JPH09225413A - Defect detector and defective goods removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect defective particles of rice and foreign matter based on both the pieces of light receiving information of transmitted light and reflected light on grains of rice and to separate and remove defective rice and foreign matter from normal particles of rice. SOLUTION: An object to be inspected (a group of grains of rice 'k') transferred along a specified route is illuminated by a lighting means 4, and transmitted light which the illuminated light is passed through the group of grains of rice 'k' to form received by a transmitted light receiving means 5A, and reflected light which the illuminated light is reflected by the group of grains of rice 'k' to form is received by a reflected light receiving means 5b. Based on both the pieces of the light receiving information, the quality of rice particles or the existence of foreign matter is judged. And furthermore, according to the judgment results, the defective goods are separated and removed in a different route from that for normal rice particles.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a defect detection device for detecting the quality of rice grains or foreign substances mixed in the rice grain groups by using the rice grain groups as an inspection object, and the defects detected by the defect detection device. Device for removing defective rice grains or foreign substances.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the above defect detecting device, for example, while illuminating a rice grain group transferred along a predetermined route from the lateral direction of the route, the illumination light is transmitted through the rice grain group or reflected by the rice grain group. When one of the light is received by a light receiving means such as a photo sensor, and the light receiving level is within a preset setting proper range, it is judged as a normal rice grain, while when it is out of the setting proper range, a rice grain is detected. It is judged that there is a defect such as coloring of the product or that foreign matter such as stone or plastic is mixed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the defect of the rice grain or the mixture of foreign matter is discriminated by using only the light reception information of either the transmitted light or the reflected light from the inspection object. Therefore, for example, a defect or the like that can detect only one of the transmitted light and the reflected light may not be detected when only the light reception information of the other is used. In other words, for colored glass with a light transmittance similar to rice grains, it may be detected with reflected light but not with transmitted light, and conversely, white stone or plastic with a light reflectance similar to rice grains may be detected. In some cases, transmitted light can be detected, but reflected light cannot.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to eliminate defects in rice grains based on light reception information of both transmitted light and reflected light in order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art. It is possible to accurately detect the mixing of foreign matters and, based on the detection result, reliably separate and remove defective rice and foreign matters from normal rice grains.

[0005]

According to the structure of claim 1, the illumination light for illuminating the rice grain group as the inspection object is transmitted through the rice grain group and is received by the transmitted light receiving means, and the rice grain group is also received. The reflected light is received by the reflected light receiving means, and the quality of the rice grain or the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the rice grain group is determined based on the light reception information of both the light receiving means.

Therefore, the quality or foreign matter of the rice grain is detected based on both the received light information of the transmitted light transmitted through the rice grain group and the reflected light reflected by the rice grain group. Therefore, either the transmitted light or the reflected light is detected as in the conventional case. As in the case of detecting the quality of rice grains or foreign matter based on the received light information of No. 3, it cannot be detected when only the received light information of the other is used for defects that can be detected only in one of the transmitted light and the reflected light. It is possible to obtain a defect detection device capable of accurately detecting a defect in rice grains and the inclusion of foreign matter without any trouble.

According to the structure of claim 2, in claim 1, the illumination light from the single illumination means is transmitted through the rice grain group and then enters the transmitted light receiving means, and is reflected by the rice grain group and then reflected. It is incident on the light receiving means.

Therefore, as compared with the case where the illuminating means for the transmitted light and the illuminating means for the reflected light are separately provided, the structure of the device can be simplified, and therefore, the defect detecting device according to claim 1 is preferable. Can be obtained.

According to the configuration of claim 3, claim 1 or 2
In the above, when the amount of received light of the transmitted light receiving means is out of the proper setting range and when the amount of received light of the reflected light receiving means is out of the proper setting range, the defect of rice grains or the presence of foreign matter is determined.

Therefore, with respect to colored rice, defective rice such as barrel cracks, and foreign substances that do not transmit light, such as stone and plastic, the light amount is lower than the normal light amount of transmitted rice grains (that is, the proper setting range of transmitted light). When a strong reflected light is received due to light reflection from a part of it such as a piece of glass, the amount of reflected light deviates above the proper setting range of reflected light. Therefore, various defects can be accurately detected so that
The suitable means of the defect detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 can be obtained.

