JPH09173993A - Fruit vegetable rotating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to exactly carry out the quality inspection and sorting work of fruit vegetables by lifting the one-side ends of the fruit vegetables loaded in the loading windows of fruit vegetable transporting zones by rotating bodies and rotating the fruit vegetables, thereby arbitrarily directing and changing the directions and postures of the respective fruit vegetables. SOLUTION: Respective loading rollers 45 are inserted into the retracting windows between respective bar-shaped supporting bodies 13 constituting a conveyor 4 for storing. Respective tangerines A loaded between these bar-shaped supporting bodies 13 are lifted at their one-side ends by the loading rollers 45 and are rotated. The front surface sides of the respective tangerines A loaded between the respective bar- shaped supporting bodies 13 are subjected to image pick with a camera 34 for image pickup in correspondence to the address reading of a reader 39 for addresses in the inspection position set on the conveyor 4 for sorting. At this time, the directions and postures of the respective tangerines A are arbitrarily directed and changed and, therefore, even if the denatured parts, such as discoloration, putrefaction and damage, exists on the peripheral surfaces in part of the tangerines A, these parts are surely discovered. The quality inspection and sorting work of the respective tangerines A are thus exactly carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable rotating device used for selecting fruit and vegetables such as mandarin oranges, apples, pears, persimmons, peaches, cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, and potatoes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a general method for sorting mandarin oranges according to the above-mentioned example by equal rank, for example, a large number of mandarin oranges brought in from a producer are placed one by one on each bucket of a sorting conveyor. Placed, and each mandarin orange placed on each of the buckets is sequentially imaged by the imaging camera, and the equal rank of each mandarin orange is evaluated and determined by the equal class determination device based on the image data captured by the imaging camera, There is a method of sorting each mandarin orange placed in each bucket based on the determination by equal rank.

[0003]

However, as described above, when each orange placed on each bucket is imaged from above by an imaging camera, for example, discoloration, decay, damage, and the like are not observed on the back side of the orange. However, the rear side of the orange cannot be imaged by the imaging camera, and its rank cannot be determined accurately. In addition, there is a problem that the uniform class data stored in the uniform class determination device and the original uniform class of the oranges placed in the bucket do not match, and a highly accurate sorting process cannot be performed.

When the back side of each mandarin orange placed in each bucket is imaged from below by an imaging camera, for example, the imaging camera is provided at a lower position between the conveyors arranged at the front and rear. There is a method to image the lower surface side of each mandarin orange from the gap of each conveyor with an imaging camera, but the lower surface side of each mandarin orange should be imaged accurately because the transportation posture and speed of each mandarin orange are unstable. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to accurately determine equal classes.

In view of the above problems, the present invention temporarily lifts and rotates each fruit and vegetables placed on each mounting window of the fruit and vegetable transport belt by means of each rotating body, so that the direction and posture of each fruit and vegetable can be arbitrarily set. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fruit and vegetable rotating device which can change the direction and can perform quality inspection and selection work of each fruit and vegetable accurately.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The fruit vegetables are sized to be placed on the placing surface of the fruit conveyer belt, and each placing window in which the rotating body is allowed to appear and disappear is formed at a predetermined interval in the feeding direction. In the lower part of the loading side of the fruit transport belt, a large number of rotating bodies are arranged at intervals corresponding to the loading windows, in synchronization with the moving speed of each loading window formed in the fruit transport belt. A rotary body retracting means for retracting and retracting each rotating body is provided on the mounting surface of each mounting window, and each rotating body inserted in each mounting window is mounted between the rotating bodies. It is a fruit and vegetable rotating device provided with a rotating body drive means for rotating a fruit and vegetable in a direction in which the fruit and vegetables are turned to an arbitrary posture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the rotating member retracting means is rotated in synchronization with the moving speed of each mounting window formed in the fruit and vegetable conveying belt. While rotating the body in the feeding direction, moving in the feeding direction with the respective rotating bodies protruding above the mounting windows, and protruding and retracting the rotating bodies below the mounting windows. It is characterized in that it is a fruit and vegetable rotating device constituted by a rotating body circling means that moves in the returning direction as it is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to the first or second aspect, a plurality of the fruit and vegetable conveying belts are provided on one side of a conveying path on an endless belt conveying side. A fruit and vegetable rotation structure in which a support is erected at right angles to the feed direction, and each of the supports is erected at an interval at which fruit and vegetables are placed, and at an interval at which each of the rotors is allowed to appear and disappear. It is a device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first or second aspect, a plurality of respective supports are provided in the feeding direction between the endless strips of the fruit and vegetable conveying belt provided on the left and right. On the other hand, a fruit and vegetable rotating device, which is constructed by being installed at a predetermined interval, and is constructed by being installed at an interval by which the above-mentioned respective supports are placed on the fruit and vegetables, and at which the above-mentioned respective rotating bodies are allowed to appear and disappear. Is characterized in that.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first or second aspect, the fruit and vegetable conveying zone is fed with a large number of openings on a placing surface of an endless belt having a flat shape. A fruit and vegetable product which is formed at a predetermined interval in the direction and has a size such that the fruit and vegetables can be placed in the respective openings and in which the rotating bodies are allowed to appear and disappear. It is a rotating device.

