the passage of the selection object conveyed by the mechanism, the stop piece Is set to a forced stop state for a predetermined time, and the operation control of the stop actuator is performed so that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units are different. The sorting light received by each of the first and second light receiving units can be reliably spectrally processed by a single spectroscope, and the internal quality of the sorting object transported by the first and second transport mechanisms can be ensured. Can be inspected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a quality selection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the sorting drum as viewed along the arrow II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a part III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the individual downstream-side transport mechanism taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a quality selection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and shows a portion corresponding to FIG.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a quality sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In FIG. 1, the schematic diagram of the quality selection apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is shown.

  The quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to inspect the internal quality of a sorting object such as an onion in a non-destructive manner and perform a sorting process according to the internal quality.

  Furthermore, the quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is also configured to sort the sorting object according to the size.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the quality sorting apparatus 1 has a common transport mechanism 10 that transports all sorting objects.
In addition, the code | symbol 5 in FIG. 1 is accommodating parts, such as a container in which the selection target object is accommodated.

FIG. 2 shows a side view seen along the arrow II in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the common transport mechanism 10 includes a common transport conveyor 15 and a plurality of sorting drums that form a common transport path together with the common transport conveyor 15.

  A region 16 located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the sorting drum in the common transport conveyor 15 forms a hand sorting region in which an operator performs hand sorting.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of sorting drums are formed with a first sorting hole for dropping a sorting target smaller than the first outer diameter as a first sorting target from the common transport path. The first sorting drum 11a and a sorting object that is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first sorting drum 11a and that is smaller in diameter than the second outer diameter that is larger than the first outer diameter. And a second sorting drum 11b formed with a second sorting hole for dropping from the common transport path, and a second sorting drum 11b disposed downstream of the second sorting drum 11b in the feeding direction and having a larger diameter than the second outer diameter. And a third sorting drum 11c having a third sorting hole for dropping a sorting target smaller than three outer diameters as a third sorting target from the common transport path.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sorting drum 11a includes a cylindrical drum body 12a and a driving roller 13 that rotates the cylindrical drum body 12a about an axis.
The second and third sorting drums 11b and 11c have substantially the same configuration as the first sorting drum 11a except for the size of the sorting holes.

  The quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of individual transport mechanisms that transport each of the sorting objects sorted according to the size from the common transport path.

  As described above, the quality sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first to third sorting drums 11a, 11b, and 11c, and the sorting object to be transported through the common transport path is A first selection object having a smaller diameter than the first selection hole, a second selection object having a diameter larger than the first selection hole and smaller than the second selection hole, a diameter larger than the second selection hole, and the third selection object. It sorts into four types of sizes, a third sorting object having a smaller diameter than the sorting hole and a fourth sorting object having a larger diameter than the third sorting hole (a size that does not pass through the third sorting hole). ing.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the quality sorting apparatus 1 includes first to fourth individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d that individually transport the first to fourth sorting objects as the plurality of individual transport mechanisms. Have.

  Each of the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d transports a corresponding selection target toward the respective non-defective product storage units 90a to 90d, and transports the selection target to the non-defective product storage units 90a to 90d. The sorting object can be arbitrarily discharged at a predetermined position during the process.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a part III in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-VI in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the individual transport mechanisms 20 a to 20 d are individually upstream from the corresponding sorting drum or the most downstream sorting drum from the downstream side in the transport direction. A side transport mechanism 120 and an individual downstream transport mechanism 130 (135) for transporting the selection object handed over from the individual upstream transport mechanism 120 to the corresponding non-defective storage units 90a to 90d.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the individual upstream side transport mechanism 120 of the individual transport mechanisms 20 a to 20 c is upstream so as to receive the sorting object falling from the sorting holes of the sorting drums 11 a to 11 c. The side is inserted into the drum body of the corresponding sorting drums 11a to 11d.
Note that reference numeral 14 in FIG. 2 denotes a guide plate that guides the selection target object that has passed through the selection hole to the corresponding conveyance surface of the individual upstream conveyance mechanism 120.

  Further, the individual upstream side transport mechanism 120 of the individual transport mechanism 20d is disposed so as to receive the sorting object passing through the sorting drum 11c on the most downstream side in the transport direction.

  In the present embodiment, the individual upstream side transport mechanism 120 includes a drive roller (not shown), a driven roller (not shown), a belt body wound around the drive roller and the driven roller, and the like. The conveyor mechanism has an endless body 121.

