JP6896698B2 - Sorting device and transport route status determination method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention mainly relates to a process of determining the state of a transport path of crushed pieces in a sorting device that sorts crushed pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal.

Conventionally, a technique for sorting waste by material has been known for the purpose of reusing waste such as crushed fragments. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an apparatus for performing this type of sorting.

In Patent Document 1, the waste transported along the conveyor is inspected by an X-ray inspection device, the inspection result is displayed on a monitor in the operation room, and an image of the appearance of the waste is acquired by a camera. Display on another monitor in the control room. In addition, the person in charge in the operation room confirms the inspection result of the X-ray inspection apparatus and determines whether or not the waste should be excluded. When the person in charge determines that the dust should be excluded, the person in charge compares the images on the two monitors to identify the dust to be excluded, and removes the identified dust from the conveyor using a loader.

Patent Document 2 discloses a sorting system including a vibration sieve and a rough sorting determination device. The vibration sieve transports waste by generating vibration by the rotation of an electric motor. In addition, the vibrating sieve is formed with holes for dropping small wastes that are not subject to sorting. The rough sorting determination device is equipped with a photographing camera, and acquires image information of waste that is sorted by a vibrating sieve and conveyed by a conveyor. Further, the rough sorting determination device determines the material of the waste based on this image information. Wastes that are judged to be non-target materials by the rough sorting judgment device are excluded from the conveyor.

Japanese Patent No. 3114915 Japanese Patent No. 5657356

However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for a person to constantly monitor the image displayed on the monitor. Further, in Patent Document 2, although the sorting is automated, a person who monitors whether the sorting is properly performed (whether an abnormality has occurred) in various sorting devices or the like is required. In particular, in Patent Document 2, since a plurality of sorting devices (vibration sieve, rough sorting determination device, etc.) are arranged, human cost becomes high when a person is arranged for each sorting device. However, if a device for monitoring the sorting device is separately provided, the device cost becomes high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a sorting device capable of determining the state of a transport path of crushed pieces at low cost.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and next, the means for solving this problem and its effect will be described.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the sorting device for sorting crushed metal pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal, a sorting device having the following configuration is provided. That is, this sorting device includes an image acquisition unit, an image analysis unit, a sorting unit, and a state determination unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image of the crushed piece. The image analysis unit analyzes the image acquired by the image acquisition unit and estimates the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed fragments. The sorting unit sorts the crushed pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal obtained based on the analysis result of the image analysis unit. The state determination unit determines the state of the transport path of the crushed piece based on the display area which is the area of the crushed piece appearing in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, or the state determination unit determines the state of the transport path of the crushed piece based on the display area. select fragments, it determines the state of the conveying path before Symbol fragments based on the ratio of the number or the number of the fragments that have been selected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport path state determining method for determining the state of the transport path of the crushed metal in a sorting device that sorts the crushed metal pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal. .. That is, this transport path state determination method includes an image acquisition step, an image analysis step, a sorting step, and a state determination step. In the image acquisition step, an image of the crushed piece is acquired. In the image analysis step, the image acquired in the image acquisition step is analyzed to estimate the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed pieces. In the sorting step, the crushed pieces are sorted according to the content ratio of the added metal obtained based on the analysis result in the image analysis step. In the state determination step, the state of the transport path of the crushed pieces is determined based on the display area which is the area of the crushed pieces appearing in the image acquired in the image acquisition step, or the state is determined based on the display area. select fragments, it determines the state of the conveying path before Symbol fragments based on the ratio of the number or the number of the fragments that have been selected.

As a result, since the size and number / ratio of the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device are known, the state of the crushed piece transport path can be determined based on them. Further, since the image acquired by the image acquisition unit can be used not only for selecting the content ratio of the added metal but also for determining the state of the pre-sorting device, the number of parts and the cost can be increased. It can be suppressed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sorting device capable of determining the state of the transport path of crushed pieces at low cost.

The figure which shows the structure of the sorting system including the sorting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The plan view which shows the state which the crushed piece is conveyed by the 2nd conveying part, and the information which is given. A flowchart showing a process performed based on a distance image of a crushed piece. A flowchart showing an abnormality determination process. A flowchart showing a grade registration process. A flowchart showing a process performed when a control device operates a sorting unit. The figure which shows the structure of the sorting system including the sorting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process which the sorting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment performs based on the distance image of a crushed piece. The figure which shows the structure of the sorting system including the sorting apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process which the sorting apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment performs processing based on the distance image of a crushed piece.

Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sorting system 1 including a sorting device 10. In the following description, the upstream and downstream in the transport direction of the crushed pieces are simply referred to as upstream and downstream.

The sorting system 1 is a system that sorts crushed pieces obtained by treating a metal such as an iron alloy with a crusher or the like according to the content ratio of the added metal. The sorting system 1 includes a transport path 2 and a sorting device 10.

The transport path 2 is a path through which the crushed pieces obtained by the crusher reach the sorting device 10 (the path through which the crushed pieces are transported). As shown in FIG. 1, the transport path 2 of the present embodiment includes a hopper 3, a pre-transport unit 4, a trommel (pre-sorting device) 5, and a first transport unit 41.

The crushed pieces processed by the crusher or the like are supplied to the supply port of the hopper 3 directly or via a conveying device such as a lifting magnet. The hopper 3 discharges the supplied crushed pieces from the discharge port. The outlet of the hopper 3 may be adjustablely openable and closable. In this case, the amount of crushed pieces discharged from the hopper 3 can be adjusted by opening and closing the discharge port at a predetermined timing, for example.

A pre-transport unit 4 is arranged below the hopper 3. The pre-conveyor unit 4 is a belt conveyor and supplies the crushed pieces discharged from the hopper 3 to the trommel 5.

The trommel 5 is arranged on the upstream side of the sorting device 10, and the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 are sorted in advance based on the size of the crushed pieces. Specifically, the trommel 5 includes a tubular member, and crushed pieces are supplied to the inside of the tubular member. Further, the crushed pieces are conveyed to the downstream side by rotating or vibrating the tubular member. As shown in FIG. 1, the trommel 5 sorts crushed pieces by a fine piece sorting unit 5a and a coarse piece sorting unit 5b.