The invention according to claim 6 is the above-mentioned claim 1,
In addition to the configuration described in 2, 3, 4 or 5, the rotary body drive means is rotated with respect to each rotary body at a position where the rotary body projecting means is brought into pressure contact with each rotary body protruding above each mounting window. It is a fruit and vegetable rotating device configured by providing a rotation applying member for applying force.

[0012]

In the fruit and vegetable rotating device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotating body retracting means is driven so that each rotating body is projected onto each mounting window formed in the fruit and vegetable conveying zone and is mounted on each mounting window. Each of the fruits and vegetables thus prepared is temporarily lifted by each rotating body. By driving the rotator driving means to rotate each rotator projecting on each mounting window, and to change the direction of each fruit and vegetables mounted between each rotator, for example, each fruit and vegetables The outer peripheral surface of an object can be visually inspected by an operator or can be imaged by an imaging camera, and the quality inspection of the entire fruit and vegetable can be surely performed.

The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to a second aspect of the invention, together with the operation of the first aspect of the invention, drives the rotating body circling means to synchronize with the respective mounting windows formed in the fruit and vegetable conveying zone. By rotating the rotating body in the feeding direction and lifting each fruit placed on each loading window by each rotating body, the fruit can be changed to an arbitrary posture while moving in the feeding direction. The work can be done continuously.

The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to a third aspect of the invention, together with the operation of the first or the second aspect of the invention, projects the respective rotating bodies onto the respective supporting bodies which are installed on the conveying side of the endless belt, and between the respective supporting bodies. By temporarily lifting each of the fruit and vegetables placed on the table by each of the rotating bodies and changing the direction of the fruit and vegetables into an arbitrary posture, the direction of the fruit and vegetables can be easily changed.

The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, together with the operation according to the first or the second aspect of the invention, projects the respective rotating bodies onto the respective supporting bodies provided between the left and right endless belts, and the respective supporting bodies. By temporarily lifting each fruit and vegetables placed between them by each rotating body and changing the direction to an arbitrary posture, the direction and direction of the fruit and vegetables can be easily changed.

The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, together with the operation according to the first or second aspect of the invention, projects the respective rotating bodies onto the respective openings formed in the endless belt and mounts them on the respective openings. By temporarily lifting each fruit and vegetable with each rotating body and changing the direction to an arbitrary posture, the direction of the fruit and vegetable can be easily changed.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the fruit and vegetable rotating device is provided with the rotating bodies projecting on the respective mounting windows of the fruit and vegetable conveying belt. By rotating under pressure contact with the rotation imparting member, it is possible to change the direction of each fruit and vegetables placed between the rotating bodies to an arbitrary posture while moving in the feeding direction.

[0018]