  The individual downstream-side transport mechanism 130 (135) transports the selection object taken over from the individual upstream-side transport mechanism 120 to the non-defective product accommodating units 90a to 90d, and a predetermined partway through the non-defective product accommodating units 90a to 90d. The sorting object can be arbitrarily discharged at a position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the individual downstream-side transport mechanism 130 (135) is a keyboard-type transport mechanism.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard type transport mechanism includes a pair of first and second drive rotators (not shown) such as sprockets disposed opposite to each other in the transport width direction orthogonal to the transport direction; A first driven rotator such as a sprocket disposed on the same side as the first drive rotator, and a second driven rotator such as a sprocket disposed on the same side as the second drive rotator, and A first endless body 141a such as a chain wound around the first drive rotor and the first driven rotor, and a first endless body 141a such as a chain wound around the second drive rotor and the second driven rotor. Two endless bodies 141b, a mounting base unit 143 integrally transported by the first and second endless bodies, and a keyboard-like support arm that is supported by the mounting base unit 143 and on which an object to be sorted can be placed 145 and the mounting base uni And a lock arm 147 supported on bets 143.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard-type transport mechanism further includes a pair of support frames 150 arranged to face each other in the width direction, and a pair of support frames 150 supported by the pair of support frames 150. The pair of endless bodies 141a and 141b are guided by the pair of rails 155 in a transport area for transporting the corresponding sorting object.

  The mounting base unit 143 includes a connecting rod 143a supported by a portion of the first and second endless bodies 141a and 141b facing in the width direction, and a mounting base 143b supported by the connecting rod 143a. ing.

  The support arm 145 is supported by the mounting base 143b so as to be rotatable about the first pivot shaft 146 along the transport direction, and the transport posture in which the sorting object is placed on the upper surface (solid line in FIG. 4). And a discharge posture (two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) for discharging the selection object.

Specifically, the support arm 145 is provided with an engagement recess 145a into which an engagement protrusion 147a provided on the lock arm 147 can be engaged.
The lock arm 147 is supported by the mounting base 143b so as to be rotatable about a second pivot shaft 148 along the transport direction, and the engagement protrusion 147a is engaged with the engagement projection 147a around the second pivot shaft 148. It is urged by an urging member (not shown) such as a spring in a direction to be engaged with the recess 145a.

  The keyboard-type transport mechanism further includes a discharge actuator (FIG. 5) that pushes the lock arm 147 against the urging force of the urging member in a direction in which the engagement protrusion 147a is separated from the engagement recess 145a. Not shown).

  In such a configuration, the support arm 145 takes the transport posture in a state where the engagement projection 147a of the lock arm 147 is engaged with the engagement recess 145a, and the support projection 147a and the engagement projection 147a. When the engagement of the recess 145a is released, the discharge posture is taken by the weight of the support arm 145.

Note that the support arm 145 in the discharge posture takes a posture close to the transport posture by its own weight when the direction is changed at the transport end of the keyboard-type transport mechanism and moves backward in the downward state.
Therefore, in this state, the engagement protrusion 147a of the lock arm 147 urged by the urging force of the urging member is engaged with the engagement recess 145a to return to the transport posture.

  Needless to say, the individual downstream side transport mechanism 130 (135) can take various forms as long as the sorting object to be transported can be discharged at a predetermined position on the way to the non-defective product accommodating portions 90a to 90d.

  For example, the individual downstream-side transport mechanism 130 (135) includes a driving roller (not shown), a driven roller (not shown), and an endless body such as a belt wound around the driving roller and the driven roller. (Not shown) and a push actuator (not shown) for discharging the sorting object conveyed on the endless body may be included.

  In this case, the push actuator includes an actuator body and a piston that is movable back and forth in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction from the actuator body, and the piston is operated according to the operation control of the axial body. The discharging posture for pushing the sorting object from the endless body to the side and the retracting posture allowing the passage of the sorting object can be selectively taken.

  The quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to individually inspect the internal quality of the sorting objects that are respectively transported by the plurality of individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d.

  Specifically, in the quality sorting apparatus 1, the light projecting unit 31 that projects the sorting light on the sorting object and the light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the light projecting unit 31 via the sorting object. An optical system unit 30 including 32 is provided for each of the plurality of individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d.

