JPH10194441A - Sorting monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly and surely detect a sorting part where the abnormality in operation is occured, by judging whether the operating condition of each sorting part is normal or abnormal on the basis of the detection by operation monitoring means which monitors the operating condition of each sorting part. SOLUTION: The sorting parts b-g mounted on a conveyer for sorting 4, are independently monitored, for judging the sorting part b-g where the abnormality in operation is occured by a monitoring device. The sorting part b-g where the abnormality in operation, is occured, can be correctly and surely detected, even when the abnormality in operation such as malfunction, breakage, failure, baking or the like, is occured. When the abnormality in operation is detected, the sorting part b-g is repaired, or a component is exchanged to perform the normal and proper sorting operation, so that the fruit vegetables A can be prevented from sorted in the wrong sorting part b-g which is different from that by the determination of an equal class inspection device 5. Further by monitoring the variation of the voltage, current or the like applied to a control circuit of each sorting part b-g, the sorting operation of high accuracy, can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, fruits and vegetables such as tangerines, apples, pears, persimmons, peaches, cucumbers, and eggplants; The present invention relates to a detection device provided in a sorting device for sorting a conveyed material such as a packaged product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for sorting conveyed articles as described above, for example, each conveyed article placed on each mounting portion of a sorting conveyor is imaged by an imaging camera, and the image is taken. Based on the image data, the class of each conveyed object is individually determined by a determination device. When each conveyed object is conveyed to each sorting unit corresponding to the judgment, each sorter (for example, a solenoid, a motor, an air cylinder, etc.) arranged in each sorting unit is independently driven based on the judgment by the judging device. Then, the placement section on which the articles are placed is subjected to a sorting operation (for example, rotation, tilting, opening and closing) by a sorter, and each article placed on each placement section is sent to each sorting section. There is a sorting device that sorts by grade.

[0003]

However, during the above-described sorting, if foreign matter such as dust or dirt adheres to the movable portion of the sorter or if the movable portion is worn out more than necessary, smooth movement is possible. As a result, the resistance generated in the movable portion increases, so that an overcurrent flows in a circuit for controlling the operation of the sorter, and the sorter may malfunction. If the resistance generated in the movable part is large, the circuit may be disconnected or seizure may occur due to the overcurrent, and the operation and function of the sorter may be impaired. In addition, since the operation speed of the sorter becomes slow and the timing slightly shifts, the conveyed material passes through the sorting unit corresponding to the determination without being sorted, and a sorting error occurs. Also, if the movable part of the sorter is damaged or the cord connected to the sorter is broken, even if the goods are conveyed to the sorting part corresponding to the judgment, the sorter will not operate and the sorter will sort the goods. There is a problem that work cannot be performed.