According to the present invention, since each fruit and vegetables placed on each loading window of the fruit and vegetable transport belt is temporarily lifted and rotated by each rotating body, the direction and posture of each fruit and vegetable can be arbitrarily set. The direction can be changed, and the work of changing the direction of each fruit and vegetables can be easily and easily performed. For example, by visually observing the outer peripheral surface of each fruit or vegetable with the eyes of the operator or by using an imaging camera,
Even if a part of the fruits and vegetables that has changed in quality, such as discoloration, decay, and damage, is found on the peripheral surface, the quality inspection and selection work of each fruits and vegetables can be performed accurately. Moreover, since each fruit and vegetables is rotated at an arbitrary position set on the conveyance path of the fruit and vegetables conveyance zone, each placement of the fruit and vegetables conveyance zone can be performed on the front side conveyance path or the rear side conveyance path at the same position. It is possible to prevent the placement position and placement posture of each fruit and vegetables placed on the window from being displaced, and it is possible to convey the fruit and vegetables in a state in which the directions and postures are aligned in the same direction.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings show the fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the first embodiment, which is used as an example of fruit and vegetable for sorting a large number of mandarin oranges in equal ranks, and in FIG. 1 and FIG. The sorting apparatus 1 transfers a large number of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted on the cargo receiving conveyor 2 to each aligning conveyor 3 ..., and transfers each mandarin A ... Mounted on each aligning conveyor 3. They are arranged in rows and transferred to each sorting conveyor 4. At the inspection position set on each sorting conveyor 4 ..., the front and back surfaces of each mandarin orange A ... are imaged by the equal rank determination device 5 arranged above the same position, and each fruit and vegetables arranged below the same position. Rotating machine 6
... rotates each mandarin orange A ... in the front-back direction. Each sorting conveyor 4 ... Each sorting position a, b, c, set on the
At d, e, and f, each mandarin orange A is discharged to each sorting conveyor 7 ... At each sorting position a to f based on the determination by the equal-spot determination device 5. and,
At the collection position g set on each of the sorting conveyors 4 ..., the non-standard mandarin oranges A are discharged to the collection conveyor 8 arranged at the same position.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the above-mentioned sorting conveyor 4 is provided with two orbiting chains 12 and 12 at the lower part of one side of the conveying path in parallel with the feeding direction. ,
Each of the orbiting chains 12, 12 is stretched between a sprocket 10 pivotally supported at the feed-side start end and a sprocket 11 pivotally supported at the feed-side end, and one of the orbiting chains 12 tensioned at the transport side. At the side edge portion, for example, the base end side of the rod-shaped support body 13 formed hollow or solid with a hard material such as synthetic resin, metal, wood, or ceramics is vertically pivotable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction. A plurality of rod-shaped supports 13 are supported on the entire length of the orbiting chain 12 at predetermined intervals on which the mandarin A is placed, and each placement roller 4 described later.
.. are arranged in a keyboard shape at intervals that allow the appearing / disappearing, and between the respective rod-shaped support bodies 13 ... That is, the feed motor 14 with a reduction gear arranged at the lower part of the starting end side.
Driving force causes the plurality of rod-shaped support bodies 13 supported on the orbiting chain 12 to orbit in the feeding direction via the sprockets 15 and 16 and the drive chain 17.
In addition, each bar-shaped support 13 that constitutes the sorting conveyor 4 ...
By installing a guide wall (not shown) along the free end side in the feeding direction, it is possible to prevent the oranges A ... Mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 ...

The above-mentioned rod-shaped supports 13 ...
The upper mounting surface or the entire outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped support 13 is covered with an elastic member such as synthetic rubber or leather to form the rod-shaped support 13
The upper mounting surface of each is formed such that both end mounting surfaces are slightly higher than the central mounting surface, and each orbiting chain 1
A shaft support member 19 is pivotally supported on the front end side of a mounting member 18 fixed between Nos. 2 and 12 so as to be vertically rotatable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction, and an upper end portion of the coaxial support member 19 is provided with a rod-shaped support 13. The base end side shaft portion is inserted and fixed in the direction orthogonal to the feed direction, and the locking lever 20 is pivotally supported on the upper rear end side of the mounting member 18 so as to be vertically rotatable in the direction orthogonal to the feed direction. Then, due to the elasticity of the coil spring 21 stretched between the mounting member 18 and the locking lever 20, the locking projection 19a formed on the upper end of the shaft support member 19 and the tip of the locking lever 20 are formed. The pulling force is applied to the locking claws 20a in a direction in which they are locked with each other. The outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped support 13 may be formed in a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape having the same diameter from the outer peripheral surface on one end side to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side.

At the lower portion on the front end side of the mounting member 18, an attitude regulating plate 23 is obliquely provided in the discharging direction so as to face the regulating member 22 fixed to the shaft portion on the proximal end side of the rod-shaped support body 13 and is inclined. Locking protrusion 19a of 19 and locking claw 20a of locking lever 20
By locking and, the rod-shaped support 13 is rotationally fixed in a horizontal posture in which the mandarin orange A is placed. On the other hand, the locking protrusion 19a of the shaft support member 19 and the locking claw 20a of the locking lever 20.
By unlocking and the regulating member 22 and the posture regulating plate 23 are brought into contact with each other, the rod-shaped support 13 is rotationally regulated in a discharge posture in which the mandarin A is discharged obliquely downward. Alternatively, the posture regulating plate 23 may be removed, and the rod-shaped support 13 may be rotatably provided in a discharge posture in which the oranges A are vertically discharged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the equal-class determination device 5 described above surrounds the entire inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4 with the light-shielding box 33, and at the same time, the illumination box 3 is provided.
One imaging camera 34 composed of, for example, a CCD camera is disposed facing the mounting surface of the sorting conveyor 4 which is moved into the inside of the imaging conveyor 3, and the imaging range of the imaging camera 34 is arranged. In order to determine the equal rank of mandarin orange A, for example, a plurality of illumination lamps 36 composed of, for example, halogen lamps are arranged facing downward so as to face the mounting surface of the sorting conveyor 4 that is moved to. The image pickup camera 34 is connected to the determination device main body 37 and the monitor 38 for displaying the image of the mandarin A, and the lock release devices 40 arranged at the sorting positions a to f.
Are connected to the determination device main body 37.