A plurality of openings having a relatively small diameter are formed in the fragment sorting portion 5a. With this configuration, fine crushed pieces (fine pieces) that are too small to be supplied to the sorting device 10 can be dropped and removed from the opening of the fine piece sorting unit 5a. The small pieces that have fallen from the small piece sorting unit 5a are housed in the small piece accommodating unit 31. Further, the crushed pieces larger than the opening of the fine piece sorting portion 5a are conveyed to the downstream side in the tubular member of the trommel 5.

A coarse piece sorting unit 5b is provided on the downstream side of the fine piece sorting unit 5a. The coarse piece sorting portion 5b is formed with a plurality of openings having a diameter larger than that of the fine piece sorting portion 5a. With this configuration, crushed pieces having a size suitable for being supplied to the sorting device 10 can be dropped from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b and conveyed toward the sorting device 10. Further, the crushed pieces (coarse pieces) that are too large to be supplied to the sorting device 10 do not fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, but fall from a separately provided opening and are stored in the coarse piece accommodating unit 32. Therefore, the sorting device 10 is supplied with crushed pieces that have not fallen from the fine piece sorting unit 5a and have fallen from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b.

The sorting device 10 further sorts the crushed pieces pre-sorted by the trommel 5 according to the content ratio of the added metal. For example, when the iron alloy contains a large amount of additive metal such as manganese or chromium, it may not be preferable to use it for cast iron for recycling. For example, steel having a high content of manganese or chromium may have difficulty in precipitating graphite during solidification during casting, or may form a brittle structure called chill. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the crushed pieces having a high content of the added metal are selected to the low grade side, and the crushed pieces having a low content of the added metal are selected to the high grade side. The composition of the crushed pieces is not limited to iron alloys, and may be other alloys (for example, aluminum alloys), and the additive metal may be other than manganese or chromium (for example, nickel). In addition, depending on the type of alloy, may be screened for the content of the addition metal is high fragments in high quality side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device 10 includes a laser device 11, a camera (image acquisition unit) 12, a sorting unit 13, a partition plate 14, and a control device 20. The crushed pieces sorted by the trommel 5 (dropped from the opening of the coarse piece sorting section 5b) are supplied to the sorting device 10 via the first transport section 41. In the sorting device 10, sorting is performed on the crushed pieces transported by the second transport unit 42. The first transport unit 41 and the second transport unit 42 are, for example, belt conveyors. The pre-conveyor unit 4, the first conveyor unit 41, and the second conveyor unit 42 may be other than the belt conveyor (for example, a vibrating conveyor, a slope, or a roller conveyor).

The sorting device 10 detects the height shape of the crushed piece by the optical cutting method. Specifically, the laser device 11 irradiates the crushed piece transported by the second transport unit 42 with the laser beam from the upper side in the vertical direction. The camera 12 is arranged on the upstream side or the downstream side with respect to the laser device 11, and acquires an image including a laser beam appearing on the surface of the crushed piece from diagonally above (upper and upstream side or downstream side) of the crushed piece. It is a three-dimensional camera (profile camera). Since the position of the laser beam differs depending on the presence or absence of crushed pieces and the shape of the surface of the crushed pieces, the image acquired by the camera 12 is in the height direction of the crushed pieces (vertical direction, direction perpendicular to the transport surface of the conveyor). Contains information. Therefore, by processing the image acquired by the camera 12 with the camera 12 or the control device 20, it is possible to create an image in which the shade is changed according to the height of the crushed piece (hereinafter referred to as a distance image). Based on this distance image, the display area of the crushed piece (the area of the crushed piece appearing in the image, the area of the crushed piece on the image) and the surface shape of the crushed piece can be acquired. It is also possible to omit the laser device 11 and acquire the display area of the crushed piece and the surface shape of the crushed piece based on the image (photograph instead of the distance image) acquired (photographed) by the camera 12.

Here, the added metal is added in order to improve the strength of the iron alloy or the like. Therefore, the crushed piece having a high content of the added metal has a relatively high strength and is not easily deformed when treated by a crusher. On the contrary, the crushed piece having a low content of the added metal has a relatively low strength and is easily deformed when treated by a crusher. Specifically, the lower the content of the added metal, the easier it is for the steel sheet to be bent so as to be rounded when it is put into the crusher, and as a result, it is more likely to appear as wrinkles on the surface of the crushed piece. Therefore, there is a correlation between the wrinkle ratio, which is the ratio of the wrinkled portion of the surface of the crushed piece, and the content ratio of the added metal (specifically, the larger the wrinkle ratio, the more the added metal. Content ratio is reduced). Therefore, based on the wrinkle ratio, it can be classified into crushed pieces having a high content ratio of the added metal (low grade product) and crushed pieces having a low content ratio of the added metal (high quality product).

The sorting unit 13 can switch between sending the crushed pieces transported by the second transport unit 42 to the third transport unit 43 that transports high-quality products and the fourth transport unit 44 that transports low-quality products. It is configured in. The third transport unit 43 and the fourth transport unit 44 are, for example, a belt conveyor, a vibration conveyor, or a roller conveyor. Specifically, the sorting unit 13 is configured to be able to inject compressed air. When the sorting unit 13 injects compressed air, the crushed pieces are blown off by the compressed air and sent to the third transport unit 43. The crushed pieces transported by the third transport unit 43 are housed in the high-quality piece storage unit 33. On the other hand, when the sorting unit 13 does not inject compressed air, the crushed pieces fall from the second transport unit 42 (in some cases, collide with the partition plate 14 that separates the third transport unit 43 and the fourth transport unit 44). ,) It is sent to the fourth transport unit 44. The crushed pieces transported by the fourth transport unit 44 are housed in the low-grade piece storage unit 34. The partition plate 14 may be omitted. Further, instead of the configuration of the present embodiment, the crushed pieces transported by the third transport unit 43 are housed in the low-grade piece accommodating unit 34, and the crushed pieces transported by the fourth transport unit 44 are high-grade pieces. It may be configured to be accommodated in the accommodating portion 33 (that is, it may be configured to inject compressed air into the crushed pieces on the low-grade side to fly them).

