JPH0889125A - Weight-grading device for domestic fowl - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain the weight-grading device for the domestic fowls, little in the happening of troubles with a high accuracy. CONSTITUTION: The weight-grading device for the fowls comprises a domestic fowl-carrying means 10, a detection means 20 for detecting the weight of the domestic fowl, a conversion means for converting the detection result into a weight signal, a judging means for comparing the weight signal with a specific threshold to output a grading signal, and a grading means for grading the domestic fowl on the basis of the grading signal. The detection means and the grading means are integrally disposed on a carrying means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a weight sorting apparatus for poultry. More specifically, the present invention weighs poultry while transferring it by means of a belt conveyor.
The present invention relates to a device for automatically selecting a product having a predetermined weight. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used particularly for selecting chickens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, poultry refers to chickens, domestic ducks, gooses, turkeys and the like, and various kinds of them are bred. Among them, chickens are widely bred nationwide for egg collection and meat. , The industrial field as a poultry industry has been established.

In the poultry industry for meat, it is important to accurately control the weight of the bred chickens. For example, the weight of the chicks being bred can be carefully controlled and compared with the ideal weight. By adjusting the amount, it is possible to reduce the cost of feeding. In addition, it is desirable that the weight of chickens to be shipped be uniform, and it is desirable to measure and check the weight of the chickens before shipping before shipping.

[0004] To describe in detail the quality control when the chickens are shipped, the chickens are generally classified according to the age after hatching in the poultry house, and chickens having almost the same age are grouped into a group. The amount of feed and the amount of water supply are managed. And
A group that has passed a predetermined age is shipped for meat. That is,
The timing of shipping chickens is determined by the age of the flock.

Recently, however, a high level of quality control is required even when processing chickens, and it is required that the weight of chickens shipped each time does not change with each shipment.
Moreover, even in the same group, there is a slowing of growth, and even if the entire group reaches a predetermined age, there may be differences in the weight of individual chickens. It is required to make the weight of individual chickens as uniform as possible.

Conventionally, there have been the following methods (J1) and (J2) for the technique of measuring the weight of chickens.
As the method 1), the following techniques (a) to (c) are
The following technique (d) is known as the method (J2). (J1) Method of sampling and weighing a part of chickens from the target group (a) A worker randomly picks some chickens and weighs each, and obtains the average value of them. The average weight of chickens in the entire group. (A) Install a perch with a load cell inside the poultry house,
The number and weight of chickens on the perch are calculated to obtain the average weight (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-33447). (C) A platform with a load cell is provided inside the poultry house, and each chicken is allowed to freely ride on the platform, and the weight of the chicken is measured (Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-109).
No. 76). (J2) Method of measuring the total number of chickens in the target group (d) Weigh all the chickens using a weight sorter.

[0007] The technique (d) is a technique for weighing the weight of each chicken by using a weight sorting device, and not only weighing but also automatically measuring chickens in a predetermined weight range. You can also select.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view and a partial elevational view showing an example of a conventional general weight sorting apparatus. The weight sorting device of FIG. 4 is composed of three devices: a transfer device 200, a weighing device 210, and a sorting device 220. FIG. 4 (a) is a front view of the three devices, and FIG. Sorting device 22
0 shows an elevation view of 0.

The transfer device 200 includes a belt conveyor 205 that operates in the direction of arrow A.

The weighing device 210 is provided with its own belt conveyor 215. The weighing device 210 is arranged at a position where the belt conveyor 215 is close to or slightly in contact with the belt conveyor 205, and a joint V is formed between the belt conveyor 215 and the belt conveyor 205. The weighing device 210 is equipped with a detection means 211, which can detect the weight of the belt conveyor 215.
As the detection means 211, various scales such as a geometric balance, a spring scale, and a balance spring composite type are used. In addition, the detection means 21
A conversion unit (not shown) for amplifying the detected amount of 1 to obtain a weight signal is also provided. Generally, there are a differential transformer type, a load cell type, etc. as a kind of converting means (Japan Hood Science, Vol. 18, No. 4, pages 78 to 83, 1979), and these are the same as the detecting means. It may be configured separately or integrally. Further, the weight signal obtained by the converting means is compared with a preset threshold value, and a discriminating means (not shown) for issuing a discriminating signal according to the level of the threshold value is also provided. The output line of is connected to the selection device 220.

The sorting device 220 also has its own belt conveyor 2
25 are provided. The sorting device 220 is arranged at a position where the belt conveyor 225 is close to or slightly in contact with the belt conveyor 215, and a joint W is formed between the belt conveyor 215 and the belt conveyor 225. The sorting device 220 uses the repelling plate 22 as a sorting means.
1, the repelling plate 221 has a step mode.
And a reciprocating fan (not shown) reciprocally rotate like a fan [Fig.
(See (a)]. In addition, in general, as the selecting means, other than the flipper method using a repelling plate, a carrier method,
Dropout method, trip method, pusher method, etc.
There are various types (Japan Hood Science, 18th)
Vol. 4, p. 78-83, 1979).