At the lower part of the inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4, the address reader 3 for reading the address of each rod-shaped support 13 in correspondence with the image pick-up by the image pick-up camera 34.
9 is provided and both front and back surfaces of each mandarin A ... Mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... Corresponding to the address reading by the address reader 39 are imaged by the imaging camera 34, and the imaging camera 34.
Based on the image data of both the front and back sides imaged in step (3), the equal class of mandarin orange A is determined, and the determination data and the address data are stored in the determination device body 37 in association with each other.

That is, the front surface side of each mandarin orange A placed between the bar-shaped supports 13 of the sorting conveyor 4 is imaged by the imaging camera 34 and placed between the bar-shaped supports 13. Each mandarin orange A ... is rotated in the front-back direction by a fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 described later to turn it over. At the same time, each rod-shaped support 13 ...
The back side of each of the oranges A ...
4 is compared and the image data of both front and back surfaces output from the image capturing camera 34 is compared with the equal class data stored in the determination device main body 37, and each mandarin A ... , Grades of excellent, good, etc. and classes of 2L, L, M, S, etc.) are determined, and based on the determination, each mandarin orange A ... Mounted on each rod-shaped support 13 ... Sort separately. The time lag is counted until each rod-shaped support 13 moves to each sorting position a to f corresponding to the determination,
Each sorting position a corresponding to the determination by the equal class determination device 5
When each rod-shaped support 13 moves to ~ f, the unlocking device 40 at the position corresponding to the determination is actuated to rotate each rod-shaped support 13 on which the mandarin A is placed in the release posture. To do.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, for example, at each of the sorting positions a to f set on the sorting conveyor 4,
An unlocking device 40 composed of an electromagnetic solenoid, an air cylinder, etc. is provided, and at the lower end of the unlocking device 40 facing the rear end of each locking lever 20 ... The release member 41 is vertically fixed. Class determination device 5
Based on the determination by the above, the unlocking device 40 is operated to release the locking levers 20 forming the sorting conveyor 4 from the rear end and the locking levers 20 rear ends. The release member 41 is moved up and down to the standby position where the contact is avoided. Each locking lever 20 constituting the sorting conveyor 4 ...
The rear end portion is continuously pressed down by the release member 41, and the locking projections 19a of the shaft supporting members 19 ... And the locking levers 20.
By releasing the locking of the locking claws 20a of ..., The rod-shaped support bodies 13 on which the oranges A are mounted are rotated to the discharge posture.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 has two orbiting chains 42, 42 parallel to the feed direction below the inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4. And revolving chains 42, 42 are stretched between the sprockets 43, 43 pivotally supported immediately before the inspection position and the sprockets 44, 44 pivotally supported immediately after the inspection position. A hollow or solid drum-shaped placement roller 45, which is made of a hard material such as synthetic resin, metal, wood, or ceramics, is axially mounted between the facing surfaces of the rollers 42 and 42 so as to be freely rotatable in the feed direction. , A large number of mounting rollers 45 with respect to the total length of the revolving chains 42, 42.
Are arranged in the feed direction at a predetermined interval where the mandarin A is placed.

Each of the above-mentioned mounting rollers 45 ...
The entire mounting surface of the mounting roller 45 is covered with an elastic member such as synthetic rubber or leather, and the outer peripheral surface of the mounting roller 45 is formed in a drum shape in which both outer peripheral surfaces of both end portions have a larger diameter than the outer peripheral surface of the central portion. doing. In addition, the mounting rollers 45 are arranged with a size and an interval to be inserted into the protruding / retracting windows 13a between the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the selection conveyor 4, and the rod-shaped supports 13 are arranged. Each mounting roller 45 is located above the mounting surface of.
Each revolution chain 42, 42 is installed at a height position where the upper peripheral surface of the ... Revolves, and each sprocket 4 is driven by the drive force of the revolution motor 46 with a reduction gear arranged at the lower part of the starting end side.
The mounting rollers 45 are circularly moved in the feeding direction in synchronization with the rod-shaped support bodies 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4 via the drive chains 49 and 48. At the same time, each rod-shaped support 1 is moved to the inspection position on the sorting conveyor 4.
The mounting rollers 45 ... Are sequentially inserted into the projecting / retracting windows 13a between 3 ... and the projecting / retracting windows 13 between the rod-shaped supports 13 ...
a. The upper peripheral surface of each mounting roller 45 ... Is projected and moved in the feeding direction, and each mounting roller 45 is immersed below each protruding / retracting window 13a between each rod-shaped support 13. And then go back.