The sorting unit 13 may sort the crushed pieces according to another configuration. For example, a movable guide plate is installed at the downstream end of the second transport unit 42, and when the guide plate is in the first position, the crushed pieces are guided to the third transport unit 43, and the guide plate is the second. When it is in the position, the crushed piece may be guided to the fourth transport unit 44.

The control device 20 is realized by an arithmetic unit such as FPGA, ASIC, or CPU. The control device 20 is configured to be able to execute various processes related to the sorting system 1, the sorting device 10, and the like by reading and executing a program created in advance. In the following description, some of the processes executed by the control device 20 will be described, but the control device 20 can also execute other processes.

The control device 20 includes a transport control unit 21, an image analysis unit 22, a sorting control unit 23, a state determination unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The transport control unit 21 controls the drive of the first transport unit 41 to the fourth transport unit 44. The image analysis unit 22 analyzes the image acquired by the camera 12 and estimates the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed piece (specifically, the wrinkle ratio on the surface is calculated and added based on the surface shape of the crushed piece). Processing to estimate the metal content ratio) is performed. The sorting control unit 23 controls the operation of the sorting unit 13 (presence or absence of injection of compressed air) according to the analysis result of the image analysis unit 22. The state determination unit 24 determines the state (presence or absence of abnormality) of the trommel 5 or the like based on the above-mentioned display area or the number / ratio of crushed pieces to be transported. The communication unit 25 is a member (antenna or the like) for communicating with an external device.

Next, the process of selecting the crushed pieces by the control device 20 and the process of determining the state of the trommel 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process performed based on a distance image of the crushed piece. First, the control device 20 (image analysis unit 22) acquires a distance image of the crushed pieces transported by the second transport unit 42 (S101, image acquisition step). The distance image is an image of a predetermined area and may contain one or more debris, as shown in FIG. The process of creating a distance image based on the data acquired by the camera 12 may be performed by the camera 12 or the arithmetic unit for the camera 12, or may be performed by the control device 20. Further, as described above, a photograph may be acquired instead of the distance image.

Next, the control device 20 (image analysis unit 22) identifies the crushed pieces included in the distance image, detects the display area S for each crushed piece, assigns an ID, and stores the crushed pieces together with the detection time ( S102). These pieces of information may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) included in the control device 20, or may be stored in a storage unit connected to the control device 20 via a network. .. Since the heights of the second transport unit 42 and the crushed pieces are different, the crushed pieces can be specified based on the distance image. Further, since the display area S is the area that appears in the distance image (the area when viewed from the same direction as the camera 12), it can be calculated by specifying the area where the crushed pieces exist. FIG. 2 shows how one distance image contains four crushed pieces, each of which is given an ID (K to N).

Next, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) performs the abnormality determination process of the trommel 5 based on the information of the crushed pieces stored in step S102 (S103). The abnormality determination process is a process for determining whether or not an abnormality (clogging or tearing) of the trommel 5 has occurred. When the trommel 5 is clogged or torn, the size and number of the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 are changed. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

When the fragment sorting unit 5a is clogged, the fragment sorting unit 5a can remove only the crushed pieces smaller than the normal time, so that the crushed pieces having a size that can be removed in the normal time are the small piece sorting unit 5a. It passes through the above, falls from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, and is supplied to the sorting device 10. Therefore, when the fine piece sorting unit 5a is clogged, the ratio of crushed pieces smaller than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases. Further, when the fine piece sorting portion 5a is clogged, crushed pieces having a size that is normally dropped from the fine piece sorting portion 5a and removed are supplied to the coarse piece sorting portion 5b and fall. The number of crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 increases.

Next, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is clogged, the coarse piece sorting unit 5b drops only crushed pieces smaller than the normal time from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, so that the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is normally supplied to the sorting device 10. The crushed pieces of a certain size do not fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, and the crushed pieces of this size are not supplied to the sorting device 10. Therefore, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is clogged, the ratio of crushed pieces smaller than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases. Further, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is clogged, the crushed pieces having a size that is normally supplied to the sorting device 10 do not fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, so that the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 are crushed. The number of pieces decreases.

On the other hand, when the fragment sorting unit 5a is torn, the fragment sorting unit 5a removes the crushed pieces having a size that is normally supplied to the sorting device 10 by the fragment sorting unit 5a. Therefore, it is not supplied to the sorting device 10 (unless it is a larger crushed piece, it cannot pass through the broken piece sorting section 5a). Therefore, when the fragment sorting unit 5a is torn, the ratio of crushed pieces larger than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases. Further, when the fragment sorting unit 5a is torn, the crushed pieces having a size that is normally supplied to the sorting device 10 fall from the fragment sorting unit 5a, so that the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 are crushed. The number of pieces decreases.

Next, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is torn, the coarse piece sorting unit 5b allows crushed pieces larger than the normal time to fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b. Crushed pieces having a size that cannot be supplied may fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b and be supplied to the sorting device 10. Therefore, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is torn, the ratio of crushed pieces larger than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases. Further, when the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is torn, crushed pieces having a size that normally passes through the coarse piece sorting unit 5b and is removed fall from the coarse piece sorting unit 5b, so that the sorting device 10 The number of crushed pieces supplied to the machine increases.

As described above, when either the fine piece sorting unit 5a or the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is clogged, the ratio of crushed pieces smaller than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases. On the other hand, when either the fine piece sorting unit 5a or the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is torn, the ratio of crushed pieces larger than usual is supplied to the sorting device 10 increases.

Hereinafter, the abnormality determination process will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the abnormality determination process in step S103. First, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) identifies crushed pieces (hereinafter, crushed pieces A) having a display area S equal to or less than the first threshold value (S1), and the display area S is the second threshold value (S2). The above crushed pieces (hereinafter, crushed pieces B) are specified (S201). The first threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether or not the fragment sorting unit 5a is clogged, and is determined based on the opening size of the opening of the fragment sorting unit 5a. Further, the second threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether or not the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is broken, is a value larger than the first threshold value, and is determined based on the opening size of the opening of the coarse piece sorting unit 5b. Be done.

