JPH01148378A - Multi-grade sorter of fruits and vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a sorter to sort and assort multiple grades on one line of conveyor with receiving trays by executing measurement by weights or shapes in a measuring section of the conveyor with the receiving trays and in addition, providing the receiving trays themselves with manual grade display means. CONSTITUTION: Fruits and vegetables 5 are visually discriminated into their grades by a fruit sorting person before being supplied to the receiving trays 11 and are placed on the receiving trays 11 to be transferred. Simultaneously, the push switches of the manual grade display devices 17 corresponding to the discriminated grades are operated. At the time of the fruit and vegetables on the receiving trays 11 transferred by grade displaying pass the grade detectors 2, the detecting pieces displaying the grades are detected and grade signals are sent to an arithmetic processor 4. The weights or shapes of the fruit and vegetables 5 are then measured by a measuring instrument 3 and the measurement data is sent to this arithmetic processor 4. The arithmetic processor 4 outputs the assorting signals by grades and classes to corresponding discharge devices 6 in accordance with such information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable sorter, and more particularly to a multi-grade sorter capable of sorting and sorting into multiple grades using a conveyor with a tray.

[Conventional technology and problems]

Fruits and vegetables are sorted by humans based on their appearance (color, scratches, shape, etc.) as shown in Figure 1θ.
After sorting into grades according to quality such as excellent and good, they are fed to the transfer path of the sorting conveyor 101 provided corresponding to each grade, and are classified into predetermined grades (2L) by a measuring device 301 that measures weight, weight, or shape. .

It is common to sort and sort into L, M, S, etc.).

However, the grade ratio of fruits and vegetables differs depending on the type of fruit or vegetable, production area, harvest time, etc., so when the tray of the conveyor is fully supplied with fruits and vegetables of the grade with the highest grade ratio, only that row has the highest operating rate. However, since a small amount is supplied to the trays of the conveyors of other rows, there is a drawback that the operating rate as a whole decreases.

In addition, in recent years, the quality classification has been subdivided and the number of grade classifications has increased, and the number of conveyor strips has increased accordingly, requiring a large space and high equipment costs, and improvements are desired.

Furthermore, depending on the type of fruits and vegetables, a final grade correction (for oversight or special inspection) is performed on the fruits and vegetables that have been graded by a grader (fruit sorter) and fed to the tray of the conveyor. If the fruits and vegetables to be sorted in such a case are fruits and vegetables that break easily and are easily damaged, such as watermelons and melons, there is a problem that they may be broken or damaged by impact during grade correction (row change).

Furthermore, it is not easy to lift heavy and large fruits and vegetables such as watermelons and melons from the tray and transfer them to trays of different grade lines, and it is desired to reduce the labor.

In addition, as another different sorting method, as shown in FIG. 11, there is a method in which two-grade sorting conveyor 101 is used to make it possible to sort two grades. In this method, an equal plate detection device 201 such as a photoelectric switch is provided in the middle of the transfer path of the sorting conveyor lot, and a measuring device 301 for measuring weight or shape is provided at a predetermined position downstream from the grade detection device 201. There is. Then, in the supply section, the fruit sorter, for example, supplies fruits and vegetables that have been determined to be excellent quality products to the upstream side of the equal plate detection device, while fruits and vegetables that have been determined to be superior quality products are supplied to the equal plate detection device 20.
Fruits and vegetables that have passed through the grade detection device 301 and are detected are judged to be excellent, while fruits and vegetables that are not detected are judged to be excellent. This judgment signal is shifted in synchronization with each tray, and together with the results measured by the measuring device 301, the fruits and vegetables on each tray are sorted into the first grade, and the predetermined sorting is discharged from the discharge section 401. It consists of