According to the structure of claim 4, the defect detecting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 is provided, and the rice grain group transferred along the planned transfer path is received by the transmitted light receiving means with respect to the planned transfer path. When the rice grains are transferred to the target location, the illumination light from one side of the planned transportation route passes through the rice grain group and is received by the other side of the planned transportation route, and the rice grain group is reflected light receiving means. When it is transferred to the light receiving target part for the planned transfer route, the illumination light from one side of the planned transfer route is reflected by the rice grain group and is received by the same side of the planned transfer route. The defective rice grain and the foreign matter, which are discriminated based on the light reception information at the light receiving target portion, are separated and transferred to a path different from the normal rice particle path in the rice particle group.

Therefore, for example, in order to detect the defect and remove the defect without transferring the inspection object (rice grain group), it is necessary to make the apparatus movable so that the inspection object can be moved. While the (rice grain group) is sequentially transferred from the light receiving target position of each light receiving unit, that is, the defect detection position to the separation position on a different path, that is, the defective product removal position, the defective rice grain and the foreign matter are separated from the normal rice grain and transferred. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a defective product removing device in which each part of the device can be rationally arranged and smooth operation can be realized while keeping the device side from moving.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the rice grain groups transferred along the planned transfer path are set at substantially the same position in the planned transfer path direction. When the defective rice grain or the presence of foreign matter is determined on the basis of the light reception information of both light receiving means in the planned transfer route of the means, the defective rice grain in the planned transfer route from the light receiving target point or The defective rice grain or the foreign substance is separated into a route different from the normal rice grain route as the transfer time to the separation point for the foreign substance to the different route elapses.

Therefore, for example, when the light receiving target portions of the respective light receiving means with respect to the planned transfer route are set at different positions in the planned transfer route direction, defective products are detected based on the light receiving information at the respective light receiving target positions of the respective light receiving means. When it is detected, since the transfer time from each light receiving target location to the defective material separating location is different, it is necessary to control the timing separately. Since only a single timing control up to a point is required, the control configuration can be simplified, and the preferred means of the defective substance removing apparatus according to claim 4 can be obtained.

According to the structure of claim 6, claim 4 or 5
In (1), the inspection object (rice grain group) that is being transferred in a single layer along the planned transfer path in a state of being aligned in a plurality of rows is illuminated in the entire width in the arrangement direction, and the entire width in the arrangement direction is also set. Light is received by both light receiving means as a detection target range, and based on the received light information, the quality of rice grains or the presence or absence of mixed foreign matter in the entire width in the arrangement direction of a plurality of rows of inspection targets (rice grain groups) is determined.

Therefore, as compared with the case where the inspection object (rice grain group) is transferred in a state of arranging in a plurality of rows instead of being arranged in a row, defects can be detected efficiently in parallel in the entire width in the arranging direction. Therefore, claim 4 or 5
The suitable means of the defective product removing apparatus according to the present invention can be obtained.

According to the configuration of claim 7, in claim 4, 5 or 6, air is blown to the defective rice grains or foreign matter in the rice grain group which is dropped and transferred by its own weight, and the defect is caused. Rice grains or foreign substances are separated from the normal rice grain transfer route.

Therefore, since the defective rice grains or foreign substances are separated from the normal rice grain transfer path by the air blowing action, for example, they are directly contacted by a mechanical means such as a plate that moves in and out. Compared with the case of separation, the separation can be performed favorably with a high response speed and without damaging the soft touch, and therefore, the suitable means of the defective product removing device according to claim 4, 5 or 6 can be obtained.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a defect detecting device and a defect removing device according to the present invention will be described while detecting a defect while transferring a rice grain group such as brown rice or polished rice along a predetermined route as an inspection object. The case of removing objects will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plate-shaped shooter 1 having a predetermined width is attached to a horizontal plane at a predetermined angle (for example, 45).
The rice grain group k supplied by the hopper 7 or the like from the upper side of the shooter 1 is slid and transferred in a laterally spread state in a single state. Below the shooter 1, a good rice collection box 2 for collecting normal rice grains k of a group of rice grains k naturally falling from the lower end of the shooter at a predetermined speed, and a colored rice (burnt rice) separated from the flow of normal rice grains k ) And a defective product recovery box 3 for recovering defective rice such as broken rice or foreign matter such as stone or glass fragments. From the above, the shooter 1 is arranged in a single layer and in a plurality of rows in which the rice grain group k is arranged along the planned transfer route (that is, the flow route of the rice grain group k on the shooter and the dropping route of the rice grain group k jumping out from the lower end of the shooter). A transfer means H for transferring is configured.