Next, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) determines whether or not the ratio of the crushed pieces A detected in the predetermined time is equal to or greater than the first predetermined ratio (X1%) (S202, first determination process, state). Judgment process). Here, in the present embodiment, since the detection time is registered for each crushed piece, the ratio of the crushed piece A detected in a predetermined time is calculated by extracting the crushed piece based on the detected time. Can be done. In the control device 20 (state determination unit 24), when the ratio of the crushed pieces A is equal to or higher than the first predetermined ratio, the ratio of crushed pieces smaller than in the normal state is high, so that the small piece sorting unit 5a is clogged. Notify that it has occurred (S203).

The notification by the control device 20 includes, for example, sounding of a warning sound of the sorting device 10, lighting of a warning lamp of the sorting device 10, display on the display unit of the illustration of the sorting device 10, and the like. Alternatively, the control device 20 (communication unit 25) communicates to instruct the sounding of the warning sound of the trommel 5, the lighting of the warning lamp of the trommel 5, the display on the display unit of the illustration of the trommel 5, and the like. You can also. In addition, the control device 20 (communication unit 25) can communicate with the operator to notify the terminal, the operator in the control room that controls the sorting system 1, or the control device.

Next, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) determines whether or not the ratio of the crushed pieces B detected in the predetermined time is equal to or greater than the second predetermined ratio (X2%) (S204, second determination process, state). Judgment process). The first predetermined ratio and the second predetermined ratio may be the same or different. In the control device 20 (state determination unit 24), when the ratio of the crushed pieces B is equal to or higher than the second predetermined ratio, the ratio of crushed pieces larger than in the normal state is high, so that the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is torn. Notify that it has occurred (S205). The variation of the notification method is the same as in step S203.

Since the clogging and tearing of the trommel 5 is usually formed only in a part, even when the clogging or tearing occurs, the same sorting (pre-sorting) as usual is performed in the part where the clogging or tearing does not occur. Will be Therefore, it is difficult to immediately detect the tearing of the fine piece sorting unit 5a and the clogging of the coarse piece sorting unit 5b. Therefore, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) determines the occurrence of these pieces based on the number of crushed pieces, as shown below.

Specifically, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) determines whether or not the number of crushed pieces detected in a predetermined time is equal to or less than the third threshold value (L3) (S206, state determination step). When the number of crushed pieces is equal to or less than the third threshold value, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) has a smaller number of crushed pieces than in the normal state. Notifies that clogging or clogging has occurred in the transport path 2 (specifically, the hopper 3 or the pre-transport unit 4 or the first transport unit 41) (S207). This is because the number of crushed pieces supplied is reduced even when an abnormality occurs in the transport path 2. The variation of the notification method is the same as in step S203. Since the number of crushed pieces changes depending on the amount (number, etc.) of crushed pieces supplied to the sorting system 1, it is preferable to refer to this value for the determination.

In the present embodiment, the process of detecting the clogging of the fine piece sorting unit 5a or the tearing of the coarse piece sorting unit 5b is not performed based on the increase in the number of crushed pieces detected in the predetermined time. Instead of or in addition to the determination in the display area S, the determination can be made based on the number of crushed pieces. Even in this case, it is preferable to make a judgment by referring to the amount (number, etc.) of the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting system 1. Further, the trommel 5 is based on whether or not a crushed piece having a display area larger than a predetermined threshold value (a threshold value calculated in consideration of the opening size of the trommel 5) is detected without using the number or ratio of the crushed pieces. It is also possible to determine the abnormality of.

The control device 20 performs a quality registration process after the abnormality determination process (S104). The grade registration process is a process of registering low grade, high grade, non-sorting, etc. for each crushed piece based on the content ratio of the added metal of the crushed piece. As described above, since there is a correlation between the content ratio of the added metal and the wrinkle ratio on the surface of the crushed piece, the grade is registered based on the wrinkle ratio. Here, since the crushed piece having a small display area S has a large wrinkle ratio due to the presence of small wrinkles or scratches, it is easily affected by an error and the determination accuracy is likely to decrease. Further, when the processing for calculating the wrinkle ratio is performed on all the crushed pieces having a small display area S, the processing amount becomes very large, so that the load on the control device 20 becomes large (or the adoption of the high-cost control device 20 is adopted. Forced).

On the other hand, crushed pieces having a large display area S tend to be heavy in weight, and even if they are of high quality, they may not be able to be blown to the third transport unit 43 by the compressed air of the sorting unit 13 (or). The high-cost sorting unit 13 is forced to be adopted). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wrinkle ratio is not calculated for all the crushed pieces, but the wrinkle ratio is calculated for the crushed pieces whose display area S is not too small and not too large. In other words, with respect to the crushed pieces sorted by the trommel 5, the sorting device 10 further extracts the sorting target.

Hereinafter, the grade registration process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the grade registration process. First, the control device 20 identifies a fragment whose grade is not registered in the acquired image and reads out the display area S (S301). The display area S read out here is the display area S calculated and stored in step S102.

Next, the control device 20 determines whether or not the read display area S satisfies either the fourth threshold value (S4) or less and the display area S satisfies the fifth threshold value (S5) or more (S302). The fourth threshold value is a threshold value for excluding crushed pieces having a display area S too small from the calculation of the wrinkle ratio. The fourth threshold may be the same as the first threshold, but may be different. The fifth threshold value is a threshold value for excluding crushed pieces having an excessively large display area S from the calculation of the wrinkle ratio. The fifth threshold may be the same as the second threshold, but may be different.

The control device 20 registers the crushed pieces that satisfy either the read display area S of the fourth threshold value (S4) or less and the display area S of the fifth threshold value (S5) or more as out of selection (S303). Specifically, the non-selection is registered in association with the ID given in step S102. In the present embodiment, both the non-sorted and the low-grade products are stored in the low-grade piece accommodating portion 34, so that the low-grade products may be registered instead of the non-sorted products.