Next, the operation of the weight selecting device having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The object to be weighed is first placed on the upper surface of the belt conveyor 205 and conveyed to the weighing device 210.

The object to be weighed is transferred from the belt conveyor 205 to the belt conveyor 215 via the joint V and placed on the belt conveyor 215. At this time, the increase in weight is detected by the detection means 211 and then output as a weight signal by the conversion means. The output weight signal is sent to the control device, compared with a preset threshold value, and a sorting signal corresponding to the level of the threshold value is sent to the sorting device 220. During this time, the objects to be weighed are sorted from the weighing device 210 via the joint W by the sorting device 220.
Be transferred to.

The objects to be weighed transferred to the sorting device 220 are moved to the left and right in the traveling direction with the direction of arrow A as the traveling direction by the fan-shaped reciprocating rotation of the repelling plate 221 according to the sorting signal sent from the control device. It is flipped in the direction.

When the weight sorting device as described above is used for weighing and sorting poultry, it becomes possible to automatically sort chickens of a predetermined weight.

[0017]

The above-mentioned technique (a) is
Work efficiency is poor because it relies mainly on human labor, which is not desirable for commercial use. In addition, the techniques in (a) and (c) above measure only a portion of chickens, so the measurement results are probabilistically evaluated. However, there was a drawback that the reliability was poor.

As described above, there are chickens that grow fast and chickens that grow quickly even in the same group. Recently, in terms of quality control,
Slowly growing chickens have to be removed from the flock as unfit for shipping. However, with the above techniques (a) and (c), it was not possible to select chickens suitable for shipping and chickens that were not suitable for shipment in the same group, and it was not possible to utilize for fine quality control. .

On the other hand, in the technique (d), all chickens in one group can be weighed and automatically selected,
It is highly reliable and can judge the suitability of shipment for each chicken.

However, the technique (d) has the following problems. That is, in the weight selection device of FIG. 4, a transfer device 200 for loading chickens and a weighing device 21.
0 and the sorting device 220 are separately configured, so that when the chicken moves from the transfer device 200 to the weighing device 210, or when the chicken moves from the weighing device 210 to the sorting device 220, the chicken has each seam. There was the inconvenience that the V or W was startled and started to rampage, and the accuracy of weighing was deteriorated, and the chicken leg was caught in the joint and the flow of the chicken stopped.

Generally, the floor of the poultry house is
In many cases, the soil is left exposed without paving. However, when the weight sorting device is installed on the uneven floor, the device itself may tilt. However, since a general weight sorter is designed on the assumption that it is used in a horizontal state, there is a tendency that accurate weighing cannot be performed.

After all, even if the conventional weight sorting device is applied to the sorting of chickens, there is a problem that the chickens tend to run wild, resulting in poor accuracy and troubles.
There has been no satisfactory apparatus for carrying out the technique (d).

The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies on a weight sorting apparatus for poultry, which is applicable not only to chickens but also to general poultry, and as a result, devise the arrangement of the transfer means, the weighing means, and the sorting means. As a result, it was found that a device that does not cause the chicken to rampage and that the trouble is extremely rare can be obtained, and the present invention has been completed.

In view of the above problems and research results, the present invention has the following problems (K1) and (K2). (K1) To provide a weight sorting apparatus for poultry, which can perform accurate weighing and sorting without causing rampage of poultry. (K2) To provide a weight sorting apparatus for poultry, which does not cause a trouble that the legs of the poultry are caught.

[0025]

The present invention devised to solve the above problems will be described below. The elements of the present invention will be described in order to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. The code of the elements of the example is enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described below is to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

1 and 2 are a schematic diagram and a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a belt conveyor type transfer means (10) for transferring poultry, a detection means (20) for detecting and outputting the weight of poultry transferred by the transfer means, A conversion means (10) for amplifying the value output by the detection means and outputting it as a weight signal.
5), a discrimination means (110) for comparing the weight signal output by the conversion means with a predetermined threshold and outputting the result as a selection signal, and sorting the poultry based on the selection signal output by the determination means Selection means (30)
In a poultry weight sorting apparatus including: a detection means (20) and a sorting means (30), one transfer means (1)
0) is a single unit for weight sorting apparatus for poultry.

The present invention provides the weight sorting apparatus for poultry according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the detecting means is provided below the carrier side belt at a position a predetermined distance from the starting end of the transferring means (10). (20) is arranged and the detection means (2
It is a desirable mode that the selecting means (30) is arranged at a position closer to the terminal end than the position where (0) is arranged (hereinafter referred to as the second mode).

In the poultry weight sorting apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the sorting means (30) is provided adjacent to both sides of the belt (11) of the transfer means (10). It has a book gate (36, 37),
A desirable mode is one in which the poultry is distributed in two or three directions by interlocking the gates (36, 37) of the book with each other to reciprocate in a fan shape on the belt (11) (hereinafter referred to as the third embodiment).
Of the above).

