JP6662752B2 - Internal quality evaluation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an internal quality evaluation system for evaluating the internal quality of fruits or vegetables with seeds at the center of such mangoes and avocados.

  2. Description of the Related Art An internal quality determination system that irradiates light to a measurement target fruit and vegetable to receive internal transmitted light and performs spectral processing on the transmitted light to determine the internal quality of the measurement target fruit and vegetable is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 described below, a tray provided with an opening through which fruits and vegetables can be placed and vertically penetrated, a transport mechanism for transporting the tray in a transport direction, and a measuring light beam for fruits and vegetables from below the transport mechanism. And a pair of left and right light receiving units that receive transmitted light that is transmitted from the light emitting unit to the fruits and vegetables through the opening and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables, and is received by the pair of light receiving units. An internal quality evaluation system (hereinafter, referred to as Conventional Configuration 1) including an evaluation unit that evaluates the internal quality of fruits and vegetables based on the transmitted light has been proposed.

However, in the conventional configuration 1, the pair of light receiving sections are arranged such that the light receiving optical axes are substantially horizontal, that is, the light receiving optical axes are opposed to each other.
When the internal quality of fruits and vegetables having a large seed in the center (hereinafter, referred to as seed fruits and vegetables) such as avocado and mango is evaluated using the above-described conventional configuration 1, it is found that, in the internal region of the seed fruits and vegetables, the direct quality of the seeds is small. In a large area including the upper portion and the vicinity thereof, a sufficient amount of measurement light does not reach from the light projecting portion. That is, the large area of the internal area becomes a blind spot area (that is, an area where the light receiving unit cannot receive a sufficient amount of transmitted light), and the evaluation accuracy of the internal quality deteriorates.

  Further, in the conventional configuration 1, the opening provided in the tray is formed so as to correspond only to the central portion of the fruits and vegetables placed on the tray. Is difficult to evaluate accurately.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a tray provided with an opening through which fruits and vegetables can be placed and vertically penetrated, a transport mechanism for transporting the tray in a transport direction, and a measurement area in a transport path by the transport mechanism. A light projecting unit for projecting measurement light from the side to the fruits and vegetables, and transmitting light transmitted from the light projecting units to the fruits and vegetables and passing through the fruits and vegetables, surrounding an opening provided in the tray and the openings. A light receiving unit that receives light through a light receiving auxiliary cylinder installed below the tray, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables based on the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit. An evaluation system (hereinafter, referred to as Conventional Configuration 2) has been proposed.

However, in the conventional configuration 2, the opening and the light-receiving auxiliary cylinder exist only directly below the fruits and vegetables in plan view.
Therefore, when the internal quality of a seed vegetable is evaluated using the conventional configuration 2, the transmitted light that can be received by the light receiving unit is limited by the presence of the seed, and it is difficult to accurately evaluate the internal quality.

JP 2012-122876 A Japanese Patent No. 3660810

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a precisely evaluable internal quality evaluation system of internal quality of fruits or vegetables containing seeds in the center.

The present invention, the in order to achieve the object, an internal quality assessment system for determining the internal quality of fruits or vegetables including seeds, receiving seat with an opening at which penetrates the fruit or vegetable and vertically and can be placed A transport mechanism that transports the tray in the transport direction, a light-emitting unit that emits measurement light to fruits and vegetables from below the transport mechanism in a measurement area in a transport path of the transport mechanism, and the light-emitting unit. A light receiving unit disposed above the fruits and vegetables placed on the receiving seat so as to receive transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables through the opening through the opening, and received by the light receiving unit An evaluation unit that evaluates the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables based on the light obtained, wherein the light receiving unit extends in the transport direction through the transport width direction center of the opening in a state where the light receiving optical axis is directed obliquely downward. with respect to the vertical plane Has first and second light receiving means pair that are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other Te, receiving optical axis of said pair of first and second light receiving means is orthogonal to the conveying direction in plan view Further, the present invention provides an internal quality evaluation system in which a tilt angle with respect to a horizontal line along the conveyance width direction is 30 ° to 50 ° in a front view along the conveyance direction .

Preferably, said openings are slits.
The slit has a width smaller than the width of the fruit or vegetable to be measured in the lateral direction and has a length equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the object to be measured.
The receiving seat portion is provided with a through-hole portion that is communicated with the slit and is wider than the slit, and as a measurement target fruit, the largest trunk diameter portion is connected to the apex portion and the fruit stalk portion from the center in the longitudinal direction of the fruit and vegetable. In the state where the fruits and vegetables displaced to the side of the apex or the stalk are placed on the receiving seat portion, the largest body diameter portion is disposed on the through-hole portion or at a position close to the through-hole portion. It is configured to be.