At the lower position of the inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4, the height position is pressed against the lower peripheral surfaces of the mounting rollers 45 inserted between the rod-shaped supports 13. In addition, for example, a rotary belt 50 formed of a member having a large contact resistance such as synthetic rubber is installed in parallel with the feed direction,
The rotating belt 50 is stretched between a drum roll 51 which is provided near the sprocket 43 side and is axially supported, and a drum roll 52 which is provided near the sprocket 44 side and is axially supported, and is arranged at the lower end side. The sprocket 54, 55 and the drive chain 56 are driven by the driving force of the rotating motor 53 with a reducer.
The rotating belt 50 is rotated in the direction corresponding to or in the direction opposite to the winding direction of each of the mounting rollers 45. At the same time, the mounting rollers 45 inserted between the rod-shaped support bodies 13 are moved in the feed direction while being pressed against the rotating belt 50, and the rotating belt 50 is moved slightly more than the moving speed of the mounting rollers 45. It rotates at high speed, and the mandarin orange A placed between the placing rollers 45 is rotated 180 degrees in the front-rear direction by the rotational force of the rotating belt 50. Alternatively, each mounting roller 4
5 is rotated or stopped to rotate in the direction opposite to the orbiting direction of each of the mounting rollers 45.
The mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 45 is rotated 180 degrees in the front-rear direction by being rotated by the contact resistance with 0.

The illustrated embodiment is constructed as described above, and a plurality of mandarin oranges A are hereafter prepared by the fruit and vegetable rotating device 1.
The operation when sorting... According to the same class will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the rod-shaped support bodies 13 constituting the sorting conveyor 4 are rotated horizontally by a return means such as a dead weight or a spring, and are axially supported by the orbiting chain 12. While locking the locking projections 19a of the shaft support member 19 and the locking claws 20a of the locking levers 20 to each other, the rod-shaped support bodies 13 are rotated and returned to the horizontal posture. It makes a circular movement in the feed direction. At the same time, a large number of each mandarin orange A ...
, And each mandarin orange A, which is placed on each of the alignment conveyors 3, ..., Is transferred to each of the sorting conveyors 4, ..., Between the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4 ,. Mikan A
... is reprinted.

Next, at the inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4, each rod-shaped support 1 by the address reader 39 is provided.
Corresponding to the address reading of 3 ..., an image of the front side of each mandarin A ... Placed between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... The data and the address data of each rod-shaped support 13 ... Are stored in the determination device main body 37 that constitutes the equal class determination device 5 in association with each other. At the same time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 is driven to move the fruit-and-vegetable-rotating machine 6 to the inspection positions on the conveyor 4 for selection, and to put the respective loading and unloading windows 13a between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... The loading rollers 45 are sequentially inserted and moved in the feeding direction while projecting the upper peripheral surface of the loading rollers 45 above the protruding / retracting windows 13a between the rod-shaped support bodies 13 ... Each mandarin orange A ... Mounted between the bodies 13 ...
It is sequentially lifted by 5.

Subsequently, the lower peripheral surfaces of the respective mounting rollers 45 on which the respective oranges A are mounted are moved in the feed direction while being in pressure contact with the reversing belt 44, and the rod-shaped support bodies 13 ... And the respective mounting rollers. The rotary belt 50 is rotated in the feeding direction faster than the moving speed of the rolls 45, and the respective mounting rollers 45, which are pressed against the rotary belt 50, are rotated in the direction of the arrow so that the respective mounting rollers 45.
By rotating the mandarin oranges A, which are placed between them, by 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow and turning them upside down, as shown in FIG. Mikan A
And the small mandarin orange A placed on the small-diameter side peripheral surface of each rod-shaped support 13 ... Are turned upside down at the same position.

At the same time, the back surface side of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 ...
Image data of the back side imaged by the imaging camera 34,
The determination device main body 37 stores the address data of the rod-shaped supports 13 in association with each other. By comparing the image data of both front and back surfaces imaged by the imaging camera 34 with the equal rank data stored in the determination device main body 37, the equal rank of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... To judge.

Next, the time lag until each rod-shaped support 13 is moved to each of the sorting positions a to f corresponding to the judgment by the judgment device main body 37 is counted, and for example, judgment data of "M" size is held. When each rod-shaped support 13 ... Moves to the M size sorting position a, the unlocking device 40 at the position corresponding to the determination is actuated, and as shown in FIGS.
The rear end portion of each locking lever 20 ... Constituting the sorting conveyor 4 is continuously pushed down by the release member 41, and each shaft support member 19 ...
, And the locking claws 20a of the locking levers 20 are unlocked, and the rod-shaped support bodies 13 on which the oranges A are mounted are pivoted to the releasing posture. The mandarin oranges A placed between the rod-shaped supports 13 are discharged to the sorting conveyor 7 below the sorting position a. Similarly, based on the judgment by the equal class judging device 5, the sorting positions a to
f Each mandarin orange A ... is discharged to each sorting conveyor 7 ...
Each mandarin orange A ... Released to the box is boxed by an artificial work or a mechanical work. In addition, each non-standard mandarin orange A that does not correspond to the equal rank is a recovery conveyor 8 below the recovery position g.
It is released to and collected.