In the control device 20, the read display area S is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value (S4), and the display area S is equal to or more than the fifth threshold value (S5). Then, a process of calculating the wrinkle ratio (image analysis step) is performed, and it is determined whether or not the wrinkle ratio is equal to or higher than the third predetermined ratio (Y%) (S304).

The control device 20 registers the crushed pieces having the wrinkle ratio of the third predetermined ratio or more as high quality (S305). On the other hand, the control device 20 registers the crushed pieces having a wrinkle ratio less than the third predetermined ratio as low grade (S306).

Next, the control device 20 determines whether or not there is another fragment whose grade is not registered in the image acquired in step S101 (S307), and if there is a corresponding fragment, the processing after step S301 is performed. Do it again. Further, the control device 20 ends the grade registration process when there is no other fragment whose grade has not been registered in the image acquired in step S101.

As a result, the process performed based on the distance image of the crushed piece shown in FIG. 3 is completed. Further, the process shown in FIG. 3 is performed every time a new distance image is acquired.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a process of selecting the crushed pieces based on the grade registered in the crushed pieces will be briefly described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed when the control device 20 operates the sorting unit 13.

The control device 20 (sorting control unit 23) determines whether or not the crushed pieces registered as high quality with respect to the crushed pieces to be sorted to be conveyed by the second transporting unit 42 (S401). In the control device 20 (sorting control unit 23), when the crushed pieces to be sorted are registered as high quality, the crushed pieces to be sorted are at the downstream end of the second transporting unit 42 (with the third transporting unit 43). When it reaches the branching point to the fourth transport unit 44), compressed air is injected into the sorting unit 13 (by applying force to the crushed pieces) to sort to the high quality side (S402, sorting step).

The control device 20 (sorting control unit 23) does not inject compressed air into the sorting unit 13 when the crushed pieces to be sorted are not registered as high grade (that is, when they are registered as low grade or out of sorting). (Without applying force to the crushed pieces), the corresponding crushed pieces are sorted to the low grade side (S403, sorting step). By repeating the above process, crushed pieces can be sorted according to the grade registered in advance.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sorting system 1 including a sorting device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the sorting device 10 according to the second embodiment based on a distance image of the crushed pieces. In the following description, the same or similar members as those in the above-described embodiment may be designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the transport path 2 contains the trommel 5, but the transport path 2 of the present embodiment does not include the trommel 5. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the crushed pieces obtained by the crusher are supplied to the sorting device 10 without being sorted. Therefore, there are crushed pieces including very small crushed pieces removed by the fine piece sorting unit 5a of the above embodiment and very large crushed pieces removed by the coarse piece sorting unit 5b of the above embodiment. It is supplied to the sorting device 10 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the transport route state determination method is different from the above embodiment.

The processing of steps S501 and S502 of FIG. 8 is the same as that of steps S101 and S102 of FIG. After performing the process of step S502, the control device 20 identifies crushed pieces (hereinafter, crushed pieces C) having a display area larger than the fourth threshold value (S4) and smaller than the fifth threshold value (S5) (S503). .. In the present embodiment, since very small crushed pieces are supplied to the sorting device 10, only the crushed pieces C specified in step S503 are used for the state determination and are subject to quality registration. Therefore, it corresponds to the selection condition of the present embodiment that the display area is larger than the fourth threshold value and smaller than the fifth threshold value. By setting such sorting conditions, the processing amount (load) of the control device 20 can be suppressed. The crushed piece C may be specified by omitting the condition that "the display area is smaller than the fifth threshold value". Moreover, the condition other than the display area may be added to the selection condition.

Specifically, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) determines whether or not the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time is equal to or less than the sixth threshold value (S504). Also in this embodiment, since the detection time is registered for each crushed piece, the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time can be calculated by extracting the crushed piece C based on the detected time. .. Further, when the transport path 2 is clogged (for example, when the space between the hopper 3 and the pre-transport section 4 is clogged with crushed pieces), or when the pre-transport section 4, the first transport section 41, or the like is broken. In this case, the number of crushed pieces C supplied to the sorting device 10 becomes 0 or is significantly reduced. Therefore, when the number of crushed pieces C is equal to or less than the sixth threshold value (L6), the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) notifies the abnormality of the transport path 2 (S505). The notification method is the same as that of the above embodiment.

When the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time is larger than the sixth threshold value (that is, when the transport path 2 is normal), the control device 20 performs a process of calculating the wrinkle ratio for each crushed piece, and wrinkles. It is determined whether or not the ratio is equal to or greater than the third predetermined ratio (Y%) (S506). The control device 20 registers the crushed pieces having the wrinkle ratio of the third predetermined ratio or more as high quality (S507). On the other hand, the control device 20 registers the crushed pieces having a wrinkle ratio less than the third predetermined ratio as low grade (S508).

Further, the process performed when the control device 20 of the present embodiment operates the sorting unit 13 is the same as that of the above embodiment. It should be noted that the grades are not registered for the crushed pieces whose display area is smaller than the fourth threshold value and the crushed pieces whose display area is larger than the fifth threshold value, and further, it is not registered that they are not subject to selection. However, in the present embodiment, when the sorting unit 13 does not perform any treatment, the crushed pieces are stored in the low-grade piece storage unit 34, so that the crushed pieces that are not registered to be excluded from sorting are also low-grade pieces. It is accommodated in the accommodating portion 34. In addition, you may register that these crushed pieces are not subject to selection.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sorting system 1 including a sorting device 10 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the sorting device 10 according to the third embodiment based on a distance image of the crushed pieces.