That is, even if a failure occurs in the sorter disposed in the sorting section, the failed sorter cannot be found by the eyes of the operator, and the conveyed articles are sorted by the sorting section corresponding to the judgment. In some cases, conveyed articles may be incorrectly sorted to different sorting sections. By inspecting each transported material sorted by each sorting unit with the eyes of the operator,
Sorting errors are reduced and sorting can be performed accurately, but a large number of each conveyed product must be individually inspected.
Inspection work takes time and effort. In addition, it is necessary to sort each of the conveyed goods sorted by the sorting unit different from the determination one by one into each of the predetermined sorting units by a worker's hand,
There is also a problem that work efficiency is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention makes it possible to accurately and reliably detect where an operation abnormality has occurred in each of the sorting units based on the detection by the operation monitoring means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting monitoring device capable of performing a normal and accurate sorting operation by repairing a replaced sorting unit or replacing parts and reducing sorting errors and performing a highly accurate sorting operation.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Along with providing operation monitoring means for monitoring the operation state of each of the sorting units, based on detection by the operation monitoring means,
It is a sorting monitoring device including an operation determining means for determining whether the operating state of each sorting unit is normal or abnormal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting monitoring device provided with a signal monitoring means for monitoring a signal of a control circuit for controlling the operation of each of the sorting means, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a sorting unit having an abnormal operation based on the determination by the operation determining means is provided for each of the sorting units. It is a sorting monitoring device provided with an informing means for informing.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting monitoring apparatus which sorts a conveyed article based on an inspection by an inspection means (for example, reading of image data captured by an imaging camera or bar code, magnetic data, and characters). Each sorting unit provided in the transport unit is individually monitored by the operation monitoring unit, and based on the detection by the operation monitoring unit, where in each sorting unit,
For example, since the operation determining means determines whether or not an operation abnormality such as malfunction, disconnection, breakage, or burn-in has occurred, it is possible to accurately and reliably detect the sorting section in which the operation abnormality has occurred. In addition, when an abnormal operation is detected, the sorting section is repaired or parts are replaced, and normal and accurate sorting work is performed, so that the transported article is incorrectly sorted to a sorting section different from the inspection. Can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect, the sorting monitoring device monitors a signal of a control circuit for controlling the operation of each sorting means by a signal monitoring means, and the signal is set in advance. Then, it is determined whether the sorting operation is normal or abnormal by comparing whether or not the conditions match. For example, by determining where a change in voltage, current, or the like has occurred in each of the sorting units, it is possible to reliably detect an operation abnormality that is difficult to detect by an operator. When the signal monitoring means determines that the data is normal, the sorting operation is continued. When it is determined that the operation is abnormal, for example, the operation abnormality is notified or the sorting operation is stopped.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the sorting monitoring device determines where an abnormal operation has occurred in each of the sorting units by the operation determining means. The corresponding sorting unit, for example, a rotating light,
Immediate notification is provided by notification means such as a lamp, buzzer, speaker, display monitor, etc., so even if an operation error occurs in any of the sorting sections, it can be confirmed by the eyes or ears of the operator, and an operation error occurs. Since the sorting section can be accurately grasped, maintenance work such as repair and replacement can be performed immediately.

[0012]

According to the present invention, based on the detection by the operation monitoring means, the operation determining means determines where the operation abnormality has occurred in each of the sorting sections. Even if an operation abnormality such as breakage or seizure occurs,
The sorting section where the operation abnormality has occurred can be accurately and reliably detected. In addition, when an abnormal operation is detected, the sorting section is repaired or parts are replaced, and normal and accurate sorting work is performed. It can be prevented from being processed. Further, a signal of a control circuit that controls each sorting unit is monitored by a signal monitoring unit, and, for example, it is difficult for the operator to find out by determining where a change in voltage, current, or the like has occurred in each sorting unit. Even if an operation abnormality occurs, it can be reliably detected, sorting errors are reduced, and highly accurate sorting work can be performed.

Further, based on the judgment by the operation judging means, the sorting section in which the operation abnormality has occurred is immediately notified by notifying means such as a rotating light, a lamp, a buzzer, a speaker and a display monitor. No matter where the abnormal operation occurs, it can be confirmed with the eyes and ears of the worker. Because the sorting part where the operation abnormality occurred can be accurately grasped,
Maintenance work such as repairing the sorting unit or replacing a failed component can be performed immediately, and sorting errors can be reduced.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an example of a conveyed product, the drawings show an embodiment in which a conveyed product sorting device for sorting fruit and vegetables by equal grades is provided with a sorting monitoring device for monitoring each sorting unit.
In FIG. 2, the conveyed product sorting apparatus 1 sequentially transfers a large number of fruits and vegetables A to be received from the dispersing conveyor 2 to the respective aligning conveyors 3, and arranges them by the respective aligning conveyors 3. The fruits and vegetables A that have been produced are sequentially placed on each of the sorting conveyors 4. The grade inspection device 5 arranged in the inspection section a on the sorting conveyor 4 determines the grade of each fruit and vegetable A ... and, based on the determination, sends the result to each of the sorting sections b to f on the sorting conveyor 4. Each of the fruit and vegetable products A ... is released to each of the arranged distribution conveyors 6 by equal rank, and the non-standard fruit and vegetable products A are released to the collection conveyor 7 provided in the sorting section g. In addition, the sorting monitoring device 8 connected to the class inspection device 5 constantly monitors the sorting operation of each of the sorting units b to g, and an operation error occurs in any of the sorting units b to g during the operation. The sorting unit b-g in which the operation abnormality has occurred is notified to the worker by the alarm 9 based on the detection.