As described above, the mounting rollers 45 are inserted into the respective projecting / retracting windows 13a between the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4 and placed between the rod-shaped supports 13. Since each mandarin orange A ... is temporarily lifted and rotated by each mounting roller 45, the direction and posture of each mandarin orange A can be arbitrarily changed, and the work of changing the direction of each mandarin orange A is simple and easy. Easy to do. For example, even if the outer peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... is visually inspected by the operator's eyes or an image is picked up by the imaging camera 34, even if an altered part such as discoloration, decay, or damage is present on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A. Can be found,
The quality inspection and selection work of each mandarin orange can be performed accurately.
Moreover, since each mandarin orange A is rotated at the inspection position set on the sorting conveyor 4, the rod-shaped supports 13 are mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 in the front-side conveying path or the rear-side conveying path at the same position. It is possible to prevent the placement positions and the placement postures of the placed oranges A ... from changing, and it is possible to convey the oranges A ... With the orientation and posture aligned in the same direction.

FIG. 8 shows the left and right revolution chains 42, 42.
2 shows the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 of the second embodiment, in which the respective mounting rollers 45 mounted between are pressed to rotate with a rotating pad 57 formed of a member having a large contact resistance such as synthetic rubber.
The mounting rollers 45 are sequentially inserted into the respective projecting / retracting windows 13a between the rod-shaped supports 13 constituting the sorting conveyor 4,
The mandarin oranges A ... Mounted between the rod-shaped supports 13 are sequentially lifted by the mounting rollers 45. At the same time, the placement rollers 45 ... Are moved in the feed direction while being in pressure contact with the rotation pad 57 disposed under the inspection position, and the placement rollers 45 ... Since the mandarin oranges A ... Mounted between the mounting rollers 45 are turned upside down and picked up by the imaging camera 34 by contact resistance, the mandarin oranges A ... are oriented in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The work of conversion and the work of sorting by equal rank can be reliably performed.

FIG. 9 shows the left and right revolution chains 42, 42.
3 shows the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 of the third embodiment in which the mounting rollers 45 mounted between are divided into the receiving rollers 45a on the left side and the receiving rollers 45b on the right side.
The left and right receiving rollers 45a, 45b forming the unit 5 are moved in the feed direction while being in pressure contact with the left and right rotating belts 50, 50 installed at the lower portion of the inspection position.
0 and 50 are rotated in the feeding direction at low speed and at high speed to rotate the receiving rollers 45a ... Pressed against one of the rotating belts 50 at high speed, and the receiving rollers 45b ... Pressed against the other rotating belt 50 at low speed. Rotate each mounting roller 45 ...
By rotating each of the receiving rollers 45a and 45b, the respective oranges A ... Are rotated in the front-rear direction and the horizontal direction, and the entire peripheral surface of the oranges A ... Is imaged by the imaging camera 34, so that discoloration, decay, Even if a damaged part such as damage is present on a part of the peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A, it can be surely found, and like the first embodiment, the work of changing the direction of each mandarin orange A ... Can be done reliably.

FIG. 10 shows the left and right revolution chains 42, 4
2 shows the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 of the fourth embodiment in which the hollow or solid cylindrical mounting rollers 58 ...
For example, the entire mounting surface of each mounting roller 58 is covered with an elastic member such as synthetic rubber or leather, and the outer peripheral surface of each mounting roller 58 is the same from the outer peripheral surface on one end side to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side. It is formed in a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape having a diameter. That is, the placement rollers 58 are sequentially inserted into the protruding / retracting windows 13a between the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4, and the oranges A placed between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... Are sequentially lifted by the respective mounting rollers 58. At the same time, the first
The rotary belt 50 of the embodiment or the rotary pad 5 of the second embodiment.
7, each mounting roller 58 is rotated, and each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 58 is turned upside down. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, each mandarin orange A is turned. The work to do and the work to sort by equal rank can be surely performed. Moreover, for example, fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant, and carrot can be placed in a horizontal posture, and since the placement position and the posture of the fruits and vegetables are stable, the front and back can be reliably inverted.

FIG. 11 shows the left and right circulating chains 12, 1
2 shows the sorting conveyor 4 of the fifth embodiment in which a large number of rod-shaped supports 13 ...
Alternatively, each placing roller 4 is rotated by the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6 of the second embodiment.
5 ... Each mandarin orange ... Placed between the two is flipped over and imaged by the imaging camera 34, and the equal rank of each mandarin A ... is equalized based on the image data of both front and back surfaces imaged by the imaging camera 34. The determination device 5 determines. Based on the determination by the equal rank determination device 5, the left and right electromagnetic solenoids 40 arranged at the sorting positions a to f are operated synchronously, and the left and right rod-shaped support bodies 13 are simultaneously rotated downward to move the left and right sides. Each mandarin orange A placed between the rod-shaped supports 13 of
..- f is discharged to each sorting conveyor 7 at the lower part by equal rank, so that the work of changing the direction of each mandarin A ... and the sorting work by equal rank can be surely performed as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows the left and right circulating chains 12, 1
2 shows the sorting conveyor 4 of the sixth embodiment in which a large number of rod-shaped supports 13 are installed at a predetermined interval, and each of the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4 appears and disappears. The mounting rollers 45 are inserted into the windows 13a, and the oranges A mounted between the rod-shaped support bodies 13 are sequentially lifted by the mounting rollers 45. At the same time, each of the mounting rollers 45 is rotated by the rotary belt 50 of the first embodiment or the rotary pad 57 of the second embodiment to invert each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 45. At the same time, the front and back surfaces of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted between the respective mounting rollers 45 are imaged by the imaging camera 34. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the work of changing the direction of each mandarin orange A ... The work of sorting by equal rank can be performed reliably.