In the poultry weight sorting apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means (110) detects the angle of inclination of the detecting means (20) and outputs it as an inclination angle signal. It is desirable to include an angle detection means (116) and correct the weight signal of the poultry on the basis of the output inclination angle signal to eliminate the influence of inclination (hereinafter referred to as a fourth aspect). List).

Furthermore, the present invention also has a preferred embodiment in which the moving speed of the belt (11) of the transfer means (10) is in the range of 30 cm / sec or more and 130 cm / sec or less. (Hereinafter, described as a fifth aspect).

The constituent elements of the first invention of the present invention can be used by diverting the constituent elements of the conventional weight sorting apparatus. That is, the belt conveyor type transfer means (1
0), the detection means (20), the conversion means (105), the discrimination means (110), and the sorting means (30) may be the same as the conventional weight sorting apparatus.

As the "belt conveyor type transfer means",
A conventional general belt conveyor can be used, but a transfer means using the same principle, that is, a transfer means of circulating an annular belt endlessly and placing an article to be transferred on the belt. Anything can be used as long as it is. Therefore, in addition to the belt conveyor, a wire mesh chain conveyor, a flat top conveyor, etc. can be used, and commercially available ones can be used.

In the present invention, various terms are used for the belt conveyor type transfer means, and the definitions of these terms will be described below.

In the general transfer means of the type in which the band is circulated endlessly, the band is simply referred to as a "belt". The reason why the band is referred to as a "belt" is to facilitate understanding of the present invention.
This is not for limiting the range of the transfer means to the belt conveyor. Further, in the present invention, the belt on the upper side of the belt, that is, the belt on which the article to be transferred is placed is called the carrier side, and the lower belt, that is, the belt on the returning side after circulation is called the return side. I shall. Further, in the present invention, as the designation of both end portions of the transfer means, assuming that the carrier-side belt is moving from upstream to downstream, the most upstream end portion of the carrier-side belt is called the start end, and the carrier-side belt The end portion located at the most downstream side of the belt will be referred to as an end portion. Therefore, the belt moves from the start end to the end end through the carrier side, then returns from the end end to the start end through the return side, and circulates endlessly.

In the transfer means (10) used in the present invention, since the detection means (20) and the sorting means (30) are integrally arranged between the start end and the end, the length from the start end to the end is small. , Need enough length to place these. Further, in order to carry out accurate metering, it is desirable to use a device in which the flow of the belt is smooth and has little vibration, and further, the belt is preferably a seamless and seamless type. Therefore, as the transfer means (10), a rubber belt conveyor using a rubber belt is most preferable, and a super line belt SPSL manufactured by Wyo-Plant Co., Ltd.
-TAJ etc. can be illustrated.

The detecting means (20) is means for converting the weight of poultry into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and a load cell, a differential transformer type device and the like can be exemplified. These are installed in such a manner that the weight of the poultry transferred by the transfer means (10) can be detected in the transferred state. The output line of the detection means (20) is connected to the conversion means (105).

The converting means (105) is means for amplifying the output of the detecting means (20) and outputting it as a weight signal. Examples of the weight signal include analog signals such as a current of 4 to 20 milliamperes and a voltage of 1 to 5 volts. Further, the detecting means (20) and the converting means (10
It does not necessarily have to be configured as a separate body from 5), and may be configured as one body. For example, a commercially available electric balance that can obtain a weight signal may be used. The output line of the weight signal is the discrimination means (110).
Is connected to.

The discriminating means (110) is a device for comparing the weight signal output by the converting means (105) with a predetermined threshold value and outputting the comparison result as a selection signal.
The weight signal and the threshold value may be compared with each other in any manner, for example, the weight signal may be compared with one threshold value, and two kinds of selection signals larger or smaller than this may be output. It is also possible to output three kinds of selection signals of large, medium and small by comparing with two threshold values. Such discrimination means (11
As 0), a commercially available analog controller can be used. The output line of the selection signal is connected to the selection means (30).

The sorting means (30) is a means for sorting poultry on the basis of the sorting signal. Basically, mechanical means (31 to 37) for mechanically sorting poultry and receiving the sorting signal. And electrical means (38, 39) for controlling the mechanical means.

The electrical means (38, 39) receives the selection signal and, in response thereto, the mechanical means (31-31).
37) is a device for controlling, and a commercially available sequencer or the like can be used.

The mechanical means (31 to 37) is a device for actually distributing the poultry on the belt (11), and other than the known method such as the flipper method,
Any type of device such as a carrier system, a dropout system, a trip system, and a pusher system can be adopted. However, those that can handle poultry delicately are preferable, and those that use the gate as in the examples described later are most preferable. These mechanical means (31-37) are suitable drive sources (32), such as stepping motors,
It is driven by a motor having a cam mechanism, a motor having a forward / reverse rotation inverter, and the like.

In the present invention, the selection means (30)
Electrical means (38, 39) and the discrimination means (1
It may be integrated with 10) or may be replaced with a commercially available personal computer or the like. In that case, an analog-to-digital converter is required. Further, a suitable filter device may be inserted in the connection between the conversion means (105) and the determination means (110), that is, the line for outputting the weight signal. In this case, various noises caused by the vibration of the transfer means (10) can be removed, and more accurate weighing and sorting can be performed.