The above-mentioned sorting conveyor 4 has a plurality of (for example, two) endless belts 18 and 18 at the lower and upper ends of one side of a conveying path.
The sprockets 19, 19 are fixed to the center of rotation of the return plates 20, 20 by the driving force of a feed motor 21 with a speed reducer arranged at the lower part on the starting end side. The endless belts 18, 18 and the return plates 20, 20 are rotated in the feed direction via the sprockets 22, 23 and the drive chain 24, and the respective rotating bodies 25,... , In the feed direction at a speed faster than the alignment conveyor 3. Each rotating body 25 is rotated by rotating machines 56, 56 disposed at the front and lower portions of the inspection section a.
... is rotated.

Between the upper edges of the endless bands 18, 18, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the mounting members 26 is fixed at equal intervals in the feeding direction, and a lower end of the mounting member 26 has a shaft support member 27 orthogonal to the feeding direction. And the base end of the support shaft 28 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft support member 27 in the direction perpendicular to the feed direction. The outer peripheral surface is formed in a shape having a large diameter from the outer peripheral surface toward the outer peripheral surface at both ends, and the hollow or solid formed rotating body 25 is freely rotatable, and a large number of rotating bodies 25 are fed. The fruits and vegetables A are arranged at intervals before and after the direction in which the fruits and vegetables are placed, and are pivotally mounted so as to be vertically swingable in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. Instead of the rotating body 25 described above, a rotating body 25 having an outer peripheral surface formed in a shape having the same outer diameter from the outer peripheral surface on one end side to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side may be bearing.

A locking lever 29 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the mounting member 26, and is fixed to the upper end of the shaft support member 27 by the elasticity of the spring member 30 which is compressed and loaded on the rear end side of each other. The locking shaft 31 that has been rotated is urged in the direction in which the locking claw 32 of the locking lever 29 is locked, and the regulating shaft 33 fixed to the upper end of the mounting member 26 and the shaft support member 27 and the locking lever 29
And the rotation is restricted to a position where the locking shaft 31 and the locking claw 32 are locked. By locking and unlocking each other, the rotating body 25 swings up and down between the horizontal position where the fruit and vegetables A are placed and the discharging position. The restricting projection 34 formed on the lower end of the shaft support member 27 and the abutting member 35 fixed to the front end of the mounting member 26 are in contact with each other, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating body 25 to the obliquely downward discharge posture.

On a support shaft 27a for supporting the shaft support member 27, an elongate lifting member 36 formed in a shape and thickness that is allowed to protrude and retract between the rotating bodies 25, 25 is vertically swingable. The lifting members 36... Disposed between the rotating bodies 25... Are integrally formed or connected at an interval at which the fruits and vegetables A are supported in a horizontal posture. In the embodiment, three lifting members 36 formed in a long shape and a short shape are used.
... are integrally formed or connected.

The lower edge of each lifting member 36...
Is guided along a guide member 39 provided at the front and lower portions of the lifting member 36. When the lifting members 36 are engaged with the guide members 39, the lifting members 36 are more moved than between the rotating members 25 in the horizontal posture. The upper edge portion is slightly protruded upward, and is a height at which the fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 25 are pushed up, and at least a part of the fruit vegetables A from the outer peripheral surface of each rotating body 25. It is guided around the projecting position to make the whole float in a non-contact state.

When the lifting members 36 drop off from the guide members 39, the base ends of the lifting members 36 contact the support shafts 29a that support the locking lever 29, and the rotating members 25 in the horizontal posture. Each lifting member 36 is slightly lower than the space between the rotating bodies 25 in the release position, and has a smaller inclination than the rotating bodies 25. The rotation is restricted to the height at which the fruit product A placed in between is pushed up, the height at which the fruit product A is discharged in the release direction, and the immersion position at which the fruit product A is inclined.