A fluorescent lamp or the like is provided so as to illuminate the entire width of the rice grain groups k of a plurality of rows in one row on one side of the planned transportation route, that is, the dropping route of the rice grain groups k from the lower end of the shooter. The line-shaped light source 4 and the line sensor 5B that receives the reflected light of the illumination light from the line-shaped light source 4 reflected by the rice grain group k are provided, and the illumination light from the line-shaped light source 4 is provided on the other side. A line sensor 5A that receives the transmitted light that has passed through the group k is provided. A line sensor 5 for reflected light upon receiving illumination light from the linear light source 4
A reflecting plate 8 for reflecting toward B is provided, and the reflecting plate 8 has a length corresponding to the entire width of the rice grain group k illuminated by the linear light source 4 in the region 8a having the same reflectance as rice grains. The black regions 8b are formed on both sides thereof.

As described above, the illuminating means for illuminating the rice grain group k is constituted by the single illuminating means, that is, the line-shaped light source 4, and the illumination light from the line-shaped light source 4 passes through the rice grain group k and then the transmitted light. The irradiation direction of the illuminating light is such that the illuminating light from the linear light source 4 is incident on the line sensor 5A as the light receiving means and is reflected by the rice grain group k and then enters the line sensor 5B as the reflected light receiving means. It is set.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light receiving target portion J of both the line sensors 5A and 5B with respect to the planned transfer route is set at substantially the same position in the route direction of the planned transfer route, and both line sensors are arranged. 5A and 5B are configured such that the entire width of the rice grain group k in the plurality of rows is the detection target range along the arrangement direction. Then, the transfer means H is configured to transfer the rice grain group k to the light receiving target portion J of the line sensors 5A and 5B with respect to the planned transfer path.

As shown in FIG.
A and 5B are provided with a plurality of light receiving portions 5a capable of taking out light receiving information for each light receiving target range with a range p smaller than the size of the rice grain k (for example, about 1/10 of the size of the rice grain k). , The entire rice grain group k is provided. Specifically, a monochrome type CCD sensor in which light-receiving elements as a plurality of light-receiving units 5a are juxtaposed linearly over the entire width along the arrangement direction of the rice grain groups k in the plurality of rows, and the rice grain groups k And an optical system for forming an image on the respective light receiving elements of the CCD sensor. As a result, transmission and reflection image information over the entire width of the rice grain group k in the flow direction can be obtained.

From the light receiving target portion J in the planned transfer route of both the line sensors 5A and 5B to the lower side in the route,
An air blowing device 6 is provided for blowing air to the rice grains k and foreign substances that have been determined to be defective to separate them from the normal flow direction of the rice grains k and to collect them in the defective product collection box 3. This air spraying device 6 uses rice grains k
It is provided with a plurality of air guns 6a that are individually sprayed to each rice grain group k divided into a predetermined width in the lateral direction with respect to the flow direction of.

To explain the control configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, a control device 10 using a microcomputer is provided, and the control device 10 includes the two line sensors 5A and 5A.
Each image signal from B is input, and from the control device 10,
In order to individually operate each air gun 6a of the air blowing device 6, a drive signal is output to a plurality of solenoid valves 11 for turning on / off the air circulation of each air supply path from the compressor (not shown) to each air gun 6a. ing.

Utilizing the control device 10, a discriminating means 100 for discriminating the quality of the rice grain or the presence or absence of the foreign matter is constructed based on the light receiving information of the line sensors 5A and 5B. When the amount of light received by the line sensor 5A for transmitted light is out of the proper setting range, and when the amount of light received by the line sensor 5B for reflected light is out of the proper setting range, the defective rice grain or the presence of the foreign matter is detected. Is configured to determine. Specifically, the line sensor 5A for transmitted light in FIG. 5 and the line sensor 5 for reflected light in FIG.
As shown in each output waveform of B, each line sensor 5A, 5
Based on the light receiving information of each of the plurality of light receiving portions 5a, when the output voltage corresponding to the light receiving amount of each light receiving portion 5a deviates from the set proper range ΔEt, ΔEh, the defect of the rice grain or the presence of the foreign matter To judge. Here, in the case of transmitted light,
Since the output voltage level e0 when the standard transmitted light from the normal rice grain is received is larger at the position where the rice grain k does not exist, the setting proper range ΔEt for the transmitted light is a predetermined amount below the voltage level e0. Is set as a range equal to or higher than the set level ek on the side, and the proper setting range ΔEh for reflected light is
The output voltage level e0 ′ for the standard reflected light from normal rice grains is set in the range of a predetermined upper and lower width.