  As described above, the quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. The first optical system unit 30a including the first light projecting unit 31a and the first light receiving unit 32a acting on the first selection object conveyed by the first and the second individual conveyance mechanism 20b conveyed by the second individual conveyance mechanism 20b. The second optical system unit 30b including the second light projecting unit 31b and the second light receiving unit 32b that act on the sorting object, and the third sorting object that is transported by the third individual transport mechanism 20c. The fourth light projecting unit 31d that acts on the third optical system unit 30c including the third light projecting unit 31c and the third light receiving unit 32c, and the fourth selection object transported by the fourth individual transport mechanism 20d. And the fourth light receiving part 3 And a fourth optical system unit 30d including d.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, size selection is performed by the selection drums 11a to 11c, and the first to fourth selection objects having substantially the same size are each assigned a dedicated throw. The light parts 31a to 31d and the light receiving parts 32a to 32d are provided. Therefore, the sorting light is appropriately projected onto the first to fourth sorting objects, and the first to fourth sorting objects are displayed. Thus, the sorting light can be received effectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the quality sorting device 1 splits the sorting light from the light receiving units 32 a to 32 d to generate a spectrum, and the sorting based on the spectrum from the spectrometer 50. And a control device 100 that determines the internal quality of the object.

  The control device 100 determines whether or not the selection object is a defective product based on the spectrum signal from the spectroscope 50. If the control device 100 determines that the selection object is a defective product, the control object 100 has a predetermined discharge position ( When reaching the defective product discharge ports 25a to 25d) in FIG. 1, the discharge actuator is operated to discharge the sorting object from the conveyance path.

  By the way, in the case where the optical system units 30a to 30d are provided for the selection objects to be transported by the plurality of individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d, respectively, as in the present embodiment, the plurality of optical system units 30a to 30d. Generally, each of 30d is provided with a dedicated spectroscope. However, since the spectroscope itself is expensive, in the general configuration, the cost of the entire quality selection apparatus is increased.

  In this regard, the quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to split the sorting light from at least two light receiving units with a single spectrometer, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced by using the spectrometer. We are trying to make it cheaper.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the quality sorting apparatus 1 includes a first passage detection sensor 40a that detects the passage of the first sorting object transported by the first individual transport mechanism 20a, and the second individual transport. A single sensor in which a second passage detection sensor 40b for detecting the passage of the second sorting object conveyed by the mechanism 20b and the first and second light receiving portions 32a and 32b are optically connected via the branch fiber 60. And a control device 100 that determines the quality of the corresponding selection object based on the spectrum signal from the spectrometer 50.

In the present embodiment, at least one of the first and second individual transport mechanisms 20a and 20b is configured such that the transport speed of the individual downstream transport mechanism 130 having a defective product discharge function can be changed. .
In the form shown in FIG. 3, the individual downstream side transport mechanism 130 in the first individual transport mechanism 20a is a variable transport speed type.

  The control device 100 has information about the conveyance speed of the downstream individual conveyance mechanisms 130 and 135 in the first and second individual conveyance mechanisms 20a and 20b in advance, and the first and second individual conveyance mechanisms 20a. , 20b, the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving portions 32a, 32b overlap based on the transport speed of the individual downstream transport mechanisms 130, 135 and the signals from the first and second passage detection sensors 40a, 40b. Judge whether to do.

When the control device 100 determines that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving portions 32a and 32b overlap, the individual downstream transport mechanism (in the form of FIG. 3) with the transport speed variable. The operation control of the conveyance drive actuator 131 is performed so that the conveyance speed of the individual downstream conveyance mechanism 130 of the first individual conveyance mechanism 20a is changed, and the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units 32a and 32b are different. It is configured as follows.
In addition, the conveyance mechanism in which the conveyance speed is variable can be configured such that the conveyance speed can be changed in multiple stages, or the conveyance speed can be changed in a stepless manner.

  As in the present embodiment, when the individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d include the upstream transport mechanism 120 and the downstream transport mechanism 130 (135), the downstream transport mechanism 130 is preferably used. The transport speed of (135) can be made faster than that of the upstream transport mechanism 120.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to widen the separation distance between the selection objects adjacent in the transport direction in the downstream transport mechanism 130 (135), and the inspection by the light projecting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is performed without difficulty. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the selection light from the two light receiving units (the first and second light receiving units 32a and 32b) is input to one spectrometer 50 is described as an example. However, it is also possible to input sorting light from three or more light receiving units to one spectrometer.

  That is, for example, the sorting light from the first to fourth light receiving portions 32a to 32d can be input to one spectroscope 50. In this case, the first to fourth individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20a The downstream individual conveyance mechanism of at least three individual conveyance mechanisms 20 is a variable conveyance speed type.

  When the control device 100 determines that the corresponding selection object is a defective product based on the spectrum signal from the spectroscope 50, for example, the defective product of the selection object is a defective product with the following configuration. The arrival timing to the discharge port 25 can be detected.