However, according to this second grade sorting device, the fruit and vegetable supply sections are provided on the upstream and downstream sides sandwiching the equal plate detection device 201, so the supply section is required to be long, which increases the overall machine length. In addition to this, it also had the disadvantage of requiring a large amount of manpower.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a manual isoline display means on the tray of a sorting machine that sorts fruits and vegetables while loading them one by one and transferring them. Our goal is to provide a multi-grade sorting machine that can perform the following tasks.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conveyor with a saucer, which is provided with isoline display means for manually displaying the grade of the fruits and vegetables on a part of each saucer on which fruits and vegetables are placed, and a grade detection means for detecting the grade of a saucer and outputting the detected grade signal; a measuring means for measuring weight or shape provided in a measuring section of the conveyor with saucer; and a grade signal detected by the grade detection means. and,
The corresponding sorting is performed by combining the measured values measured by the measuring means with a grade signal, etc., and synchronizing the receiving tray with the discharging device. It is characterized by:

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a single-line sorting machine with three grades.

In the figure, 1 is a conveyor with a saucer, 2 is an equal plate detection device as a grade detection means, 3 is a measurement device as a weight or shape measurement device, 4 is an arithmetic processing unit, 5 is a fruit or vegetable as an object to be sorted, and 6 Sorting is a discharge device as a discharge means.

Figures 3 and 4 show partial details of the conveyor 1 with trays, in which 11 is a tray on which fruits and vegetables 5 are placed one by one;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a compare chain, which is run and rotated endlessly, and a large number of the above-mentioned trays 11 are attached at equal intervals in the traveling direction via a support shaft 13 to form a conveyor l with trays.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a vertically elongated loose fitting hole, which is provided on the left and right side surfaces with respect to the traveling direction (arrow direction) of the saucer 11.

A roller 112 is rotatably provided on the support shaft 13, and is assembled vertically within the loose fitting hole 111 with extremely low rotational contact resistance.

The support shaft 13 is provided to pass through the loose fitting hole 111, rotatably supports the roller 112, and supports the conveyor chain 12.
is attached to.

Reference numeral 113 denotes a mounting part, which has a bowl-shaped recess formed in the center of the upper surface of the tray 11 in order to stably transport the fruits and vegetables 5 one by one.

114 is a sliding surface, the lower part of the saucer 11 is formed of a slippery resin member, and the weighing device 3 such as an electronic scale or a load cell is used.
It is configured to run stably on the measurement rail (not shown) of I. This measuring rail (not shown) is arranged such that when the receiving tray 11 slides on the measuring rail, the support shaft 13 is inserted into the loose fitting hole 11.
1, the tray 11 is moved slightly upwardly as it travels, so that the tray 11 is not in contact with the support shaft 13 on the weighing device 31, and is pushed only by the rotatable roller 112. It is configured to be used for weighing.

The sliding type saucer 11, which is a combination of the loose fitting hole 111, the support shaft 13, and the roller 112 as described above, is based on the known technology previously proposed by the applicant in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 19831/1983. Can be used.

In addition, if the measuring device 3 does not use the scale 1 device 31 and is limited to shape selection using a camera device or a photoelectric element, the sliding surface 114 of the saucer 11 and the loose fitting hole 111
may be omitted.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a lunch holder, which is hung between support shafts 13 mounted at equal intervals in the direction of movement of the conveyor chain 12.

15 is a lock arm, 16 is a latch, and there is an allowance (gap) above and below the retaining pin 115 provided on a part of the side of the saucer 11.
The lock arm 1 is always engaged with the lock arm 1.
5 causes the latch 16 to operate in conjunction with the engagement pin 11.
5 is disengaged, and the saucer 11 is rotated downward about the support shaft 13.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a manual grade display device as a grade display means, and a necessary number of devices are installed in a part of the saucer 11 in accordance with the number of grades of fruits and vegetables 5. This manual grade display device 17 is manually operated to display a part (top surface, side surface, etc.) of the saucer 11.
Any device that causes a change or displacement that can be detected by a detection sensor, and that can be changed or changed by operating when the fruits and vegetables 5 are placed on the saucer 11, can be used. An embodiment of this manual grade display device 17, which may be detected by a sensor, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numeral 171 denotes a push switch, which is provided at a position on the upper surface of the saucer 11 where it can be easily operated.