The transfer path 2 of the third embodiment includes a vibration screen feeder (vibration transfer unit) 6. The vibration screen feeder 6 conveys the crushed pieces by vibrating the portion (conveyed surface) on which the crushed pieces are placed by using a motor or the like. Further, by changing the rotation frequency of the motor of the vibration screen feeder 6, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration of the transport surface can be changed. This frequency can be changed by, for example, an operation unit provided on the vibration screen feeder 6, or can be changed by the control of the control device 20 (convey control unit 21). In the present embodiment, this frequency can be changed in two steps or three steps, but it may be changed more than that, or it may be changed continuously (steplessly). Further, an opening having a predetermined size is formed on the transport surface. Therefore, crushed pieces (fine pieces) smaller than the opening fall from the opening. The strips that have fallen and removed from the opening of the vibrating screen feeder 6 are housed in the strip accommodating portion 31.

Further, in the third embodiment, the crushed pieces are classified into high-grade products and low-grade products. Each crushed piece is housed in a high-grade piece accommodating portion 33 and a low-grade piece accommodating portion 34, respectively. The crushed pieces not to be sorted are stored in the low-grade piece storage unit 34 as in the above embodiment. A separate storage unit may be provided to store the crushed pieces that are not to be sorted.

Next, the process performed by the sorting device 10 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the processes of S601 to S603 and S606 to S608 in FIG. 10 are substantially the same as the processes of S501 to S503 and S506 to S508 of FIG. 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S603, the control device 20 (state determination unit 24) identifies the crushed piece C to be sorted (the crushed piece satisfying the sorting condition), and then the number of the crushed pieces to be sorted detected in a predetermined time is the seventh. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than the threshold value (L7). The seventh threshold value is a threshold value for changing the setting of the vibration screen feeder 6. When the number of crushed pieces C to be sorted is larger than the seventh threshold value, the transfer control unit 21 sets the vibration frequency of the vibration screen feeder 6 to “normal” (S605a). If the frequency setting is already "normal", the setting is not changed. After that, high-quality or low-quality registration is performed.

Here, for example, when the replacement time of consumable parts of the crusher is approaching, long crushed pieces may be easily discharged from the crusher. As a result, the long crushed pieces may be caught in the vicinity of the continuous part between the outlet part of the hopper 3 and the vibrating screen feeder 6, and the crushed pieces may not be properly conveyed. In this case, in step S604, the number of crushed pieces C may be equal to or less than the seventh threshold value. When the number of crushed pieces C to be sorted is equal to or less than the seventh threshold value, the transfer control unit 21 sets the vibration frequency of the vibration screen feeder 6 to “high” (S605b). As a result, the frequency applied to the catching portion of the crushed piece in the vibrating screen feeder 6 is increased, and the amplitude is increased accordingly, so that the catching can be eliminated. As described above, in the third embodiment, the state of the transport path 2 (particularly the vibration screen feeder 6) is determined based on the number of crushed pieces selected based on the display area.

If the vibration frequency setting remains "high" after the crushed pieces are not caught, the number of crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 increases, which may make sorting difficult. However, in the present embodiment, when the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time exceeds the seventh threshold value, the vibration frequency setting returns to "normal" (S605a), so that the number of crushed pieces supplied is used as the basis. Can be returned.

In this embodiment, one threshold value is set, and the vibration setting is changed in two stages with the threshold value as a boundary. Alternatively, two threshold values can be set, and the vibration setting can be changed in three stages with the two threshold values as boundaries. A frequency having a height corresponding to the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time may be calculated and applied by calculation.

Further, even if the vibration frequency is set to "high", the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time does not increase, or the number of crushed pieces C detected in a predetermined time exceeds the seventh threshold value. When it becomes a small eighth threshold value or less, a process of notifying the operator of an abnormality of the vibration screen feeder 6 may be added. Alternatively, instead of the process of changing the vibration frequency setting, a process of notifying an abnormality of the vibration screen feeder 6 may be performed. Further, in addition to the vibrating screen feeder 6, another transport unit such as a belt conveyor and a trommel 5 or the like may be further provided. Further, instead of the vibration screen feeder 6, a vibration feeder that does not have a function of removing small pieces (an opening for separating small pieces is not formed) may be used.

As described above, the sorting device 10 sorts the crushed metal pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal. The sorting device 10 includes a camera 12, an image analysis unit 22, a sorting unit 13, and a state determination unit 24, and performs a transport path state determination method. The camera 12 acquires an image of the crushed pieces (image acquisition step). The image analysis unit 22 analyzes the image acquired by the camera 12 and estimates the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed pieces (image analysis step). The sorting unit 13 sorts the crushed pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal obtained based on the analysis result of the image analysis unit 22 (sorting step). The state determination unit 24 determines the state of the transport path 2 based on the display area, which is the area of the crushed pieces appearing in the image acquired by the camera 12, or the number or ratio of the crushed pieces selected based on the display area. Judgment (transport path state determination step).

As a result, since the size and number / ratio of the crushed pieces supplied to the sorting device 10 are known, the state of the crushed piece transport path 2 can be determined based on them. Further, since the image acquired by the camera 12 can be used not only for selecting the content ratio of the added metal but also for determining the state of the trommel 5, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost. Can be done.

Further, in the sorting apparatus 10 of the above embodiment, the sorting unit 13 further sorts the remaining crushed pieces from which the crushed pieces having a predetermined size have been removed by the trommel 5 according to the content ratio of the added metal. The state determination unit 24 determines the state of at least the trommel 5 based on the display area and the number or proportion of crushed pieces selected based on the display area.

As a result, the state of the trommel 5 can be automatically determined. Specifically, when the crushed pieces having a size corresponding to the specifications of the trommel 5 are supplied to the sorting device 10, the trommel 5 can be determined to be normal. On the other hand, when crushed pieces having a size deviating from the specifications of the trommel 5 are supplied to the sorting device 10, it can be determined that an abnormality may have occurred in the trommel 5.

Further, in the sorting device 10 of the above embodiment, the state determination unit 24 is the state of the trommel 5 (specifically, the fine piece sorting unit 5a) based on the ratio at which crushed pieces having a display area equal to or less than the first threshold value are detected. The state of the trommel 5 (specifically, the coarse piece sorting unit 5b) is determined based on the first determination process for determining the above and the ratio of crushed pieces having a display area larger than the first threshold value and the second threshold value or more. At least one of the second determination process is performed.