  The tray includes a base that is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism, and first and second bases that are supported by the base so as to be rotatable around first and second pivots disposed along the conveyance direction on both sides in the conveyance width direction. A second bucket.

  In this case, the first and second buckets face each other at their free end edges while defining the slit therebetween, and the upper surfaces of the first and second buckets form the receiving seat portion. It is configured to be capable of taking a transport posture and a discharge posture of swinging downward around the corresponding first and second pivots from the transport posture and discharging the fruits and vegetables to be measured downward.

The internal quality determination system according to the present invention may preferably include a cushioning material provided on the mounting surface of the receiving seat.
The cushioning material has an opening corresponding to the opening, and the fruits and vegetables to be measured are placed on the receiving seat via the cushioning material.

The internal quality evaluation system according to the present invention is provided with an opening that penetrates up and down, a tray having a receiving seat portion on which fruits and vegetables to be measured can be placed, a transport mechanism that transports the tray in the transport direction, and a measurement area. A light-emitting unit that emits measurement light to fruits and vegetables through the opening from below the transport mechanism, a light-receiving unit that receives transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables, and a fruit-and-vegetable based on the transmitted light received by the light-receiving unit And an evaluation unit for evaluating the internal quality of the light receiving unit, wherein the light receiving units are mutually aligned with respect to a virtual center vertical plane extending in the conveying direction through the center in the conveying width direction of the opening with the light receiving optical axis directed obliquely downward. and have a first and second light receiving means pair that are symmetrically arranged against the light receiving optical axis of said pair of first and second light receiving means is orthogonal to the conveying direction in plan view Along the transport direction. And since the inclination angle with respect to a horizontal line along the conveying width direction in a front view is the 30 ° to 50 °, upon evaluating the internal quality of fruits or vegetables with seeds at the center of such mango and avocado, wherein the presence of the seed It is possible to reduce as much as possible a blind spot area in which the light receiving unit cannot receive a sufficient amount of transmitted light, and it is possible to accurately evaluate the internal quality of fruits and vegetables having seeds with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an internal quality evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the internal quality determination system. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the internal quality evaluation system taken along the line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tray in the internal quality evaluation system. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tray with the fruits and vegetables to be measured placed thereon. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tray. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which one tray is being conveyed by the conveyance mechanism in a time-series manner.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an internal quality evaluation system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2 show a schematic plan view and a schematic side view, respectively, of the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the internal quality evaluation system 1 taken along the line III-III in FIG.

  The internal quality determination system 1 according to the present embodiment evaluates the internal quality of fruits and vegetables having seeds at the center such as avocado and mango.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with an opening 135 through which the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured can be placed and vertically penetrated. A tray 100 having a receiving seat 130, a transport mechanism 10 for transporting the tray 100 in a transport direction, a light emitting unit 30 provided in a measurement area 10B in a transport path by the transport mechanism 10, and a light emitting unit The light-receiving unit 50 includes a light-receiving unit 50 that receives light transmitted from the vegetable 30 and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 300, and an evaluation unit 91 that evaluates the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables based on the light received by the light-receiving unit 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light projecting unit 30 is arranged so as to project the measuring light from the lower part of the transport mechanism 10 to the fruits and vegetables 300 through the opening 135 in the measuring area 10B. .

  As the light projecting unit 30, for example, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, an LED lamp, or the like capable of irradiating light having a wavelength in a near infrared region is used.

  The light receiving unit 50 is disposed in the measurement area 10B so as to be able to project light from the light projecting unit 30 to the fruits and vegetables 300 via the openings 135 and transmit light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 300.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the light receiving sections 50 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the opening 135 in the conveyance width direction with the light receiving optical axis RX facing obliquely downward. It has a pair of left and right first and second light receiving means 51 (1), 51 (2).
That is, the pair of first and second light receiving units 51 (1) and 51 (2) are positioned with respect to each other with reference to a virtual center vertical plane CP extending in the conveyance direction through the center of the opening 135 in the conveyance width direction. They are arranged symmetrically.