The above-described class inspection apparatus 5 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the entire inspection section a set on the sorting conveyor 6 is surrounded by a light-shielding box 40, and the inside of the inspection section a is divided into a front inspection area and a rear inspection area. On the upper part of the front inspection area surrounded by the shielding cover 41, fruit vegetables A
Imaging camera 4 for inspecting the class on the upper peripheral surface of the car
5 is disposed, and an imaging camera 46 for inspecting the grade is disposed opposite to the left peripheral surface, and rot is disposed on the upper portion surrounded by the shielding cover 42 in opposition to the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A. An imaging camera 47 to be inspected is provided. In the upper part of the rear inspection area surrounded by the shielding cover 43, an imaging camera 48 for inspecting the same class is arranged opposite to the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A, and the class is opposed to the right peripheral surface thereof. An imaging camera 49 for inspecting is provided, and on an upper portion surrounded by the shielding cover 44,
An imaging camera 50 for inspecting for decay is provided facing the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A.

The imaging cameras 45 to 50 are, for example, CC
It is composed of imaging means such as a D camera and a picture element (CCD),
The apparatus main body 51 for determining the grade of the fruit and vegetable A and the monitor 52 for displaying an image of the fruit and vegetable A are connected to the article detection sensor S1, the origin detection sensor S2, and the The passage detection sensor S3, the origin detection sensor S2 and the passage detection sensor S3 provided in the sorting sections b to g, and the unlocking device 55 are connected to the apparatus main body 51. Fruits and vegetables A moved into the shielding covers 41 and 43 are illuminated by illuminators 53.
The fruits and vegetables A moved into the shielding covers 42 and 44 are illuminated by illuminators 54 composed of, for example, ultraviolet lamps.

The four imaging locations for inspecting the class and rot are provided with an article detection sensor S1 for detecting the passage of the fruit and vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 25, and a corresponding rotating body 25 at the head. Origin piece 26 fixed to the rear edge of mounting member 26
a origin detection sensor S2 for detecting the passage of
, A passage detection sensor S3 for detecting passage of a detection piece 26b projecting from the lower surface side of the mounting member 26 is provided. The passage detection sensors S3 are provided respectively.

In response to the detection by the sensors S1, S2, S3, the apparatus body 51 scans the upper and lower peripheral surfaces and the left and right peripheral surfaces of the fruit and vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 25. The image data captured by the imaging cameras 45 to 50 and the number-of-movements data of the rotating bodies 25... Are stored in association with each other, and the previously stored data of the class and rottenness and the image data are stored. By comparison, grades (eg, color, sugar content, scratches,
Rotting, outer diameter, shape, height, width, volume, flatness, maturity,
Judgment of non-standard that does not correspond to the class). And sensor
Based on the detection by S2 and S3, the number of passages of each of the rotating bodies 25 to be moved to the sorting units b to g is counted by a counter, and each of the rotating bodies 25 is moved to each of the sorting units b to g corresponding to the judgment. Then, the sorter 55 is operated, and each of the rotating bodies 25 on which the fruit and vegetable A is placed swings up and down to the discharging posture.

The above-described rotating machine 56 is provided with a rotation imparting belt 57 formed of an elastic member having a large contact resistance, and
5 are stretched to a position where they are pressed against the lower peripheral surface on the free end side of the rotating end of the rotating bodies 25 by the driving force of a motor with a speed reducer (not shown). High-speed rotation (more than the feed speed) in the same direction, or low-speed rotation or rotation stop in the direction opposite to the circling direction,
By rotating the rotating bodies 25 pressed against the rotation imparting belt 57 forward or backward while rotating, the large and small fruit vegetables A due to the peripheral speed difference generated on the small diameter side and the large diameter side of each rotating body 25. In the front and rear direction in the same area (for example,
180 degrees). The rotating end of each rotating body 25 is slightly lifted and rotated while being tilted to one side, and the oblique or standing fruit vegetable A is tilted to a horizontal posture. Alternatively,
Each of the rotating members 25... Is rotated while being pressed against a rotation imparting pad (not shown) formed of the same member as the rotation imparting belt 57, thereby being placed between the rotating members 25. The fruit and vegetable A is rotated in the front-rear direction.