In the present invention, since the determination is made not by the three-dimensional shape of the crushed piece but by the display area, it is difficult to accurately determine the state of the trommel 5 with a single crushed piece. In this respect, the accuracy of determining the state of the trommel 5 can be improved by using the ratio at which the crushed pieces having a display area deviating from the specifications of the trommel 5 are detected on the smaller side or the larger side.

Further, in the sorting device 10 of the above embodiment, the state determination unit 24 has a rate at which crushed pieces having a display area equal to or less than the first threshold value (S1) are detected in the first determination process, or a display area in the second determination process. When the rate at which crushed pieces exceeding the second threshold value (S2) are detected exceeds a predetermined rate (X1%, X2%), it is transmitted to the outside that an abnormality has occurred in the trommel 5.

By transmitting to the outside that an abnormality has occurred in the trommel 5, it is possible to take measures to resolve the abnormality at an early stage or stop the sorting line at an early stage, and the effect of the abnormality occurring in the trommel 5 Can be suppressed.

Further, in the sorting device 10 of the above embodiment, when the number of crushed pieces detected by the camera 12 in a predetermined time is equal to or less than the third threshold value (L3), the state determination unit 24 of the trommel 5 or the crushed pieces. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the transport path 2.

When an abnormality occurs in the trommel 5 or the transport path 2, the crushed pieces themselves are not supplied to the sorting device 10 (or the number of supplies is reduced). In this regard, by performing the above processing, this kind of abnormality can also be detected.

Further, in the sorting apparatus 10 of the above embodiment, at least two of the crushed pieces are placed on the low-grade side and the high-grade side based on the content ratio of the additive metal obtained based on the analysis result of the image analysis unit 22. Sort by type. Perform image analysis to estimate the content ratio of the added metal in at least one of the crushed pieces having a display area of 4th threshold value (S4) or less and the crushed pieces having a display area of 5th threshold value (S5) or more. However, it is sorted to the low grade side or removed as a non-sorting target.

As a result, since the sorting device 10 has a part of the functions of the trommel 5, even if the sorting accuracy of the trommel 5 is low, the image analysis can be performed only on the necessary crushed pieces. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load of image analysis. Further, for example, even if an abnormality occurs in the trommel 5, the processing can be continued by the sorting device 10 alone.

Further, in the sorting device 10 of the above embodiment, the sorting unit 13 sorts the crushed pieces to the high quality side by applying a force to the crushed pieces determined to be on the high quality side to change the route. The crushed pieces having a display area equal to or larger than the fifth threshold value are sorted to the low grade side or removed as non-sorting targets without the sorting unit 13 applying force.

Since it is difficult or difficult to change the route by applying force to a crushed piece that is too large, the device load is reduced by sorting the crushed piece as a low-grade side or not to be sorted without moving the crushed piece. It is possible to sort reliably while suppressing it.

Further, in the sorting device 10 of the above embodiment, the image analysis unit 22 analyzes the image acquired by the camera 12 and calculates the wrinkle ratio, which is the ratio of the wrinkled portion on the surface of the crushed piece. The sorting unit 13 sorts the crushed pieces based on the wrinkle ratio detected by the image analysis unit 22, and sorts the crushed pieces having at least a display area of at least the fourth threshold value on the low-grade side or removes them as non-sorting targets. ..

When sorting the crushed pieces based on the wrinkle ratio on the surface, the crushed pieces having an excessively small display area tend to have a high wrinkle ratio even if there are only a few wrinkles, so that the possibility of erroneous sorting increases. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous sorting can be reduced by sorting the crushed pieces having a small display area on the low-grade side or removing them as out of the sorting target as described above.

Further, in the sorting device 10 (FIG. 7) of the above embodiment, the crushed pieces discharged from the crusher are supplied to the sorting unit 13 without being sorted. When the number of crushed pieces detected by the camera 12 in a predetermined time is equal to or less than the sixth threshold value, the state determination unit 24 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the crushed piece transport path 2.

As a result, it is possible to determine the abnormality of the transport path 2 even in a configuration in which a pre-sorting device such as trommel is not provided. Therefore, since the pre-sorting device is not required, the introduction cost of the sorting device 10 can be reduced.

Further, in the sorting device 10 (FIG. 9) of the above embodiment, the transport path 2 includes a vibration screen feeder 6 that vibrates a portion on which the crushed pieces are placed to transport the crushed pieces. The sorting unit 13 sorts crushed pieces whose display area satisfies the sorting condition. The state determination unit 24 determines the state of the vibration screen feeder 6 based on the number of crushed pieces satisfying the sorting conditions per predetermined time.

In this type of sorting device 10, long crushed pieces or the like may be supplied to the vibrating screen feeder 6 and caught by some reason (for example, wear of the crusher), so that the crushed pieces may not be sufficiently transported. is there. Even in that case, the state of the vibration screen feeder 6 can be grasped by performing the above control.

Further, the sorting device 10 (FIG. 9) of the above embodiment uses the vibration screen feeder 6 when the state determination unit 24 determines that the number of crushed pieces satisfying the sorting condition per predetermined time is equal to or less than the seventh threshold value. A transport control unit 21 that raises the frequency of vibration is provided.

As a result, even when a long crushed piece or the like is caught by the vibration screen feeder 6, the catch is removed by increasing the frequency of vibration. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the catching of the crushed pieces without the trouble of the operator.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be changed as follows, for example.

The sorting device 10 of the above embodiment classifies the crushed pieces into two types, a high-grade side and a low-grade side, but may be classified into three or more types. Specifically, in addition to the low-grade side and the high-grade side, it can be classified into non-sorting. In this case, it may be difficult to inject compressed air into the crushed piece having a large display area S to move it, so that the crushed piece is out of the selection without injecting compressed air (without applying force). It is preferable to be classified. Further, in addition to the high-grade side and the low-grade side, it can be classified into the medium-grade side.

In the above embodiment, the sorting device 10 can select the target of the processing for calculating the wrinkle ratio by performing the processing in step S302. Therefore, even if the trommel 5 is omitted, pre-sorting can be performed on the sorting device 10 side. Therefore, the trommel 5 can be omitted from the sorting system 1.