FIG. 13 shows the sorting conveyor 4 of the seventh embodiment in which a large number of mandarin oranges A ... Are placed on a conveyor belt 59 composed of, for example, a belt conveyor and a thrust conveyor, and conveyed. A large number of openings 59a are formed at predetermined intervals in the feeding direction on the placement surface of the conveyor belt 59 that constitutes the sorting conveyor 4, and each opening 59a is formed by a mandarin orange A of a predetermined size. It has a size that prevents it from falling. That is, the placement rollers 45 are sequentially inserted into the openings 59a formed in the conveyor belt 59, and the oranges A placed on the upper surface of the openings 59a.
.. are sequentially lifted by the respective mounting rollers 45. at the same time,
The mounting rollers 45 are rotated by the rotating belt 50 of the first embodiment or the rotating pad 57 of the second embodiment, and the mandarin oranges A mounted between the mounting rollers 45 are turned upside down. , Both front and back sides of each mandarin orange A are imaged by the imaging camera 34, so that each mandarin orange A ...
It is possible to reliably perform the work of changing the direction and the work of sorting by equal rank.

When each mandarin orange A ... Carried by the sorting conveyor 4 of the sixth and seventh embodiments is discharged in equal ranks, for example, pressurized air, based on the judgment by the equal rank judging device 5, It is also possible to horizontally move the mandarin oranges A by means of a sorter such as a pusher and discharge the mandarin oranges A to the sorting conveyors 8 arranged at the lower positions of the sorting positions a to f in equal ranks.

FIG. 14 shows each of the mandarin oranges A ... Which are conveyed to the inspection position on the sorting conveyor 4 as two imaging cameras 34,
35 shows the equi-class determination device 5 of the eighth embodiment for imaging at 35,
The loading rollers 45 are sequentially inserted between the rod-shaped supports 13 forming the sorting conveyor 4 so that the rod-shaped supports 13 ...
The mandarin oranges A, which are placed in between, are sequentially lifted by the mounting rollers 45. At the same time, the rotary belt 50 of the first embodiment.
Alternatively, each of the mounting rollers 4 may be formed by the rotating pad 57 of the second embodiment.
5 is rotated to turn each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 45 ...
Both the front and back surfaces of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted in between are imaged by the imaging cameras 34 and 35, respectively, so that the equal rank of each mandarin orange A ... can be accurately determined as in the first embodiment. Moreover, the front and back surfaces of each mandarin orange A ...
Since the images are separately captured in step 5, the image data can be easily processed.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the fruit and vegetable rotating device of the present invention corresponds to the fruit and vegetable sorting device 1 of the embodiment, and hereinafter, similarly, the fruit and vegetable are mandarin oranges. Correspondingly, the fruit and vegetable conveying belt corresponds to the sorting conveyor 4, and the placing window is the retractable windows 13a formed between the rod-shaped supports 13 ... And the openings 59 formed in the conveyor belt 59.
a, the endless belt corresponds to the orbiting chain 12, the support corresponds to the rod-shaped support 13, the rotating body corresponds to the placing rollers 45 and 58, and the flat endless belt. Corresponds to the conveyor belt 59, and the rotating body retracting means and the rotating body circling means are the revolving chain 42 constituting the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6.
Corresponding to the respective sprockets 43, 44, 47, 48, the revolving motor 46, and the drive chain 49, and the rotating body driving means and the rotation imparting member are the rotating belt 50 constituting the fruit and vegetable rotating machine 6, Rotating pad 57 and drum roll 5
1, 52, a rotation motor 53, a sprocket 54,
55 and the drive chain 56, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which each mandarin orange A ... Carried by one sorting conveyor 4 is imaged by one image pickup camera 34 is explained. A plurality of (two, three, four, etc.) sorting conveyors 4 are conveyed by each mandarin orange A ... Is imaged by a single imaging camera 34, or a plurality of sorting conveyors 4 is used.
The front and back surfaces of each mandarin orange A transported by the ... may be imaged by the imaging cameras 34 and 35, respectively.
Each mandarin orange A based on the image data captured in 4, 35 ...
The uniform class can be accurately determined by the uniform class determination device 5.