The first invention of the present invention is to provide one transfer means (1
The detection means (20) and the selection means (30) are integrally arranged in the unit 0). The detection means (2
Regarding 0) and the sorting means (30), "integrally arranged in one transfer means" means that the transfer function of one transfer means (10) is not excluded.
That is, unlike the conventional device described above, each of them is configured separately and does not have a means for separately transferring poultry, and one transfer means (10) includes the detection means (2).
0) and sorting means (30) are arranged. Therefore, the weight of poultry can be detected and sorted without unloading the poultry from the transfer means (10), that is, with one transfer means (10) still transferring the poultry.

The arrangement of the detection means (20) integrally with one transfer means (10) means that the detection means (2)
0) means that at least a portion for detecting the weight is arranged. For example, when a load cell is used as the detection means (20), the "integrally arranged" mode is a mode in which the load cell is installed below the carrier side belt of the transfer means (10). As an example, it is also possible to install an arm that swings according to the size of the weight on the lower side of the carrier-side belt and install a load cell at the end of the arm. In this case, the load cell is installed in a place different from that of the transfer means (10), but since the arm can be regarded as a portion for detecting the weight, this is the case. However, it is included in the scope of the "integrated arrangement" of the present invention.

Further, to integrally dispose the sorting means (30) on one transfer means (10) means to exclusively arrange the mechanical means (31 to 37) of the sorting means (30). pointing. Therefore electrical means (38, 39)
With respect to the above, it may be an aspect in which it is integrated with the mechanical means (31 to 37) and arranged in the one transfer means (10), but the electrical means (38, 39) are provided separately and mechanically. A mode in which only the means (31 to 37) are arranged in the one transfer means (10) may be adopted. In any of the aspects of the present invention, the sorting means (3) is provided in one transfer means (10).
0) shall be included in the range of being arranged integrally. That is, in the present invention, arranging the sorting means (30) integrally means arranging at least a portion of the sorting means (30) that actually acts and sorts the poultry on the conveyor.

The mode recommended in the first aspect of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the first mode) includes both the detecting means (20) and the sorting means (30) as the transfer means (10). It is arranged at a position (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a predetermined position) at a predetermined distance from the start end of the. In this case, the detecting means (2
0) is arranged on the lower side of the carrier side belt, and the sorting means (30) is arranged on the upper side of the carrier side belt. When the poultry is transported and reaches a predetermined position, both weighing and sorting steps can be performed at this predetermined position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the transfer means (1
0) at a predetermined distance from the start end (that is, a predetermined position), the detection means (2) is provided below the carrier-side belt.
0) is arranged in the same manner as in the first aspect. However, in the second aspect, the sorting means (30) is not arranged at a predetermined position, but is arranged at a position closer to the terminal end side than the predetermined position. Therefore, in the second aspect, the detection means (20) and the selection means (30) are successively arranged in order toward the terminal end side of the transfer means (10).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the selection means (3
0), particularly the structure of the mechanical means (31 to 37) of the sorting means. Third
The sorting means (30) of the invention of claim 2 has two gates (36, 3) close to both sides of the belt (11) of the transfer means (10).
7) is provided. The two gates (36, 37) are connected to respective rotatable shafts (36a, 37a),
The shafts (36a, 37a) are erected close to the belt (11) of the transfer means (10). The gate (3
6, 37) is provided on the belt (11) on the shafts (36a, 3).
It can reciprocate in a fan shape around 7a).
Therefore, the height of the gates (36, 37) is such that the bottom of the gates (36, 37) is slightly higher than the surface of the belt (11), that is, the height of the gates (36, 37). It is installed at a height with a slight gap between the bottom and the belt (11).

"The two gates are interlocked" means that the two gates (36, 37) are in a substantially parallel positional relationship during operation. 2 by being parallel
The part of the book between the gates (36, 37) forms a flow path for the passage of poultry. That is, the fan-shaped reciprocating movement of the two gates parallel to each other is nothing but the fan-shaped flow passage for passing the poultry. Poultry can be distributed in two or three directions by adjusting the shaking direction.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means (110) includes an angle detecting means (116). The angle detecting means (116) is the detecting means (20).
Is a means for detecting the inclination angle from the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and the installation location is not necessarily the detection means (20).
It does not need to be, and may be any place of the device (3, 4) of the present invention as long as the inclination can be detected. As the angle detecting means (116), a structure in which a weight is supported from the ceiling portion via a strain gauge is simple. In such a structure, when the weight tilts, strain occurs in the strain gauge according to the tilt, and the electric resistance changes. The inclination angle can be detected by amplifying the change in the resistance value. However, the one using a pendulum is more accurate and desirable. The principle is to balance the force so that the amount of displacement of the pendulum is brought to the zero position by the electric spring of the servo mechanism, and detect the tilt angle from the feedback current at that time. There are commercially available sensors of this type, MC10 manufactured by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd.
0L can be illustrated.