  According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second light receiving units transmit the internal transmitted light of the fruits and vegetables 300 in a state where the “blind spot” region generated by the seeds 310 of the fruits and vegetables 300 is reduced as much as possible. Light can be received by 51 (1) and 51 (2).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inclination angle α of the light receiving optical axis RX of the first and second light receiving means 51 (1) and 51 (2) is the transport angle when viewed from the front along the transport direction of the transport mechanism 10. The angle is set to 30 to 50 with respect to the horizontal line HL along the width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light receiving unit 50 (in the present embodiment, the first and second light receiving units 51 (1) and 52 (2) )) Is provided, and a spectroscopic device 70 is provided, which is optically connected to the light receiving unit 50 and splits the transmitted light from the measurement target vegetable 300 to generate spectral information such as a spectral signal.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the spectroscopic device 70 mixes the light received by the first and second light receiving units 51 (1) and 51 (2) in a mixed state. It has a common spectroscope 71 for inputting.
In this case, the first and second light receiving means 51 (1), 52 (2) may be, for example, the tip of a forked optical fiber whose rear end is optically connected to the common spectroscope 71.

  Instead, the spectroscopic device 70 is optically connected to the first light receiving unit 51 (1), and separates the transmitted light received by the first light receiving unit 51 (1) into a first light. A first spectroscope (not shown) for generating information, and optically connected to the second light receiving means 51 (2), for separating transmitted light received by the second light receiving means 51 (2). And a second spectroscope (not shown) for generating the second spectral information.

  According to such a modification, the internal quality of one side in the transport width direction of the measurement target vegetable 300 is determined based on the first spectral information, and the other of the transport width direction of the measurement target vegetable 300 is determined based on the second spectral information. Side internal quality can be determined.

  In this modification, the first light receiving means 51 (1) has a rear end formed as a front end of a first optical fiber optically connected to the first spectroscope, and the second light receiving means 51 (2) The rear end may be a front end of a second optical fiber that is optically connected to the second spectroscope and is independent of the first optical fiber.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the front end of the optical fiber whose rear end is optically connected to the spectroscopic device 70 is connected to the light receiving section 50 (the first and second light receiving sections 51 (1) and 51 (2)). However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and a hyperspectral camera or a multispectral camera can also function as the light receiving unit 50. In this case, the spectrometer 70 is omitted.

The transport mechanism 10 is configured to transport a plurality of the trays 100 in a tray transport direction X in a serial state.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport mechanism 10 includes a driving rotator 11 such as a driving sprocket, a driven rotator 12 such as a driven sprocket, and the driving rotator 11 and the driving rotator 11. A first endless body 15 (1) such as a chain wound on one side in the conveying width direction of the driven rotating body 12, and a chain wound on the other side in the conveying width direction of the driving rotating body 11 and the driven rotating body. Etc. and a second endless body 15 (2).

  In the tray 100, both ends of a front connecting rod 120 and a rear connecting rod 122 that are disposed along the conveying width direction Y (see FIGS. 1 and 3) before and after the tray conveying direction X have the first and second ends. By being connected to the two endless bodies 15 (1) and 15 (2), they are conveyed endlessly by the conveyance mechanism 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 10 transports the tray 100 in a posture in which the mounting surface of the receiving seat 130 faces upward, and places the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured on the mounting surface. And a measurement area 10B provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the placement area 10A to transport the tray 100 with the placement surface facing upward. The tray 100 is transported with the surface facing upward, and the sorting area 10C provided downstream of the measurement area 10B in the transport direction and the tray 100 that has passed through the sorting area 10C are placed upside down. It has an endless transport path including a return area 10D returning to the area 10A.

The evaluation unit 91 evaluates the internal quality of the measurement target vegetable 300 based on the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 50.
As described above, the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the spectroscopic device 70, and therefore, the evaluation unit 91 determines the internal quality of the target vegetable 300 based on the spectral information from the spectroscopic device 70. Is determined.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 90, and the control device 90 functions as the evaluation unit 91.

More specifically, the control device 90 previously stores threshold data relating to a specific internal quality such as a sugar content.
Then, based on a comparison between the spectral information of the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured placed on one tray 100 and the threshold data received from the spectral device 70, the control device 90 controls the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured. Is evaluated.