That is, as in the present embodiment, when the individual transport mechanism 130 (135) on the downstream side of the individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d is a keyboard-type transport mechanism, a support arm detection sensor (not shown) is provided. Provided.
The indicating arm detection sensor detects a passing quantity of the plurality of keyboard-like support arms 145 arranged in parallel in the transport direction in a state where the longitudinal direction is along the transport width direction, and a predetermined reference (for example, The passage of the first support arm is also detectable.

  The control device 100 resets the count by the passage of the reference support arm while counting the number of passages of the plurality of support arms 145 based on the signal from the sensor, so that each of the plurality of support arms 145 is reset. Know the number (address) of.

  In addition, the control device 100 receives signals from the passage detection sensors (the first and second passage detection sensors 40a and 40b) that detect the passage of the selection object conveyed by the corresponding individual conveyance mechanisms 20a to 20d. The support arm 145 on which the sorting object is placed is grasped based on the count value at the time when is input.

  Then, the control device 100 discharges the time point when the count value of the support arm 145 is counted according to the distance between the position of the passage detection sensor and the discharge position (defective product discharge ports 25a and 25b in FIG. 3). It is determined that the defective sorting object to be reached has reached the defective product discharge ports 25a and 25b, and the support arm 145 on which the sorting object is placed is moved to the discharge posture.

  Depending on the size of the sorting object, the sorting object may be placed across a plurality of support arms 145. In this case, the corresponding support arms 145 are simultaneously brought into the discharge posture. Can be migrated.

  Preferably, the quality sorting device 1 is adjacent to each of the plurality of individual transport mechanisms on the upstream side in the transport direction of the corresponding light receiving unit, and to the inspection region formed by the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. An entry detection sensor for detecting the entry of the sorting object can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the quality selection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes first to fourth entry detection sensors 41a to 41d as the entry detection sensors.

  By providing the approach detection sensors 41a to 41d, the control device 100 is the one to which the sorting light input to the spectroscope 50 is transported by which individual transport mechanism 20a to 20d. Can be reliably recognized, and the discharge timing of defective products can be more accurately recognized.

  Further, the control device 100 determines that the sorting objects adjacent in the transport direction in the individual transport mechanisms 20a to 20d are the light projecting units 31a to 31d and the light receiving unit 32a according to signals from the approach detection sensors 41a to 41d. It can be determined whether or not it is closer than the interval necessary for spectroscopic measurement by ~ 32d, and an error signal can be output when abnormal proximity is detected.

Embodiment 2
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the quality selection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the quality selection device 2 according to the present embodiment, and shows a drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.
In the figure, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The quality sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is provided in each of the plurality of transport mechanisms 20a and 20b by changing the transport speed of at least one of the transport mechanisms 20a and 20b. And it is comprised so that it can prevent that the light-receiving timing of the some light-receiving part 32a, 32b optically connected to the common spectrometer 50 overlaps.

  On the other hand, the quality sorting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment temporarily stops the movement of the sorting object transported by at least one of the plurality of transport mechanisms 20a ′ and 20b, thereby the plurality of transport mechanisms 20a. 'And 20b are configured to prevent the light receiving timings of the plurality of light receiving portions 32a and 32b optically connected to the common spectroscope 50 from overlapping.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the quality selection device 2 includes first and second transport mechanisms 20a ′ and 20b, a first light projecting unit 31a, a first light receiving unit 32a, and a second light projecting unit 31b. And a second light receiving unit 32b, first and second passage detection sensors 40a and 40b, a single spectroscope 50, a control device 100, and a stop mechanism 200.

The first transport mechanism 20a ′ of the quality sorting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the first transport mechanism 20a of the first embodiment only in that the transport speed is fixed. .
Needless to say, the first transport mechanism 20a ′ and the second transport mechanism 20b can be of a variable transport speed type.

  The stop mechanism 200 has a stop actuator 210 and a stop piece 220. By controlling the operation of the stop actuator 210, the stop piece 220 is moved to a corresponding transport mechanism (in the form shown in FIG. 2) selecting a forced stop state (the state shown in FIG. 5) that prohibits the passage of the corresponding sorting object while permitting the carrying operation of the transport mechanism 20b) and a passing state that permits the passage of the corresponding sorting object. It is constituted so that it can be taken.

  In such a configuration, when the control device 100 determines that the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units 32a and 32b overlap based on the signals from the first and second passage detection sensors 40a and 40b. The stop piece 210 is forced to stop for a predetermined time, and the operation of the stop actuator 210 is controlled so that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving portions 32a and 32b are different.

  In the quality sorting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the plurality of light receiving units 32a and 32b are also used as the spectroscope 50 to reduce the cost, while the plurality It is possible to reliably prevent the light receiving sections 32a and 32b from simultaneously receiving the sorting light.