Further, other types such as DAS-20 manufactured by PASCO ENGINEERING CO., LTD. May be used. The output line of the angle detecting means (116) is connected to the determining means (110).

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving speed of the belt (11) of the transfer means (10) is in the range of 30 cm / sec or more and 130 cm / sec or less. This range is the desired range for measuring poultry.

That is, the moving speed of the belt (11) is 30
If it is less than centimeters / second, the poultry roam flat on the belt (11), making it difficult to accurately weigh it. If it exceeds 130 centimeters / second, the poultry will be swallowed by the belt (11). It may fall on the ground and lack stability. Therefore, 30 centimeters / second or more,
If the moving speed is less than 130 centimeters / second, the poultry is terrified by the speed of the belt (11),
In practical use, the state is sufficient for weighing and sorting. The above-mentioned appropriate moving speed varies depending on the type of poultry and the character of each poultry, but as a result of repeating various experiments, particularly 70 centimeters / second or more, 100 centimeters / second or more.
It has been confirmed that all of them stay on the belt within the range of seconds or less, and if more certainty is required, the above 70 cm / sec or more, 100 cm / sec or more.
It is desirable to set it in the range of seconds or less.

In the present invention described above, the timing at which the individual components operate can be determined by various means. For example, transfer means (10)
Above the belt (11) of the optical switch (114) by a suitable position detecting means, for example, a photoelectric tube and a photoelectric sensor.
It is also possible to detect the moment when poultry passes the optical switch (114) and determine the timing of starting weighing and sorting.

[0056]

Next, the operation of the present invention having the above construction will be described.

In the first invention of the present invention, poultry (C)
Is first placed on the belt (11) of the transfer means (10). Next, the poultry (C) is transferred to the position where the detection means (20) is arranged by the transfer means (10). In the present invention, the detection means (20)
, Which are integrally arranged in one transfer means (10),
The weight can be detected with the poultry (C) placed on the belt (11). The value detected by the detection means (20) is output to the conversion means (105), amplified to be a weight signal, and output to the determination means (110).

The discrimination means (110) compares the weight signal with a preset threshold value and outputs a selection signal to the selection means (30) according to the level of the threshold value. The sorting means (30) sorts the poultry (C) according to the sorting signal (30), and the sorting means (30), particularly the mechanical means (31 to 37), transfers the transport means (10). ), The poultry (C) is placed on the belt (1
Poultry (C) can be sorted in the state of being placed on 1).

As is clear from the operation of the present invention described above,
The present invention provides the detection means (20) and the selection means (30).
By integrally arranging the poultry on one transfer means (10), the poultry (C) does not get over the seam when moving to the place where each means is arranged. Therefore, the poultry (C) will not be frightened and run wild at the joint, and the problem that the foot is caught at the joint cannot occur.

The operation of the first aspect will be described. As described above, in the first aspect, both the detection means (20) and the selection means (30) are arranged at the predetermined positions of the transfer means (10). Then, from the start end of the transfer means (10) to a predetermined position, a normal belt conveyor type transfer means (1
0) can be used.

First, the poultry (C) is placed on the belt (11) from the starting end of the transfer means (10) to a predetermined position. The movement of the belt (11) causes the poultry (C) to be transferred to a predetermined position. The "predetermined distance" of the "position at a predetermined distance from the starting end of the transfer means" mentioned above means a space for carrying the poultry (C) on the belt (11) and a predetermined distance. It is a distance that allows the poultry (C) to be stable and stationary on the belt (11) before reaching the position.

The detecting means (20) is arranged below the carrier side belt, and the poultry (C) has the belt (11).
It reaches the top of the detection means (20) while being mounted on. In this state, the weight of poultry (C) is detected. After that, according to the procedure of the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, the sorting signal is output to the sorting means (30), and the poultry at the predetermined position is sorted by the sorting means (30) according to the sorting signal.

The action of the second aspect of the present invention is to obtain poultry (C)
Is reached to a predetermined position, the weight is detected by the detection means (20), and the selection signal is output to the selection means (30), which is the same as the operation of the first invention.

In the second aspect, the transfer means (1
The sorting means (30) is arranged closer to the end than the predetermined position of (0). Therefore, the poultry (C) weighed at the predetermined position is subsequently transferred by the transfer means (10), reaches the position where the sorting means (30) is arranged, and is then sorted. Therefore, while selecting the poultry (C), the next poultry can be transferred to a predetermined position and weighed, and the poultry can be continuously processed one after another. That is, in the second aspect of the present invention, the processing speed can be made higher than that in the first aspect.

The third aspect of the present invention is to provide two gates (3
6, 37) are arranged in parallel with each other and form a flow path for passing the poultry (C). When the two gates (36, 37) interlock and reciprocate in a fan shape, this flow path moves in a fan shape. Therefore, for example, when the flow path is directed leftward with respect to the traveling direction of the carrier-side belt, the poultry (C) transferred by the belt (11) will follow the belt (11) according to the direction of the flow path.
When the flow channel is distributed to the left side of the carrier side belt and is directed to the right side in the traveling direction of the carrier-side belt, the poultry (C) transferred by the belt (11) moves according to the direction of the flow channel. ), The poultry (C) is eventually sorted in two directions. Further, if the flow path is directed in the same direction as the traveling direction of the carrier-side belt, the poultry (C) will be transferred to the end of the belt (11) as it is, and eventually sorted in three directions.