The above-mentioned sorter 55 is composed of, for example, a solenoid, a motor, an air cylinder and the like.
.. G are disposed on the lower side of one side in opposition to the rear end of the locking lever 29 attached to the attachment member 26. Each sorter 55 is operated independently on the basis of the judgment by the class inspection device 5, and releases the rear end of the locking lever 29 to the release member 5.
5a, the locking shaft 31 of the shaft support member 27 and the locking claw 32 of the locking lever 29 are unlocked.
Are rotated to the release posture. On the other hand, each of the rotating bodies 25 and each of the lifting members 36 are orbitally moved toward the start end while engaging with the outer peripheral edges of the return plates 20 and 20, and the locking shaft 31 and the locking claw 32 are locked to each other. To return to the horizontal posture. Each lifting member 36 is moved in the feed direction along the upper edge of the guide member 39. Alternatively, each of the rotating bodies 25 may be rotated and returned by a return means such as its own weight or a spring.

FIG. 7 is a control circuit block diagram of the sorting monitoring device 8. Since the circuits provided for each of the sorting units b to g are the same, one circuit will be described with reference to the drawings. The main body 51 of the class inspection apparatus 5 includes an annunciator 9 for notifying an abnormality of each of the sorting units b to g, and an operation sequencer 58 for controlling the operation of each of the sorting units b to g.
And a monitoring sequencer 59 for monitoring the operation of each of the sorting units b to g, and each of the annunciators 9 ... and each of the sequencers 5
The operations of the units 8 and 59 are controlled based on a signal output from the apparatus main body 51 in accordance with a program stored in a storage circuit in advance.

The sorter 55 is connected to the operation sequencer 58 via an IC switch circuit 60. As shown in FIG. 8, when a program output bit is output from the apparatus main body 51, the operation sequencer 58 detects The drive signal (b) is output to the sorter 55 in synchronization with the timing signal (a). The IC switch circuit 60 includes the operation sequencer 5
When a drive signal (b) is input from the control unit 8, an ON operation is performed. At this time, the sorter 55 is operated (predetermined time).
On the other hand, when the drive signal (b) is not input from the operation sequencer 58, the operation is turned off. The sorter 55 is not operated.

A monitoring sequencer 59 is connected between the sorter 55 and the IC switch circuit 60 via an IC switch circuit 61, and the IC switch circuit 61 outputs a voltage (for example, a voltage output from the sorter 55). (Approximately 24 V) is determined to be a high level or a low level. That is, when the detection timing signal (A) is input, the drive signal (B) is output from the operation sequencer 58, and when the IC switch circuit 60 is turned on, the sorter 55 is operated. When the sorter 55 operates normally, the output signal (c) is input from the sorter 55, so that the IC switch circuit 61 is turned off. At this time, the operation detection signal (d) of the IC switch circuit 61 is input to the monitoring sequencer 59, but the monitoring sequencer 59 does not output the abnormality detection signal (e). The apparatus main body 51 compares each signal (a, b, c, d) with a preset condition to determine whether the sorting operation is normal or abnormal. When it is determined to be normal, the sorting operation is continued. If it is determined to be abnormal,
The alarm 9 notifies the occurrence of the operation abnormality, and temporarily stops the sorting operation.

A drive signal (b) from the operation sequencer 58
Is not output and the IC switch circuit 60 is OFF,
Since the sorter 55 is not operated and the output signal (C) is not input, the IC switch circuit 61 is turned ON. At this time, since the operation detection signal (d) is not input from the IC switch circuit 61, the monitoring sequencer 59 outputs the abnormality detection signal (e). The device main body 51 outputs each signal (A,
B, c, d) do not match the preset conditions,
It is determined that the sorting operation is abnormal, and the annunciator 9 notifies that the operation abnormality has occurred.