In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the above setting is made at the position where the rice grain k has a partly colored portion (shown by e1 and e1 ') and the position where there is a cracked portion (shown as e2 and e2'). An example is shown in which the proper range ΔEt, ΔEh is deviated to the lower side, and when a foreign substance such as a glass piece is present, a strong direct reflected light from the foreign substance causes the setting proper range ΔEh as shown at the position e3 ′. It illustrates the state of being deviated to the upper side from. Further, although not shown, in a black stone or the like, both reflectance and transmittance are extremely small, and therefore both waveforms deviate greatly from the appropriate setting ranges ΔEt and ΔEh to the lower side.

Then, the transfer means H also utilizes the control device 10 and the air blowing device 6, and based on the discrimination information of the discrimination means 100, normal rice grains in the rice grain group k and defective ones. The rice grains and the foreign matter are separated and transferred to different routes. Specifically, when the determination unit 100 determines that the rice grain is defective or the foreign matter is present, the both line sensors 5
Separation points from the light receiving target portion J of A and 5B to the planned transfer path to a different path for the defective rice grain or the foreign matter in the planned transfer path (the air gun 6).
The defective rice grain or the foreign matter is separated into a route different from the normal rice grain route as the transfer time to the location (a) is increased. That is, the rice grain group k is dropped and transferred by its own weight, and the defective rice grain or foreign matter is blown with air from each air gun 6a corresponding to the position to separate it from the normal rice grain path.

[Another Embodiment] A light receiving target portion J with respect to the planned transfer paths of both light receiving means (line sensors 5A, 5B).
Is not limited to being set at substantially the same position in the route direction of the planned transfer route as in the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving target portion J1 is set for the planned transfer route of the reflected light receiving means (line sensor 5B), and the transmitted light receiving means (line sensor 5A) is provided on the lower side in the route direction than this position. You may make it set the light-receiving target part J2 with respect to a planned transfer route. Therefore, in this case, if the defect is first determined based on the received light information of the reflected light, and the defective product is transferred and the defect is determined based on the received light information of the transmitted light, the defective product is blown into the air. When transferred to a location, the timing is controlled so that they are transferred separately.

In the above embodiment, when the discriminating means 100 has both the received light amount of the transmitted light receiving means (line sensor 5A) and the received light amount of the reflected light receiving means (line sensor 5B) outside the proper setting range, Although it is configured to determine whether the rice grain is defective or the presence of the foreign substance is present, the defective rice grain or the presence of the foreign substance is determined when the amount of light received by one of the light receiving units is out of the appropriate setting range. You can also do it.

In the above embodiment, the illuminating means 4 is constituted by a linear fluorescent lamp so as to illuminate the whole width of the inspection object (rice grain group k) in a plurality of rows. )
The specific configuration of the illuminating means can be appropriately changed according to the existence range and other conditions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the illuminating means 4 is constituted by a single illuminating means, but in addition to this, separate illuminating means for transmitted light and reflected light may be provided. Good.
That is, in this case, the illumination light from the illumination means for transmission passes through the inspection object (rice grain group k) and then enters the transmitted light receiving means 5A, and the illumination light from the illumination means for reflection is inspected. The direction of the illumination light from each illumination means is set so that it is reflected by the object (rice grain group k) and then enters the reflected light receiving means 5B.

In the above embodiment, each light receiving means 5A, 5B
Although it is configured by using a monochrome type CCD sensor, it may be configured by using an image pickup tube type television camera. Also, it is not a monochrome type but a color type CC
A D sensor may be used to more accurately determine the presence or absence of defective rice or foreign matter based on the amount of light received for each of the color information R, G, and B.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the object to be inspected (rice grain group k) is transferred by the transfer means H in a plurality of rows along the planned transfer path (that is, in a state of being spread in the lateral direction). Besides this, for example, they may be transferred in a single line (that is, linearly) along the planned transfer route.