In the operation of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the angle detecting means (116) detects the inclination of the detecting means (20) and outputs an inclination angle signal. The inclination angle signal is output to the discrimination means (110), and the discrimination means (110) corrects the weight value of the poultry (C) according to the inclination angle. Generally, when the device is tilted, the weight value is smaller than when it is horizontal. Therefore, the discriminating means (110) adds a predetermined numerical value according to the inclination angle to the value of the weight of the poultry (C).

By this action, poultry (C) can be accurately weighed and sorted even in a place where the floor is uneven.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving speed of the belt (11) of the transfer means (10) is in the range of 30 cm / sec or more and 130 cm / sec or less. In this range, poultry (C) belts (11)
I feel a little fear of my speed, and my body is scooped and still. Therefore, the poultry (C) can be accurately weighed and sorted with the poultry (C) standing still on the belt (11).

The present invention can be applied to all poultry such as chickens, domestic ducks, gooses, and turkeys. However, considering the size of the market and the importance of quality control, chickens,
It is most desirable to apply it especially for broilers,
It is effective.

[0070]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention,
“Front” means the direction of arrow X1 (see FIG. 1) in the figure, and “rear” means the direction of arrow X2 (see FIG. 1) in the figure,
"Left" means the direction of arrow Y1 (see FIG. 1) in the figure, that is, the left-hand side when facing the "front", and "right" means arrow Y2 in the figure (see FIG. 1). ), That is, the direction on the right-hand side when facing the “front”.

Example 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an example of the weight sorting apparatus for poultry of the present invention. In FIG. 1, (a) is a schematic front view, and (a) is a plan view showing a schematic cross section taken along line XX ′ of (a).

(Structure of First Embodiment) The structure of the apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. A caster-2 is provided on the bottom surface of the apparatus body 3, and the apparatus body 3 is movably placed on the floor 1. The apparatus main body 3 has a shape in which a rectangular tube whose both ends are open is laid down, and a transfer means 10, a detection means 20, and a selection means 30 are arranged inside.

The frame 4 is fixed to the side wall of the apparatus body 3, and the frame 4 is bridged inside the apparatus body 3.
A transfer means 10 is installed on the frame 4. The transfer means 10 includes a starting pulley 14, a driven pulley 12,
And a belt 11 arranged to surround the frame 4, and a drive unit 13 having a motor (not shown) therein.
It is composed by. The driven pulley 12 is installed on the frame 4, but the arm 15 and the bolt nut 1
The horizontal position can be adjusted by 5a.
By adjusting the horizontal position of the driven pulley 12, the tension of the belt 11 is adjusted. The start-up pulley 14 is directly installed on the apparatus main body 3 and has a power transmission belt (not shown).
It is connected to the driving device 13 by means of.

The detecting means 20 is composed of a top plate 22 (a length of 600 mm in the front-rear direction) and four load cells 21 (HL2KA manufactured by Kyowa Denki Co., Ltd.) supporting the top plate 22. The top plate 22 and the load cell 21 are installed by cutting out a part of the frame 4.

The selecting means 30 includes two rotating shafts 36a, 3
Two gates 36 and 37, each of which is pivotally supported by 7a.
One motor 32 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, SF-JR, which reciprocally rotates two rotary shafts 36a, 37a).
0.2 kW), and the operation of the motor 32 is 2
The chain 31 is configured to be transmitted to the rotary shafts 36a and 37a of the book. The motor 32 is connected to a forward / reverse rotation inverter (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) so that the forward / reverse rotation can be freely performed.

In the apparatus main body 3, a cutout window 33 is opened on the right side wall, and a cutout window 34 is opened on the left side wall. These are wide enough to correspond to the fan-shaped movement of the gates 36 and 37, respectively. It is opened by That is, the gates 36 and 37
Can be freely fan-shaped moved inside and outside the apparatus body 3 through the cutout windows 33 and 34, respectively. At the end of the transfer means 10, the end of the device body 3 is opened to form an opening 35.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer means 10 is divided into three sections, that is, the loading section E, the weighing section F, and the sorting section G from the rear to the front, depending on its function. be able to. In the vicinity of the boundary between the carry-in section E and the weighing section F, photoelectric switches 114 (manufactured by Keyence, P, manufactured by Keyence Corporation) are provided on the left and right sidewalls of the main body 3 to detect that poultry have crossed.
Z-51) is provided. Also, in the frame 4,
Angle detecting means 116 (M, manufactured by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd., M
C100L) is installed.

The detection means 20, the selection means 30, the photoelectric switch 114, the angle detection means 116, etc. are each in the control system 10.
Although connected to 0, each device of the control system 100 is shown in FIG.
Are not shown.