A drive signal (b) from the operation sequencer 58
Is output, and if the sorter 55 does not operate when the IC switch circuit 60 is ON, the output signal (C) is not input, and the IC switch circuit 61 is turned ON. At this time, since the operation detection signal (d) is not input from the IC switch circuit 61, the monitoring sequencer 5
Reference numeral 9 outputs an abnormality detection signal (e). The device body 51 is
The annunciator 9 notifies that an operation abnormality has occurred.

When the detection timing signal (a) is not input, the drive signal (b) is not output from the operation sequencer 58, and when the IC switch circuit 60 is OFF and the sorter 55 malfunctions, the output signal is output. The signal (c) is input,
The IC switch circuit 61 is turned on. At this time, IC
The operation detection signal (d) of the switch circuit 61 is input to the monitoring sequencer 59. However, since the signals (a, b, c, d) do not match the preset conditions, the apparatus main body 51
Determines that an abnormality has occurred in the sorting operation, and notifies the alarm 9 that an operation abnormality has occurred.

When the sorter 55 does not operate, the output signal (c) is not input, and the IC switch circuit 61 is turned on. At this time, the operation detection signal (d) of the IC switch circuit 61 is input to the monitoring sequencer 59. As described above, the sorting operation is determined to be abnormal, and the alarm 9 notifies the occurrence of the operation abnormality. I do. It is also possible to monitor the fluctuation of the current, for example, by monitoring the change in the voltage applied to both ends of the sorter 55, and to monitor the change in the position of each of the sorting units b to g as described above. It is possible to detect whether or not an operation abnormality has occurred. Since the voltage level or current level of each signal (a, b, c, d, e) is reversed depending on the component used, by setting a condition according to the level, an operation abnormality can be performed in the same manner as described above. Can be detected.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above. Hereinafter, a large number of fruits and vegetables A
The operation at the time of performing the sorting process for... Will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fruits and vegetables A to be received are dispersed by the dispersing conveyor 2 and distributed to the respective aligning conveyors 3. Each rotating body 25 of the sorting conveyors 4 for fruit and vegetables A ...
Transfer one piece at a time.

Next, each rotating body 25 of the sorting conveyor 4
Are rotated by the rotating machine 56, and the fruits and vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 25 are rotated back and forth, and the diagonally or upright fruits and vegetables A are turned over and transported in a fixed posture. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, each lifting member 36... Projects slightly above the space between each of the rotating bodies 25. The large and small fruits and vegetables A conveyed while being sandwiched, oblique or standing upright are corrected to the horizontal posture.

In the front inspection area of the inspection part a, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, in response to the detection by the sensors S1, S2, S3, the front peripheral surface and the left peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A held in a horizontal posture by the lifting members 36.
An imaging camera 47 captures an image at 46 and determines the degree of rot on the front side peripheral surface.
The image data captured by the imaging cameras 45, 46, 47 and the number-of-movements data of the rotating bodies 25 are stored in the apparatus main body 51 in association with each other.

Next, the lifting members 36 are temporarily immersed, and the fruits and vegetables A are placed again between the rotating bodies 25 and transported. Immediately after the front inspection area, each of the rotating bodies 25 is rotated by the rotating machine 56 in the same manner as described above.
... The large and small fruit vegetables A placed in between are turned upside down. After the reversal, the lifting members 36 are projected, and the fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 25 are once lifted to correct the fruit vegetables A to the horizontal posture.

Next, in the rear inspection area, the sensors S1,
In response to the detection by S2 and S3, the back peripheral surface and the right peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable product A held in a horizontal posture by the respective lifting members 36 are imaged by the imaging cameras 48 and 49, and the rear peripheral surface rots. The condition is imaged by the imaging camera 50 and the imaging camera 4
8, 49, and 50, and each rotating body 25
.. Are stored in the apparatus main body 51 in association with each other.