In the above embodiment, the trommel 5 has a fine piece sorting unit 5a and a coarse piece sorting unit 5b, but the trommel 5 has only one of the fine piece sorting unit 5a and the coarse piece sorting unit 5b (fine piece removing). The present invention can also be applied to a trommel) that removes only one of the rough pieces. Further, as the pre-sorting device, the present invention can be applied to a sorting device other than Trommel (for example, a flat plate-shaped vibrating sieve or the like).

In the above embodiment, the content ratio of the added metal is calculated based on the wrinkle ratio on the surface of the crushed piece, but another method using image analysis can also be used.

1 Sorting system 2 Transport route 5 Trommel (pre-sorting device)
5a Fine piece sorting part 5b Coarse piece sorting part 6 Vibration screen feeder (vibration transfer part)
11 Laser device 12 Camera (image acquisition unit)
13 Sorting unit 20 Control device 21 Transport control unit 22 Image analysis unit 23 Sorting control unit 24 Status judgment unit 25 Communication unit

Claims (12)

In a sorting device that sorts crushed metal fragments according to the content ratio of added metal
An image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the crushed piece,
An image analysis unit that analyzes the image acquired by the image acquisition unit to estimate the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed fragments, and an image analysis unit.
A sorting unit that sorts the crushed pieces according to the content ratio of the additive metal obtained based on the analysis result of the image analysis unit, and a sorting unit.
The state of the transport path of the crushed piece is determined based on the display area which is the area of the crushed piece appearing in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, or the crushed piece is selected based on the displayed area. and determining the state determination unit the state of the conveying path before Symbol fragments based on the ratio of the number or the number of selected said fragments,
A sorting device characterized by comprising. The sorting device according to claim 1.
The sorting unit further sorts the remaining crushed pieces from which the crushed pieces having a predetermined size have been removed by a pre-sorting device according to the content ratio of the added metal.
The state determination unit is a sorting device that determines at least the state of the pre-sorting device in the transport path. The sorting device according to claim 2.
The state determination unit
The first determination process of determining the state of the pre-sorting device based on the ratio of the number of the crushed pieces having the display area equal to or less than the first threshold value detected.
The second determination process of determining the state of the pre-sorting device based on the ratio of the number of the crushed pieces having the second threshold value or more whose display area is larger than the first threshold value is detected.
A sorting device characterized in that at least one of them is performed. The sorting device according to claim 3.
The state determination unit is the ratio of the number of the crushed pieces whose display area is equal to or less than the first threshold value in the first determination process, or the display area is equal to or larger than the second threshold value in the second determination process. A sorting device characterized in that when the ratio of the number of crushed pieces detected exceeds a predetermined ratio, it is transmitted to the outside that an abnormality has occurred in the pre-sorting device. The sorting device according to claim 2.
When the number of the crushed pieces detected by the image acquisition unit in a predetermined time becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value, the state determination unit causes an abnormality in the pre-sorting device or the transport path of the crushed pieces. A sorting device characterized in that it is determined that the image has been processed. The sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The sorting unit
Based on the content ratio of the additive metal obtained based on the analysis result of the image analysis unit, the crushed pieces were sorted into at least two types, a low-grade side and a high-grade side.
At least one of the crushed pieces having a display area of the fourth threshold value or less and the crushed pieces having the display area of the fifth threshold value or more is not subjected to image analysis for estimating the content ratio of the added metal. A sorting device characterized in that it sorts to the low-grade side or removes it as a non-sorting target. The sorting device according to claim 6.
The sorting unit sorts the crushed pieces to the high-quality side by applying a force to the crushed pieces determined to be on the high-quality side to change the route.
A sorting apparatus characterized in that the crushed pieces having a display area of the fifth threshold value or more are sorted to the low-grade side or removed as a non-sorting target without the sorting unit applying force. The sorting device according to claim 6 or 7.
The image analysis unit analyzes the image acquired by the image acquisition unit and calculates the wrinkle ratio, which is the ratio of the wrinkled portion on the surface of the crushed piece.
The sorting unit sorts the crushed pieces based on the wrinkle ratio detected by the image analysis unit, and sorts the crushed pieces having at least the display area of at least the fourth threshold value on the low-grade side or a sorting target. A sorting device characterized in that it is removed as the outside. The sorting device according to claim 1.
The crushed pieces discharged from the crusher are supplied to the sorting unit without being sorted.
The state determination unit is characterized in that when the number of the crushed pieces detected by the image acquisition unit in a predetermined time becomes equal to or less than the sixth threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the transport path of the crushed pieces. Sorting device. The sorting device according to claim 1.
The transport path includes a vibration transport unit that vibrates a portion on which the crushed pieces are placed to transport the crushed pieces.
The sorting unit sorts the crushed pieces whose display area satisfies the sorting condition, and then sorts the crushed pieces.
The state determination unit is a sorting device that determines the state of the vibration transport unit based on the number of crushed pieces satisfying the sorting conditions per predetermined time. The sorting device according to claim 10.
When the state determination unit determines that the number of the crushed pieces satisfying the selection condition per predetermined time is equal to or less than the seventh threshold value, the vibration transfer unit is provided with a transfer control unit that raises the frequency of vibration by the vibration transfer unit. A featured sorting device. In the transport path state determination method for determining the state of the transport path of the crushed piece in the sorting device that sorts the crushed metal pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal.
An image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the crushed piece and
An image analysis step of analyzing the image acquired in the image acquisition step to estimate the content ratio of the added metal in the crushed fragments, and an image analysis step.
A sorting step of sorting the crushed pieces according to the content ratio of the added metal obtained based on the analysis result in the image analysis step, and a sorting step.
The state of the transport path of the crushed pieces is determined based on the display area which is the area of the crushed pieces appearing in the image acquired in the image acquisition step, or the crushed pieces are selected based on the displayed area. and determining the state determination step a status of conveyance path before Symbol fragments based on the ratio of the number or the number of selected said fragments,
A method for determining a transport path state, which comprises.

Images