Next, the control system 100 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Further, as described above, the sorting means 30 includes the mechanical means 31 to 37 and the electrical means 3.
8 and 39, of which mechanical means 31 to 3
7 has already been described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the electrical means 38, 39 will also be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining the control system 100 and electric means 38, 39 of the poultry weight sorting apparatus shown in FIG.

The control system 100 includes an amplifier 105 (Kyowa Dengyo Co., Ltd., conditioner, WGA-710A) and a digital panel meter 110 (OMRON Corporation, K3T).
S).

In FIG. 2, the detecting means 20 comprises a top plate 22 and a load cell 21, and the load cell 21 is connected to the amplifier 105 by a signal line 23. The output of the amplifier 105 is connected to the digital panel meter 110 by the output line 101. Three output lines 111 to 113 for selection signals are connected to the digital panel meter 110, the ends of which are connected to a sequencer 39 (key).
It is connected to Enz Co., Ltd., KZ-40).

The electric means comprises a forward / reverse inverter 38 (FREQROL-Z024, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) and the sequencer 39. The output of the sequencer 39 is connected to the forward / reverse inverter 38. The forward / reverse inverter 38 includes the rotating shaft 36a,
A motor for reciprocally rotating 37a and gates 36, 37.
It is connected to 32.

The photoelectric switch 114 and the angle detecting means 116 are connected to the digital panel meter 110, respectively. The digital panel meter 110 has a filter function for removing noise from the input signal.

(Operation of First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the apparatus of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described. In the transfer means 10, the rotation of the motor installed inside the driving device 13 is transmitted to the starting pulley 14 by the power transmission belt,
The start-up pulley 14 causes the belt 11 to move circularly. The moving speed of the belt 11 is 30 cm / sec or more, 1
It is pre-adjusted to a range of 30 centimeters / second or less.

First, in the section E, the poultry C is placed on the belt 11. The poultry C is transported by the belt 11 as it is, blocks the photoelectric switch 114, and operates the photoelectric switch 114. The operation of this photoelectric switch is output as an open collector output to the digital panel meter 110 through the connection 117, and a series of weighing and sorting operations are started.

Poultry C is then transferred to section F above. Here, the poultry is placed on the top plate 22 of the detection means 20, and the load is applied to the four load cells 21. The electric signal of the load is output to the amplifier 105 through the signal line 23.
The electric signal of the load is amplified in the amplifier 105,
The weight signal is output to the digital panel meter 110 through the signal line 101. Digital panel meter 110
Has a filter function that filters out unwanted noise in the transmitted weight signal and then compares it with a predetermined threshold. In the device of FIG. 2, when the value of the weight signal is between two thresholds, it is judged as a non-defective product, and when the value of the weight signal is higher than the high threshold, it is determined as an upper limit defective product, and the low threshold is set. If the value is lower than
Open collector outputs are made to the sequencer 39 by the selection signal lines 112, 111 and 113, respectively.

Although various methods can be adopted in the digital panel meter 110 for incorporating the weight signal as data, the method of sampling and averaging the weight signal for a certain period of time is more accurate. Is most desirable from.

The sequencer 39 operates the forward / reverse inverter 38 in response to the selection signal to control the rotation direction of the motor 32, so that the gates 36 and 37 are moved in a predetermined direction. Sort. Poultry C is then transferred to section G and sorted according to the direction of gates 36,37. The timing of operating the gates 36 and 37 is determined by the digital panel meter 110, but it is performed with a time delay from the time when the photoelectric switch 114 is operated.

When the device is tilted from the horizontal position, the angle detection means 116 detects the tilt angle and outputs it to the digital panel meter 110 as a tilt angle signal.
The digital panel meter 110 corrects the weight signal according to the tilt angle signal. That is, when the device is tilted, the weight value is small according to the tilt, but a numerical value corresponding to the tilt angle signal is added to the weight value.

Next, the gates 36 and 3 of the apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.
The operation of No. 7 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operating mode of the gates 36 and 37 of the poultry weight sorting apparatus of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3A, first, the poultry C is the above E.
Placed in a section. In (a), the poultry C is transferred to the F section and weighed. The above-mentioned series of operations for weighing and sorting are performed, during which the poultry C is transferred to the G section.

FIG. 3C shows that the poultry is defective in the upper limit, that is,
Gate 36, 3 when the value is higher than the high threshold
7 shows the operating status of No. 7. In this case, the gates 36, 37 open to the left, with the poultry C on the left side of the device.

FIG. 3D shows the operating state of the gates 36 and 37 when the poultry is non-defective, that is, when the value is between the high and low threshold values. In this case, the gates 36 and 37 are directed forward, and the poultry C is transferred to the end of the transfer means 10 as it is and goes out through the opening 35 of the apparatus body 3.

FIG. 3 (e) shows that the poultry is lower limit defective product, that is,
Gate 3 when the value is lower than the low threshold
The operating conditions of Nos. 6 and 37 are shown. In this case,
The gates 36 and 37 open to the right of the device and the poultry C are removed to the right of the device body 3.