Next, the lifting members 36 are immersed, and the fruit vegetables A are placed again between the rotating bodies 25 and transported. At the same time, the apparatus main body 51 compares the image data captured by the imaging cameras 45 to 50 with the data of the pre-stored class and rotten condition to comprehensively determine the class. As shown in FIG. 5, based on the detection by the sensors S2 and S3, the number of movements of each of the rotating bodies 25 moved to each of the sorting units b to g is counted, and the number of rotations moved to each of the sorting units b to g is counted. It is determined whether the movement number data of the body 25 matches the movement number data stored in the apparatus main body 51, and whether or not the body 25 has been moved to a position corresponding to the same class is determined. Thing A
Is moved, the program output bit of the device main body 51 is output to the operation sequencer 58 of the sorting monitoring device 8 for controlling the operation of each of the sorting units b to g.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the operation sequencer 58 outputs the drive signal (b) in synchronization with the detection timing signal (a),
The C switch circuit 60 is turned on, and the sorter 55 disposed at a position corresponding to the determination is operated in synchronization with the rotation speed of each of the rotating bodies 25. Only 25 are released by swinging to the release position. When the sorter 55 operates normally, the IC switch circuit 61
Is turned off, and the operation detection signal (d) of the IC switch circuit 61 is input to the monitoring sequencer 59, but the monitoring sequencer 59 does not output the abnormality detection signal (e). (A), (b), (c), and (d) are compared with the preset conditions to determine whether they are normal or abnormal. When it is determined to be normal, the sorting operation is performed continuously.

If the drive signal (b) is not output from the operation sequencer 58 and the IC switch circuit 60 is OFF, the sorter 55 is not operated and the IC switch circuit 6
1 is turned on. At this time, since the operation detection signal (d) is not input and the monitoring sequencer 59 outputs the abnormality detection signal (e), the apparatus main body 51 outputs the signals (a, b, c,.
Since d) does not match the preset condition, the sorting operation is determined to be abnormal, and the occurrence of the operation abnormality is reported by the alarm 9.

Even if the drive signal (b) is output from the operation sequencer 58 and the IC switch circuit 60 is turned on, the IC switch circuit 61 is turned off if the sorter 55 does not operate. At this time, the operation detection signal (d) is not input, and the monitoring sequencer 59 outputs the abnormality detection signal (e) in the same manner as described above. Therefore, the apparatus main body 51 notifies the alarm 9 that the operation abnormality has occurred. To inform.

When the detection timing signal (A) is not input, the drive signal (B) is not output from the operation sequencer 58, and the IC switch circuit 60 is OFF, for example, the sorter 55 due to a short circuit or the like. Malfunctions, an output signal (C) is input and the IC switch circuit 6
1 is turned on. Alternatively, when the sorter 55 does not operate due to a disconnection or the like, the output signal (c) is not input, and
The IC switch circuit 61 is turned on, but when the above situation occurs, the operation detection signal (d) of the IC switch circuit 61 is input to the monitoring sequencer 59, and the monitoring sequencer 59 outputs the abnormality detection signal (e). Since the output is performed, the device main body 51 notifies the annunciator 9 that the operation abnormality has occurred, as described above.

In the same manner as described above, each sorting conveyor 4
By individually monitoring each of the sorting units b to g provided in..., It is possible to accurately and reliably detect where each of the sorting units b to g has an operation abnormality. At the same time, when an operation abnormality occurs in any of the sorting units b to g, the position is immediately notified by the alarms 9..., And can be confirmed by the eyes and ears of the worker. Since it can be accurately grasped, work such as repair and replacement can be executed immediately. Hereinafter, similarly, based on the determination by the apparatus main body 51, each sorting unit b
To each of the sorting units b to f, and the distribution conveyors 6 arranged in the respective sorting units b to f transfer the fruit and vegetables A. (For example,
The conveyer 7 transported to the box packing process and disposed in the sorting section g collects each non-standard fruit and vegetable A ... in the collecting section (not shown).
Transport to