Here, a detailed configuration of the tray 100 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tray 100.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tray 100 on which the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured are placed, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tray 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5, the tray 100 is supported by the transport mechanism 10, and a base 110 to be transported is connected to the base 110, and a tray 300 on which the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured are placed. And a receiving seat portion 130 including a mounting surface.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the base 110 includes first and second side walls 111 and 112 separated in the conveyance width direction Y of the conveyance mechanism 10, and the first and second side walls 111 and 112. It has a front connecting portion 113 for connecting the front sides of the second side walls 111 and 112 in the conveying direction, and a rear connecting portion 114 for connecting the rear sides of the first and second side walls 111 and 112 in the conveying direction. A region surrounded by the first and second side walls 111 and 112 and the front and rear connecting portions 113 and 114 is formed as a hollow penetrating vertically.

  The front and rear connecting rods 120 and 122 along the transport width direction of the transport mechanism 10 are supported on the front side and the rear side in the transport direction of the base 110, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving seat portion 130 is provided with a slit 136 over the entire area in the conveying direction at the center of the receiving seat portion 130 in the conveying width direction, and the slit 136 forms the opening 135. I have.

In the present embodiment, the receiving seat portion 130 is of a medium split type.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the receiving seat portion 130 includes pivot shafts 132 (1) and 132 (2) along the transport direction X on both sides in the transport width direction of the base 110. It has a pair of first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) supported to be rotatable.

  The first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) correspond to the placement posture in which the fruits and vegetables 300 can be placed while defining the slit 135 between the opposing edges, from the placement posture described above. The pivoting shafts 132 (1) and 132 (2) are rotated downward, so that the fruits / vegetables 300 placed in the placing posture can be taken down and discharged.

  As in the present embodiment, when the receiving seat portion 130 is a middle crack type having the first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2), the internal quality determination system 1 The first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) are automatically operated when the tray 100 is transported by the transport mechanism 10 to a corresponding sorting position in the sorting area 10C. It is possible to configure such that the fruits and vegetables 300 placed on the tray 100 are dropped to a predetermined sorting unit installed below the transport mechanism 10 by shifting from the placing posture to the discharging posture.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first to third sorting conveyors 200 (1) to 200 (3) are provided as the predetermined sorting section.

  The first to third sorting conveyors 200 (1) to 200 (3) correspond to the internal evaluations “A”, “B”, and “C”, respectively, and are located below the transport mechanism 10 and in a plane. The transport mechanism 10 is disposed so as to intersect with the transport mechanism 10 at different positions in the transport direction X of the transport mechanism 10 when viewed.

  When the predetermined sorting units are provided at three places (in the present embodiment, the first to third sorting conveyors 200 (1) to 200 (3)), the internal quality determination system 1 determines the sorting position. The first to third sorting positions 19 (1) to 19 (3) have first to third sorting positions 19 (1) to 19 (3). Mechanisms 180 (1) to 180 (3) are provided.

  The discharge mechanisms 180 (1) to 180 (3) are operated and controlled by the control device 90 to operate on the tray 100 transported by the transport mechanism 10 and to retract from the tray 100. It is configured to be able to take a state.

For example, it is assumed that the control device 90 evaluates the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 300 placed on one tray 100 as “A”.
In this case, when the one tray 100 is transported to the first sorting position 19 (1) corresponding to the “A” evaluation, the control device 90 sets the tray provided at the first sorting position 19 (1). The first discharge mechanism 180 (1) is set to the operating state, and the remaining discharge mechanisms 180 (2) and 180 (3) are set to the retracted state.

  FIG. 8 includes the state where the one tray 100 on which the fruits and vegetables 300 evaluated as “A” is placed is transported by the transport mechanism 10 to the first sorting position 19 (1) corresponding to the “A” evaluation. FIG. 1 shows a time-series schematic side view of the one tray 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 100 includes a bucket stop roller 170 supported by the base 110 so as to be rotatable around the axis along the conveyance width direction, and a stopper 172 that rotates around the axis together with the bucket stop roller 170. And an operation lever 174 that rotates around the axis together with the bucket stopper roller 170.

  The bucket stopping roller 170 has a holding position for holding the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) in the mounting posture and an ejection posture of the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) around the axis. And a release position that allows a

  The stopper 172 moves the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) when the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) are in the mounting posture and the bucket stopper roller 170 is in the holding position. When the bucket 131 and the bucket 131 take an engagement position for holding the bucket 131 (1) and 131 (2) in the mounting position and the bucket stop roller 170 is positioned at the release position around the axis, the bucket 131 (1) and 131 (2) are provided directly or indirectly on the bucket stopping roller 170 so as to take a release position allowing the transition from the mounting posture to the discharging posture by its own weight.