This push switch! 71 can use a push button, lever type, toggle type, or other operation switch.

Reference numeral 172 denotes a detection piece, which is configured to protrude below the saucer 11 in conjunction with the operation of the push switch 171.

The detection piece 172 may be formed to protrude from either side of the saucer 11 as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, this detection piece 172 is configured to be restored to its original state (depressed state) by mechanical means after passing through an equal edge detection device 2, which will be described later. Many mechanisms can be used for this mechanical means of restoration, such as operating a push button on an electric fan (even if either the strong or medium 1/low push button is in the ON state, the OFF push button is not pressed). It is also possible to use a mechanism that allows any push button to be returned to its engaged state by pressing it.

Alternatively, a restoring rail such as a roller cam or a rail cam (none of which is shown) may be brought into contact with the restoring member to push it up to its original state and restore it.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a push switch 171, such as a push button type or toggle type, that appears and disappears from the upper surface of the saucer 11, and the state of the push switch 171 is detected by an equal edge detection device 2, which will be described later. It may also be configured such that a green signal is taken in.

In this embodiment, two manual grade display devices 17 described above are installed on the saucer 11 to distinguish between three grades.

In other words, the control circuit is configured such that when the push switch 171a is pressed, the grade is excellent, when the push switch 171b is pressed, the grade is not excellent, and when neither the push switch 171a or 171b is pressed, it is judged as good. do.

In this embodiment, two push switches 171 are installed on the saucer 11, but it is easy to install a plurality of different push switches 171 depending on the type of grade.

Further, this manual grade display device 17 can be used, for example, on the saucer 11.
If a power source such as a battery is built in or a power supply device that supplies power to the saucer 11 from the outside is used, the push switch 171 such as an illuminated push button can be used for operation. The operation status can be easily determined, and operations such as discovering operational errors by the grade judge and changing the grade can be easily performed.

The equal plate detection device 2 is installed at a predetermined position on the conveyor 1 with a tray, and detects the detection piece 1 of the manual grade display device 17 of the tray 11.
72 is detected when it passes through the grade detection position 2 (
establish. This equal plate detection device 2 can use many detection switches such as a photoelectric switch, a microswitch, or a proximity switch.

The measuring device 3 uses a weighing device such as an electronic scale or a load cell type that measures the weight of the fruits and vegetables 5 on the tray 11 at the lower part of the travel path of the conveyor 1 with a tray and outputs a measurement signal. The measuring device 3 may also be a shape measuring device using a known technique combining a sensor camera and a lighting device, and may be appropriately set according to the selection standard of the object to be selected.

In addition, when using a sensor camera as the measuring device 3,
In order to prevent the reflected light from the upper surface of the saucer 11 from going toward the sensor of the sensor camera above, the upper surface of the saucer 11 is preferably formed in a black waveform (not shown).

The arithmetic processing device 4 has a control circuit with a built-in CPU, and ranks the measured values measured by the measuring device 3 by comparing them with preset class standard values, and also classifies the measured values from the grade detection bag W2. In combination with the grade signal, the signal is outputted to the discharging device 6 provided at a predetermined position on the downstream side in synchronization with the receiving tray 11 for sorting into two classes on the equal edge side.

The discharge device 6 uses a solenoid, and the sorting from the arithmetic processing device 4 is driven by a signal to operate the lock arm 15 to rotate the tray 11 downward and discharge the fruits and vegetables 5 from the tray 11. are doing.

7 is an unloading device, which is provided corresponding to the ejecting device 6;
It is provided so that fruits and vegetables 5 discharged from a tray 11 are carried out of the machine. This unloading device 7 can be configured using a chute, a pull-out conveyor, or the like.

The operation of sorting multiple grades using the sorting machine configured as described above will be described below.