As described above, each of the sorting units b to g provided on the sorting conveyor 4 is individually monitored, and each of the sorting units b to g is monitored.
(G) is determined by the sorting and monitoring device 8 so that even if an operation abnormality such as a malfunction, disconnection, breakage, or seizure occurs as in the conventional example, each of the operation abnormalities occurs. The sorting units b to g can be accurately and reliably detected. In addition, when an operation abnormality is detected, each of the sorting units b to g is repaired or replaced with a new one to perform a normal and accurate sorting operation. It is possible to prevent the fruit and vegetable A from being erroneously sorted and processed. Further, by monitoring fluctuations in voltage, current, and the like added to the control circuits of the sorting units b to g, even if an operation abnormality that is difficult to be detected by an operator occurs, it can be reliably detected, and sorting errors can be detected. It is possible to reduce the number of sorting operations and to perform highly accurate sorting work.

Further, based on the judgment by the apparatus main body 51, each of the sorting sections b to g in which the operation abnormality has occurred is replaced with, for example, an annunciator 9 including a rotating light, a lamp, a buzzer, a speaker, a display monitor, and the like. The operator is notified by..., And even if an operation abnormality occurs in any of the sorting units b to g, it can be confirmed by the operator's eyes and ears. In addition, since each of the sorting units b to g in which the operation abnormality has occurred can be accurately grasped, maintenance work for repairing each of the sorters 55... Or replacing failed parts can be performed immediately, thereby reducing sorting errors. be able to.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the conveyed material of the present invention corresponds to the fruit and vegetable product A of the embodiment, and similarly, the conveying means corresponds to the sorting conveyor 4. , The mounting section corresponds to the rotating body 25 of the embodiment, the inspection means corresponds to the class inspection apparatus 5, the notification means corresponds to the alarm 9, but the operation determination means corresponds to the apparatus body 51. The operation monitoring means, the signal monitoring means, and the control circuit correspond to the operation sequencer 5.
8. Monitoring sequencer 59, IC switch circuits 60 and 6.
Although corresponding to 1, the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the front and back peripheral surfaces and the left and right peripheral surfaces of the fruit and vegetable product A are imaged by the respective imaging cameras 45 to 50. Camera for imaging with the surface arranged diagonally above (not shown)
It is also possible to take an image from the front and / or the rear, and it is possible to reliably take an image of the entire peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable product A, and to judge the class accurately and accurately.

Further, in the embodiment, the mounting portion is constituted by the rotating body 25, but may be constituted by a mounting portion such as a cup, a bucket, a receiving plate or the like. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a conveyed product sorting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which fruit and vegetables are transported by a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a state in which fruit and vegetables are placed on a rotating body.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the vegetable is lifted by the lifting member.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a swinging state of a rotating body and a lifting member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an imaging state of fruit and vegetables by an imaging camera.

FIG. 7 is a control circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the sorting monitoring device.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation time of the sorting monitoring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Fruit vegetables a ... Inspection unit b-g ... Sorting unit 1 ... Conveyance sorting device 4 ... Sorting conveyor 5 ... Classification inspection device 6 ... Distribution conveyor 7 ... Recovery conveyor 8 ... Sorting monitoring device 9 ... Alarm 25 ... Rotating body 51 ... Device main body 55 ... Sorter 58 ... Operation sequencer 59 ... Monitoring sequencer 60, 61 ... IC switch circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] An inspection means inspects each conveyed object placed on each mounting part of the conveyance means, and drives each of the sorting means provided in each of the sorting parts based on the inspection. A sorting monitoring device provided in a transport sorting apparatus for sorting each transported product to each sorting unit, wherein an operation monitoring unit for monitoring an operation state of each sorting unit is provided; An assortment monitoring device including an operation determination unit that determines whether an operation state of each of the sorting units is normal or abnormal based on detection. 2. The sorting monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising signal monitoring means for monitoring a signal of a control circuit for controlling the operation of each of said sorting means. 3. The sorting monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a sorting unit in which an operation abnormality has occurred based on the determination by the operation determining unit, corresponding to each of the sorting units.