Further, each mandarin orange A ... Carried by the sorting conveyor 4 may be imaged obliquely from above by the two imaging cameras 34, 34 arranged on the left and right or front and back,
The imaging range is wider than when imaging from above or below,
Since the entire peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... Can be imaged, it is possible to accurately determine the equal class.

Further, the above-mentioned fruit-and-vegetable rotating machine 6 is moved up and down by an elevating means such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder to form each of the bar-shaped supports 1 constituting the sorting conveyor 4.
It is also possible to insert the mounting rollers 45, 58 into the respective projecting / retracting windows 13a between 3 ... or the respective opening portions 59a of the conveying belt 59, and between the respective rod-shaped support bodies 13 ... Or on the upper surface side of the respective opening portions 59a. Each of the mounted oranges A ... Can be lifted once by the mounting rollers 45 and 58 and rotated in an arbitrary posture.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a fruit and vegetable sorting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a carrying state by a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a mounted state of a rod-shaped support body that constitutes a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a swinging motion of a rod-shaped support member that constitutes the sorting conveyor.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a rotating operation by the fruit and vegetable rotating machine.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a rotating operation of the fruit and vegetable rotating machine.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the discharging operation by the sorting conveyor.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the rotating operation of the fruit and vegetable rotating machine of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the rotating operation of the fruit and vegetable rotating machine of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the rotating operation of the fruit and vegetable rotating machine of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a carrying state by a sorting conveyor according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state of conveyance by a sorting conveyor according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a carrying state by a sorting conveyor according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing an image pickup state by the equal class determination device of the eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Mikan 1 ... Fruit and vegetable sorting device 2 ... Conveyor for receiving 3 ... Aligning conveyor 4 ... Sorting conveyor 5 ... Class determination device 6 ... Fruit and vegetable rotating machine 7 ... Sorting conveyor 12 ... Orbiting chain 13 ... Rod-shaped support Body 13a ... Escape window 18 ... Mounting member 19 ... Shaft support member 20 ... Locking lever 22 ... Restricting member 23 ... Posture restricting plates 34, 35 ... Imaging camera 37 ... Judgment device main body 40 ... Unlocker 41 ... Release member 42 ... Revolving chain 45, 58 ... Mounting roller 50 ... Rotating belt 57 ... Rotating pad 59 ... Conveying belt 59a ... Opening

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mounting window having a size in which a fruit and vegetable is placed on a placing surface of a fruit and vegetable conveying zone, and in which a rotating body is allowed to appear and disappear at predetermined intervals in the feeding direction. Formed, in the lower portion of the loading side of the fruit and vegetable transport zone, arranged a number of each rotating body at intervals corresponding to each of the loading windows, of each loading window formed in the fruit and vegetable transport zone. In synchronization with the moving speed, a rotating body retracting means for retracting / retracting each rotating body is provided on the mounting surface of each mounting window, and each rotating body protruding above each mounting window is provided between the rotating bodies. A fruit and vegetable rotating device provided with a rotating body driving means for rotating the fruit and vegetable placed on the table in a direction in which the fruit and vegetables are turned to an arbitrary posture. 2. The rotating body retracting means moves each rotating body in the feed direction in synchronism with the moving speed of each mounting window formed in the fruit and vegetable transport zone, and further than the respective mounting windows. The rotating body circling means configured to move in the feed direction with the respective rotating bodies protruding upward and to move in the returning direction with the rotating bodies protruding and retracting below the respective mounting windows. The described fruit and vegetable rotating device. 3. A plurality of respective supports are erected on the conveyance side of an endless belt erected on one side of a conveyance path in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction, and each of the supports is a fruit or vegetable. The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating bodies are erected so as to be spaced apart from each other at an interval at which each of the rotating bodies is allowed to appear and disappear. 4. A plurality of the supports are erected at a predetermined interval in the feeding direction between the endless belts provided on the left and right sides of the fruit and vegetable conveying belt, and the respective fruits and vegetables are supported by the fruit and vegetable conveying belt. The fruit and vegetable rotating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating bodies are installed so as to be spaced apart from each other such that the rotating bodies are allowed to appear and disappear. 5. The fruit-carrying belt is formed by placing a plurality of openings at predetermined intervals in the feeding direction on a flat endless belt mounting surface, and the fruit-carrying zones are provided. The fruit and vegetable rotating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating body is formed to have a size on which an object can be placed, and each of the rotating bodies is allowed to be retracted. 6. A rotation imparting member for imparting a rotational force to each of the rotating bodies is provided at a position where the rotating body driving means is brought into pressure contact with each of the rotating bodies protruding above the mounting windows. The fruit and vegetable rotating device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.