Before the fruits and vegetables 5 are supplied to the tray IT, the grade is visually determined by a fruit sorter, and then placed on the tray 11 to be transferred.
Manual grade display device 17 corresponding to the visually determined grade
Press the push switch 171 to display equal lines.

When the fruits and vegetables thus supplied in the isoline display are placed on the tray ti and transferred and pass through the isoline detection device 2,
The manual grade display device 17 detects the detection piece 172 that is displayed in equal lines and sends a grade signal to the arithmetic processing device 4.Next, the measuring device 3 measures the weight or shape of the fruits and vegetables 5, and the arithmetic processing device 3 The measurement data is sent to the storage device, and the data is classified by comparing it with the preset class standard values.In conjunction with the grade signal, the signal is output to the corresponding discharge device 6 for sorting into 9 classes on the equal edge side, and the signal is sent to the discharge device 7. Fruits and vegetables can be discharged.

The above description and the accompanying drawings are examples of implementation, and do not limit the invention.Of course, the invention may be applied to other shapes and arrangements as long as it is within the scope of the claims. It is.

For example, the isoline display means may include a change in shape in a part of the receiver @11,
Alternatively, in addition to the embodiment in which the display is displaced, it is also possible to configure the display so that the slide piece is moved by manual operation and the color changes.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention is provided with isoline display means for manually displaying the grade of fruits and vegetables on a part of the tray of the sorting machine, and detects the grade of each tray displayed by the grade display means, and detects the grade of the fruits and vegetables. A signal is output, the appearance shape or weight of fruits and vegetables is measured using a measuring device, the fruits and vegetables are classified into classes, and outputted along with the above-mentioned grading signal to the corresponding discharge device and discharged, and the fruit and vegetables are sorted and sorted by one rank on the equal side. This is what was done.

That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to sort and sort fruits and vegetables into multiple grades by supplying 100x to each tray of a single sorting conveyor, regardless of the grading rate of fruits and vegetables. The number of threads can be significantly reduced,
Efficient sorting and sorting can be achieved by increasing the filling rate per strip with low equipment costs.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the grade display is performed using a push switch or the like that is easy to operate, which has the advantage of improving work efficiency and increasing the throughput per person.

Furthermore, the grade can be easily corrected by pressing the push switch of the grade display, which eliminates the need for laborious work such as directly touching the fruits and vegetables and changing the transport route. Even in the case of fruits and vegetables such as melons and watermelons, which are heavy and easily damaged by impact, the grade can be easily corrected, and it is effective in reducing physical fatigue and other labor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an overall plan view of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the same, and Fig. 3 is an overall plan view of the present invention.
The figure is a partial plan view of a conveyor with a tray, FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the same, and FIGS. 5 to 9 are perspective views explaining the tray.
FIG. 1θ and FIG. 11 are both plan views showing conventional sorting facilities. l...conveyor with saucer 2...equal edge detection device 3.
...Measuring device 4...Arithmetic processing device 5...
Fruits and vegetables 6... Discharge device 7... Carrying out device 11... Receiving tray 12... Conveyor chain 13... Support shaft 14... Lunch holder 15... Lock arm 16... Latch 1
7... Manual grade display device 31... Weighing device 111... Loose fitting hole 112... Roller 11
3... Mounting part 114 Sliding surface 115... Engagement pin 171... Push switch 172...
・Detection piece $6 Figure 6! Easy 70 171

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A conveyor with a saucer provided with a grade display means for manually displaying the grade of the fruits and vegetables on a part of each saucer on which fruits and vegetables are placed, and detecting the grade of each saucer displayed by the grade display means. In addition, a grade detection means for outputting a detected grade signal; a measuring means for measuring weight or shape provided in the measuring section of the conveyor with a saucer; and a grade signal detected by the grade detection means and a measuring means for measuring the weight or shape The fruit and vegetable sorting device comprises a sorting and discharging means equipped with an arithmetic processing device that outputs a sorting signal to the corresponding sorting and discharging device in synchronization with the tray based on the measured value and a class signal. Grade sorting machine.