  The operation lever 174 is located at the initial position when the bucket stopper roller 170 is located at the holding position, and is located at the operating position when the bucket stopper roller 170 is located at the release position, The bucket stopper roller 170 is provided directly or indirectly.

The internal quality determination system 1 sorts the fruits and vegetables 300 as follows.
When the one tray 100 on which the fruits and vegetables 300 evaluated as “A” is placed reaches the first sorting position 19 (1) by the transport mechanism 10, the control device 90 causes the first discharge mechanism 180 ( 1) is in the operating state.

  Therefore, when the one tray 100 reaches the first sorting position 19 (1), the operation lever 174 of the one tray 100 engages with the first ejection mechanism 180 (1) and operates from the initial position. The bucket stop roller 170 moves to the release position and the stopper 172 moves to the release position.

  As a result, the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) take the discharging posture, and the corresponding fruits and vegetables 300 are discharged downward (in the present embodiment, the first sorting conveyor 200 (1)) (FIG. 8). (B)).

When the one tray 100 passes through the first sorting position 19 (1), the engagement between the first discharge mechanism 180 (1) and the operation lever 174 is released.
Here, the bucket stopping roller 170 is urged toward a holding position by a return spring (not shown), and accordingly, the engagement between the first discharge mechanism 180 (1) and the operation lever 174 is released. Then, the bucket stopper roller 170 returns to the holding position (the operating lever 174 returns to the initial position and the stopper 172 returns to the engaging position, respectively) (see FIG. 8C).

When the one tray 100 is transported by the transport mechanism 10 through the sorting area 10C to the return area 10D, the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) are turned upside down and discharged by their own weight. Transition from the posture to the placement posture.
When the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) shift from the discharging position to the mounting position in the upside-down state, they shift to the mounting position while pushing the stopper 172.

  FIG. 8D shows a state immediately after the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) are shifted to the upside-down state in the discharging posture, and FIG. 8E shows the buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2). 2) shows a state in which the stopper 172 shifts from the discharging position to the mounting position by its own weight while pushing the stopper 172 in the upside down state.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the slit 136 has a width smaller than the width in the short direction of the fruit and vegetable 300 to be measured and has a length equal to or longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the fruit and vegetable 300 to be measured. It is said.

According to such a configuration, while effectively preventing or reducing the light receiving unit 50 from directly receiving the light from the light projecting unit 30, the light receiving unit 50 transmits the light from the widest possible part of the fruit and vegetable 300 to be measured. Light can be received, and the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured can be accurately evaluated.
Although there are individual differences in the width in the lateral direction and the width in the longitudinal direction of the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured, a numerical value that can cover all of the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured can be obtained in advance by experience values or the like.

In the present embodiment, a slit having a width smaller than the width of the measurement target fruit and vegetable 300 in the width direction and a length equal to or longer than the length of the measurement target fruit and vegetable 300 in the longitudinal direction is provided. 132 (2) is formed by the gap between the opposing edges of the first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) rotatable around, but of course, in other forms, It is possible to form a slit having a width smaller than the width of the measurement target vegetable 300 in the width direction and a length equal to or longer than the length of the measurement target vegetable 300 in the longitudinal direction.
For example, the receiving seat portion 130 is formed such that a gap between the opposed edges forms a slit having a width smaller than the width in the short direction of the fruit and vegetable 300 to be measured and having a length equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the fruit and vegetable 300 to be measured. A pair of left and right tray halves configured as described above, a front connecting portion that connects the front sides in the transport direction of the pair of left and right tray halves, and a rear side in the transport direction of the pair of left and right tray halves. It is also possible to configure so as to have a rear connection portion.

  As in the present embodiment, when the slit 136 is provided over the entire area of the receiving seat portion 130 in the transport direction, preferably, the first and second light receiving means 51 (1), 51 ( 2) is arranged such that the light receiving optical axis RX is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction X in plan view.

According to such a configuration, the first and second light receiving units 51 (1) and 51 (2) leak upward through the slit 136 without transmitting the fruits and vegetables 300 from the light emitting unit 30. Direct reception of light can be effectively prevented or reduced, whereby the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 300 can be accurately evaluated.
Note that the term “substantially perpendicular to the transport direction X” refers to a range of ± 10 ° with respect to a transport width direction perpendicular to the transport direction X.