By the above operations of the gates 36 and 37, poultry can be sorted into three types according to the weight.

(Effects peculiar to the first embodiment) The first embodiment has the peculiar effects described below. (JE1) Transfer means 10, detection means 20, selection means 30
Since all are installed in a closed space inside the apparatus main body 3, a series of operations can be performed in a dark environment. Poultry are mentally stable in a dark environment and cannot move around. Further, it does not cause unnecessary stress to the poultry and does not give unnecessary stress. (JE2) The sorting means 30 has a mode in which the flow path of poultry is changed by the two gates 36 and 37. Therefore, the poultry can be sorted in a natural state, and the poultry are not damaged during the sorting.

(Modification of First Embodiment) The apparatus of the first embodiment can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, to increase the accuracy of weighing, poultry C
Although it is desirable to place the poultry C on the center of the belt 11 when placing the poultry on the belt 11, a guide for forcibly placing the poultry C on the center of the belt 11 may be installed in the E section.

A function of statistical processing can be added to the digital panel meter 110. That is, by performing statistical processing on the upper limit number of defects, the lower limit number of defects, the average weight of good products, the average weight of upper limit defective products, the average weight of lower limit defective products, the standard deviation, the weight distribution, etc. Can be used for more advanced quality control.

Example 2 Next, using the poultry weight sorter of Example 1,
An example of actually weighing and selecting poultry will be described.

About 20 broilers of 56 days old,
First, another animal balance (EB- manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation)
(3200 SA), each broiler was weighed, the weight value was recorded on the tape, and it was attached to each leg.

Then, using the apparatus of Example 1, the moving speed of the belt 11 was set to 63 cm / sec, and the high and low thresholds were set to 1600 g and 1800 g, respectively, and the total number of the broilers was weighed and selected. did. The actual weight of each broiler was compared with the selection result for the selected upper limit defective product, non-defective product, and lower limit defective product.

The above operation was repeated 8 times with various exchanges of the broiler, and as a result, the broiler was operated through all the operations.
Has never been rampaged, and has never stopped due to trouble. The accuracy of sorting is plus or minus 10.
The processing speed was 1 second per bird.

It was found from the second embodiment that the device of the present invention can weigh and sort poultry with extremely high accuracy and without any trouble.

[0105]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. (E1) According to the device of the present invention, poultry can be accurately weighed and sorted without being violent. (E2) According to the device of the present invention, the trouble of catching the legs of poultry does not occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a poultry weight sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a control system and electrical means of the poultry weight sorting apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a gate 36 of the weight sorting apparatus for poultry of Example 1,
32 is a schematic view showing an operation mode of 37.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view and a partial elevational view showing an example of a conventional general weight sorting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Transfer Means 11 Belt 20 Detecting Means 21 Rod Cell 30 Sorting Means 33 Notch Window 34 Notch Window 35 Opening 36 Gate 37 Gate 38 Forward / Reverse Inverter 39 Sequencer 105 Amplifier 110 Analog Condroller 114 Photoelectric switch 116 Angle detecting means 200 Transfer device 210 Measuring device 220 Sorting device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakanuma 4-515 Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo 4-515 Morinaga Dairy Co., Ltd., Device Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Junichi Otsuji 4-515 Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Morinaga Milk Industry (72) Inventor Tomoji Ebata 4-515 Tateno, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. Inside Device Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Tadashi Kondo 919 Aoki, Aoki, Kuroiso, Tochigi Prefecture ITOCHU FEED CO., LTD. General Technology Research Department (72) Inventor Kazuya Iwasaki 919 Aoki, Kuroiso City, Tochigi Prefecture ITOCHU FOOD CO., LTD.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A belt conveyor type transfer means for transferring poultry, a detection means for detecting and outputting the weight of the poultry transferred by the transfer means, and a value output by the detection means is amplified and used as a weight signal. The converting means for outputting, the determining means for comparing the weight signal output by the converting means with a predetermined threshold value and outputting the result as a selecting signal, and selecting the poultry based on the selecting signal output by the determining means A poultry weight sorting apparatus comprising a sorting means, wherein the detecting means and the sorting means are integrally arranged in one transfer means. 2. The detecting means is arranged below the carrier side belt at a position separated from the starting end of the transfer means by a predetermined distance, and the sorting means is located at a position closer to the terminal end than the position where the detecting means is arranged. The weight sorting device for poultry according to claim 1, wherein the weight sorting device is arranged. 3. The sorting means comprises two gates provided adjacent to both sides of the belt of the transfer means,
The poultry weight sorter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two gates are interlocked to reciprocate in a fan shape over the belt to sort the poultry in two or three directions. . 4. The determining means includes an angle detecting means for detecting an angle of inclination of the detecting means and outputting the angle as an inclination angle signal, and the weight of the poultry on the basis of the output inclination angle signal. The poultry weight sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal is corrected to eliminate the influence of inclination. 5. The moving speed of the belt of the transfer means is 30.
5. A range of not less than centimeters / second and not more than 130 centimeters / second, characterized in that
The weight sorting device for poultry according to any one of 1.