1, 2 Quality sorter 10 Common transport mechanism 20a, 20a 'First transport mechanism 20b Second transport mechanism 31a First light projecting unit 31b First light projecting unit 32a First light receiving unit 32b Second light receiving unit 40a First passage detection Sensor 40b Second passage detection sensor 41a First approach detection sensor 41b Second approach detection sensor 50 Spectroscope 60 Branch fiber 90a First non-defective product receiving portion 90b Second non-defective product containing portion 100 Controller 200 Stop mechanism 210 Stop actuator 220 Stop piece

Claims (5)

First and second transport mechanisms, at least one of which is variable in transport speed, a first light projecting unit that projects sorting light on a first sorting object transported by the first transport mechanism, and the first A first light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the light projecting unit through the first sorting object, and a second that projects the sorting light on the second sorting object that is transported by the second transport mechanism. A second light receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the light projecting unit and the second light projecting unit via the second sorting object, and the first sorting at a predetermined position upstream of the first light receiving unit in the transport direction. A first passage detection sensor for detecting passage of an object; a second passage detection sensor for detecting passage of the second sorting object at a predetermined position upstream of the second light receiving unit in a transport direction; A single spectrometer in which the second light-receiving unit is optically connected via a branch fiber; With determining the quality of the first and second sorting objects on the basis of the signal from the spectrometer, and a control device which controls the conveying speed control of the transport mechanism in which the conveying speed is variable,
When the control device determines that the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap based on the conveyance speeds of the first and second conveyance mechanisms and the signals from the first and second passage detection sensors. A quality selection apparatus that controls a conveyance speed of a conveyance mechanism in which a conveyance speed is variable so that light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units are different. The first and second transport mechanisms, the first light projecting unit that projects the sorting light on the first sorting object transported by the first transport mechanism, and the sorting light from the first light projecting unit A first light receiving unit that receives light through the first selection target, a second light projection unit that projects selection light on the second selection target conveyed by the second conveyance mechanism, and the second light projection A second light-receiving unit that receives the sorting light from the section through the second sorting object, and a first that detects the passage of the first sorting object at a predetermined position upstream in the transport direction from the first light-receiving unit. A passage detection sensor, a second passage detection sensor for detecting passage of the second selection object at a predetermined position upstream of the second light receiving portion in the transport direction, and the first and second light receiving portions via branch fibers. And a first spectroscope optically connected to the first spectroscope and the first and second spectroscopes based on a signal from the spectroscope. And determining control the quality of the second sorting objects, and a stop mechanism provided to be act on sorting objects carried by at least one of the first and second transport mechanism,
The stop mechanism has a stop actuator and a stop piece, and the stop actuator allows the stop piece to prohibit the passage of the corresponding selection object while allowing the transfer operation of the corresponding transfer mechanism; and It is configured to be able to selectively take a passing state that allows passage of the corresponding sorting object,
When the control device determines that the light reception timings of the first and second light receiving units overlap based on the signals from the first and second passage detection sensors, the control device sets the stop piece to a forced stop state for a predetermined time. Then, the quality selection device is configured to control the operation of the stop actuator so that the light receiving timings of the first and second light receiving units are different.   A first entry detection sensor that is adjacent to the upstream side of the first light receiving unit in the conveying direction and detects an entry of the first sorting object into the inspection region by the first light projecting unit and the first light receiving unit; A second entry detection sensor which is adjacent to the upstream side of the second light receiving unit in the transport direction and detects the entry of the second sorting object into the inspection area by the second light projecting unit and the second light receiving unit. The quality selection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Comprising first and second non-defective product accommodating portions respectively provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first and second transport mechanisms;
The first and second transport mechanisms have a discharge mechanism that discharges a selection target in a direction different from the transport direction;
The control device discharges the sorting object determined as a defective product based on a signal from the spectroscope so as to be excluded from a transport path at a predetermined position between a corresponding light receiving unit and a non-defective product storage unit in the transport direction. The quality selection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a mechanism is operated. A common transport mechanism for transporting all sorting objects including the first and second sorting objects;
The common transport mechanism includes a first sorting drum formed with a first sorting hole for dropping a sorting target smaller than a first outer diameter among all sorting targets as the first sorting target, and the first sorting drum. A second sorting hole is formed which is disposed further downstream in the transport direction and drops a sorting object smaller than the second outer diameter, which is larger than the first outer diameter, as the second sorting object. A sorting drum,
The first transport mechanism is arranged to receive the first sorting object falling through the first sorting hole, and the second transport mechanism is dropped into the second sorting mechanism through the second sorting hole. 5. The quality sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quality sorting apparatus is arranged to receive a sorting object.

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