Preferably, the light projecting unit 30 is located on the center of the slit 136 in the conveying width direction in plan view.
According to such a configuration, the amount of transmitted light that passes through one side and the other side in the transport width direction of the fruits and vegetables 300 can be made uniform.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the largest body diameter portion 305 is closer to the top portion 301 or the top portion 302 than the center 300M in the fruit and vegetable longitudinal direction 300L connecting the top portion 301 and the top portion 302. In order to be able to accurately evaluate the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 300 having a maximum body diameter portion displaced such as avocado, the following configuration is adopted.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and the like, the receiving seat portion 130 communicates with the slit 136 at a position 100D displaced to one side in the conveying direction from the central portion 100M in the conveying direction of the receiving seat portion 130. Further, a through-hole 140 wider than the slit 136 is provided.

  In this way, by providing the through-hole portion 140 in addition to the slit 136 forming the opening 135 in the receiving seat portion 130, the maximum body diameter portion displacement vegetable 300 is placed on the receiving seat portion 130. In this case, the maximum body diameter portion 305 can be positioned on the through-hole portion 140 or close to the through-hole portion 140.

  Therefore, the quantity of the measurement light incident on the maximum body diameter portion 305 from the light projecting portion 30 can be sufficiently ensured by the presence of the through-hole portion 140, whereby the inside of the maximum body diameter portion displacement vegetable 300 can be obtained. Quality can be accurately evaluated.

  In the present embodiment, the notch 133 is located at a position displaced from the central portion 100M in the tray transport direction to one side in the tray transport direction among the opposing edges of the first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2). Are provided, and the notch 133 forms the through-hole portion 140.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, in the present embodiment, the receiving seat portion 130 is located upward at the center portion 100M in the tray conveyance direction and the center portion in the tray width direction. It has an open concave shape.
With such a configuration, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the fruits and vegetables 300 while being placed on the receiving seat 130.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 7, the mounting surface of the receiving seat portion 130 has a slit and a through hole corresponding to the slit 136 and the through hole portion 140. The buffer material 150 having the hole is provided, and the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured are placed on the receiving seat 130 via the buffer material 150.

With such a configuration, the measurement light leaks from between the fruits and vegetables 300 and the tray 100 (in this case, between the fruits and vegetables 300 and the buffer material 150) while suppressing damage to the fruits and vegetables 300 serving as the measurement target. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress that the measurement light from the light projecting unit 30 is directly received by the light receiving unit 50 without passing through the fruits and vegetables 300 and adversely affects the evaluation of the internal quality.
The buffer material 150 can support the fruits and vegetables 300 in an elastically deformed state when the fruits and vegetables 300 to be measured are placed, and for example, a sponge can be used.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like, the cushioning material 150 is provided on the first and second buckets 131 (1) and 131 (2) respectively. It has buffer members 150 (1) and 150 (2), and the slit and the through hole are defined between the first and second buffer members 150 (1) and 150 (2).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the through-hole portion 140 has a curved shape that is convex outward in the tray width direction in plan view. Thus, leakage of measurement light from between the through-hole portion 140 and the fruit and vegetable 300 is prevented.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the through-hole portion 140 has a substantially circular shape.

Here, the operation of the internal quality evaluation system 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
In the placement area 10 </ b> A of the transport mechanism 10, an operator places a fruit or vegetable 300 such as avocado as a measurement target on the tray 100.

ON / OFF of the light emission of the light emitting section 30 is controlled by the control device 90.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment performs measurement for detecting that one tray 100 transported by the transport mechanism 10 has reached the measurement area 10B. An area sensor 190 is provided.

  When the control device 90 detects that one tray 100 has reached the measurement region 10B based on a signal from the measurement region sensor 190, the control device 90 causes the light projecting unit 30 to emit light, and the first and second light receiving units 51 (1) The spectral information of the transmitted light received by 51 (2) is input from the spectral device 70.

Preferably, the measurement space 20 including the tray 100, the light projecting unit 30, the first light receiving unit 51 (1), and the second light receiving unit 51 (2) that has reached the measurement area 10B is in a dark room state. Can be.
According to such a configuration, the influence of disturbance light can be prevented as much as possible.

In the internal quality evaluation system 1 according to the present embodiment, further, one of the trays 100 transported by the transport mechanism 10 includes the first to third sorting positions 19 (1) to 19 (3) in the sorting area 10C. ) Are provided with first to third sorting position sensors 191 to 193 for detecting arrival at the first position.
Instead, the control device 90 moves one measurement target 300 to the first to third sorting positions 19 (1) based on the elapsed time from the passage of the measurement area 10B and the transport speed of the transport unit 10. ~ 19 (3).