In the above embodiment, the inspection object (rice grain group k)
In order to configure the transfer means H for transferring a plurality of sheets in a state of being lined up in a single line along the planned transfer path, an inclined shooter 1 is provided and an inspection object (rice grain group k) is slid on the surface thereof. However, in addition to this, for example, a transporting device or the like may be provided to load and transport the inspection target (rice grain group k) in a single layer. Further, the transfer means H is configured so that air is blown toward the defective rice grains or the like in the rice grain group k that is falling by its own weight to separate and transfer the defective rice grains or foreign substances from the path of the normal rice grains. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, defective rice grains may be sucked by air.

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the attached drawings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a defect detection / removal device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control configuration.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a light reception detection range.

FIG. 5 is an output waveform diagram of transmitted light receiving means.

FIG. 6 is an output waveform diagram of reflected light receiving means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a defect detection / removal device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Illuminating means 5A Transmitted light receiving means 5B Reflected light receiving means 100 Discriminating means H Transfer means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Yuichi Yamazaki, 64, Ishizukita-machi, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture Kubota Sakai Factory Co., Ltd. (72) Tomoko Nakao, 64, Ishizukita-machi, Sakai City, Osaka Kubota Sakai Co., Ltd. Inside the factory (72) Inventor Shinichi Kitano 64 Ishizukita-cho, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture Kubota Sakai Factory

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A defect detection device for detecting the quality of rice grains or foreign substances mixed in the rice grain group by using the rice grain group as an inspection target, and illumination means (4) for illuminating the inspection target and its illumination. Transmitted light receiving means (5A) for receiving the transmitted light in which the illumination light from the means (4) has passed through the inspection object, and the illumination means (4).
Reflected light receiving means (5B) for receiving the reflected light of the illumination light from the object to be inspected, and the both light receiving means (5A),
A defect detecting device provided with a discrimination means (100) for discriminating the quality of the rice grain or the presence or absence of the foreign matter based on the received light information of (5B). 2. The illuminating means (4) is composed of a single illuminating means (4), and the illuminating light from the single illuminating means (4) passes through an object to be inspected and then the transmitted light. Irradiation direction of the illuminating light so that the illuminating light from the single illuminating means (4) is incident on the light receiving means (5A) and then is reflected by the inspection object and then enters the reflected light receiving means (5B). The defect detection device according to claim 1, wherein is set. 3. The discriminating means (100), when the received light amount of the transmitted light receiving means (5A) is out of a proper setting range, and when the reflected light receiving means (5B) has a received light amount of the proper setting range. 3. The defect detecting device according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to determine the defect of the rice grain or the presence of the foreign matter when it is out of the range. 4. A defective article removing apparatus comprising the defect detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer means (H) for transferring the inspection object along a planned transfer path, The illuminating means (4) and the reflected light receiving means (5B) are arranged on one side and the transmitted light receiving means (5A) is arranged on the other side across the planned transfer path, and the transfer means ( H) is the both light receiving means (5A), (5
The inspection target is transferred to the light receiving target position in the planned transfer route of B), and the determination means (100) is also provided.
A defective product removing device configured to separate and transfer normal rice grains, defective rice grains, and the foreign matter of the inspection object to different routes based on the discrimination information. 5. The light receiving target portions of the both light receiving means (5A) and (5B) with respect to the planned transfer path are set at substantially the same position in the path direction of the planned transfer path, and the transfer means (H) is When the defective rice grain or the presence of the foreign matter is discriminated by the discriminating means (100), from the light receiving target portion of the both light receiving means (5A), (5B) to the planned transfer path. The defective rice grain or the foreign substance is configured to be separated into a route different from the route of the normal rice grain as the transfer time to the separation point to the different route for the defective rice grain or the foreign substance elapses. The defective product removing device according to claim 4. 6. The transfer means (H) is configured to transfer the inspection objects in a single-layer state and in a state where they are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the illumination means (4) is arranged so that the inspection objects of the plurality of rows are inspected. The light receiving means (5A) and (5B) are configured to illuminate the entire width in the arrangement direction, and the entire width of the light receiving means (5A) and (5B) is configured to be the detection target range along the arrangement direction of the plurality of rows of inspection objects. The defective product removing device according to claim 4 or 5. 7. The transfer means (H) drops and transfers the inspection object by its own weight, and blows air onto the defective rice grain or the foreign matter to cause a path different from a normal rice grain path. The defective article removing device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the defective article removing device is configured to be separated.