  When the control device 90 recognizes that one tray 100 reaches the sorting position (for example, the first sorting position 19 (1)) according to the internal quality evaluation of the fruits and vegetables 300 on the one tray 100, By operating a corresponding discharging mechanism (for example, the first discharging mechanism 180 (1)), the fruits and vegetables 300 on the one tray 100 are lowered (in the present embodiment, the first sorting conveyor 200 (1)). ).

  In the present embodiment, the discharge mechanism 180 operatively controlled by the control device 90 is configured to transfer the fruits and vegetables 300 placed on one tray 100 to the corresponding sorting section. Alternatively, the transfer of the fruits and vegetables 300 from the transport mechanism 10 to the sorting unit can be performed manually by an operator.

  In this case, the internal quality determination system 1 is provided with an evaluation means (not shown) such as a monitor, and when the control device 90 recognizes that one tray 100 has reached the sorting area 10C, the control device 90 90 can be configured to display the evaluation result of the fruits and vegetables 300 placed on the one tray 100 on the display means.

  According to such a configuration, the operator can sort the fruits and vegetables 300 on the one tray 100 based on the evaluation result displayed on the display means.

1 Internal Quality Evaluation System 10 Transport Mechanism 10B Measuring Area 30 Light Projecting Unit 50 Light Receiving Unit 51 (1) First Light Receiving Unit 51 (2) Second Light Receiving Unit 90 Controller 91 Evaluation Unit 100 Tray 110 Base 130 Receiving Unit 131 ( 1) First bucket 131 (2) Second bucket 132 (1) First pivot 132 (2) Second pivot 135 Opening 136 Slit 150 (1) First cushion 150 (2) Second cushion 300 Fruit and vegetable RX

Claims (4)

An internal quality assessment system for determining the internal quality of fruits or vegetables including seeds,
A tray having a receiving seat portion on which fruits and vegetables can be placed and provided with an opening penetrating vertically, a transport mechanism for transporting the tray in a transport direction, and the transport mechanism in a measurement area in a transport path by the transport mechanism A light projecting unit for projecting measurement light onto the fruits and vegetables from below, and mounted on the receiving seat portion so as to receive light transmitted from the light projecting units to the fruits and vegetables through the opening and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables. Light receiving unit disposed above the vegetables and fruits, comprising an evaluation unit that evaluates the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables based on the light received by the light receiving unit,
The light receiving unit includes a pair of left and right first symmetrically arranged with respect to each other with respect to a virtual center vertical plane extending in the conveyance direction through the center in the conveyance width direction of the opening with the light reception optical axis directed obliquely downward. And a second light receiving means ,
The light receiving optical axes of the pair of first and second light receiving means are orthogonal to the transport direction in a plan view, and furthermore, the inclination angle with respect to a horizontal line along the transport width direction in a front view along the transport direction. An internal quality evaluation system, wherein the angle is 30 ° to 50 ° . The opening is a slits,
The slit has a width narrower than the width in the short direction of the fruits and vegetables to be measured and has a length equal to or longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the objects to be measured ,
The receiving seat portion is provided with a through-hole portion that is communicated with the slit and is wider than the slit, and as a measurement target fruit, the largest trunk diameter portion is connected to the apex portion and the fruit stalk portion from the center in the longitudinal direction of the fruit and vegetable. In the state where the fruits and vegetables displaced to the side of the apex or the stalk are placed on the receiving seat portion, the largest body diameter portion is disposed on the through-hole portion or at a position close to the through-hole portion. The internal quality evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein: The tray includes a base that is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism, and first and second bases that are supported by the base so as to be rotatable around first and second pivots disposed along the conveyance direction on both sides in the conveyance width direction. A second bucket,
The first and second buckets are opposed to each other with their free end edges forming the slit therebetween, and the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second buckets form the receiving seat. And a discharge posture in which the measurement target fruits and vegetables are discharged downward by swinging downward from the transport posture around the corresponding first and second pivots. 2. The internal quality evaluation system according to 2. A cushioning material having an opening corresponding to the opening is provided on the mounting surface of the receiving seat portion, and the fruits and vegetables to be measured are mounted on the receiving seat portion via the buffering material. Item 4. The internal quality evaluation system according to any one of Items 1 to 3 .

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