JPH10279060A - Article conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly perform inspection work and sorting work of the articles by packing the articles between the rotators of the same outer diameter arranged on different levels in the vertical direction, to convey the same, and preventing the movement of the articles by the difference in level of the rotors, so that the articles of various sizes can be surely rotated. SOLUTION: When it is necessary to correct the direction and attitude of the fruit and vegetables A as the articles which are placed between the rotors 24, 25 of the same diameter, arranged on different levels in the vertical direction, a rotating machine 6 is driven to rotate the rotors 24, 25 on which the fruit and vegetables A are placed. On this occasion, the transfer in the longitudinal direction, of the fruit and vegetables A can be prevented by the difference in level, of the rotors 24, 25, and the fruit and vegetables of large, middle and small sizes are rotated by the rotating force of the rotators 24, 25, to correct the direction and attitude. Whereby the inspection work and the sorting work of the fruit and vegetables A can be properly performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to fruit and vegetables such as house oranges, summer oranges, apples, watermelons, pears, persimmons, peaches, potatoes, and ball balls for tennis, soccer, baseball, table tennis and the like. The present invention relates to an article transport device used for transporting an article having such a substantially spherical shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for transporting fruit and vegetables such as that described above, for example, a number of rollers are arranged at predetermined intervals in a feed direction, and a driving force of a feed motor with a speed reducer is provided. Therefore, there is a roller conveyor that rotates each roller in the feeding direction and sequentially conveys the fruits and vegetables placed between the rollers in the feeding direction.

[0003]

However, when the fruits and vegetables are conveyed by the roller conveyor described above, if the diameter of the fruits and vegetables placed between the rollers is small, the fruits and vegetables are located in the valleys of the rollers arranged in front and rear. Since the objects are fitted, the fruit vegetables are prevented from moving back and forth (transfer), and the fruits and vegetables can be rotated (for example, about 180 degrees) by the rotational force of each roller. When a fruit product with a large size is transported, the larger the diameter of the fruit product placed between the rollers, the smaller the fitting amount becomes, and the upper peripheral surface of each roller and the lower peripheral surface of the fruit product are substantially horizontally Because each roller is rotated in the feed direction, the fruits and vegetables placed between the rollers move horizontally (transfer) in the feed direction, and the fruits and vegetables cannot be turned upside down. have. In addition, when the rotation of the fruits and vegetables is insufficient (for example, about 180 degrees or less), the back side of the fruits and vegetables cannot be inspected, and the work of inspecting the same class of the fruits and vegetables and the operation of sorting by the same rank are accurate. There is also a problem that it can not be performed.

In view of the above problems, the present invention mounts and conveys articles between rotating bodies of the same outer diameter which are arranged up and down steps so that the movement of the articles is prevented by the steps of the rotating bodies. It is possible to reliably rotate goods of various sizes,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article transport device capable of accurately performing article inspection work and sorting work.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A number of rotators formed at the same outer diameter are erected at right angles to the feeding direction on a transfer surface of a transfer unit provided on a transfer path, and the above-mentioned rotators are placed between the respective rotators. The present invention is characterized in that the article transport device is arranged in the feed direction at intervals, and the rotators in the front and rear are eccentrically arranged so as to be vertically different from each other by an arbitrary number in the feed direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a large number of rotating bodies having the same outer diameter are provided on the transport side edge of the endless belt provided on the side of the transport path so as to be orthogonal to the feeding direction. To
An article conveyance in which the rotating bodies before and after the rotating bodies are arranged eccentrically so as to be vertically different from each other by an arbitrary number in the feeding direction, while being arranged in the feeding direction at intervals between the rotating bodies. The device is characterized in that:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a plurality of rotating bodies are eccentrically arranged downward with respect to each of the rotating bodies arranged before and after the arbitrary number. It is a featured article conveying device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a plurality of sets of the arbitrary number of rotating bodies are arranged as a set, and before and after being arranged on the adjacent side of each set. The article transport device is characterized in that an arbitrary number of rotating bodies are arranged eccentrically downward with respect to each rotating body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first or second aspect, the upper and lower stages of rotation of the article placed on the transport path in a direction in which the direction of the article is changed. The present invention is characterized in that the article conveying apparatus is provided with a rotating means for rotating a body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the article transporter is provided such that the rotating means is provided to rotate the lower rotating body faster than the upper rotating body. The device is characterized in that:

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the articles are placed between the upper and lower rotating bodies provided on the transporting means and transported. The large-diameter article is supported by the upper rotating body arranged in front and rear and the lower rotating body arranged therebetween. Since the movement (transit) of the article is prevented by the step of each rotating body, the mounting posture of the article is stabilized, and the displacement of the mounting position of the article can be reliably prevented.
When each rotating body is rotated, the articles are surely rotated (for example, about 180 degrees), so that various articles having different sizes such as large, medium, and small can be rotated, and inspection of fruit and vegetable products can be performed. Work and sorting work can be performed accurately.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the article is placed and transported between the upper and lower rotating members provided on the endless belt, so that the article is transported in various sizes such as large, medium and small. The article is supported by each rotating body. Since the movement (transit) of the fruit and vegetable is prevented by the step of each rotating body, the mounting posture of the article is stabilized, and it is possible to reliably prevent the mounting position of the article from being displaced. Since the articles are reliably rotated (for example, about 180 degrees) when rotated, various articles having different sizes can be rotated, and the inspection and sorting of the articles can be performed accurately.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, in accordance with the operation of the first or second aspect, the number of the rotating bodies arranged on the upper side corresponds to the number of the rotating bodies arranged on the lower side. Since the spacing is widened, large-diameter articles such as summer oranges, watermelons, etc. can be placed between the rotating bodies. In addition, since a plurality of rotating bodies are simultaneously brought into contact with the lower peripheral surface of the article, the contact area between the article and each rotating body increases, and the contact resistance required for rotating a large article is obtained. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to an operation of rotating articles of various sizes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, when an article is placed between the rotating bodies arranged on the upper stage side, the rotation of each of the rotating bodies is performed. The article is moved (transferred) in the front-rear direction by the force, so that the article can always be transferred between the rotating bodies arranged vertically differently. In addition, since the movement (transit) of the article is prevented by the step of each rotating body, the article can be surely rotated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, each of the upper and lower rotating bodies on which the article is placed is rotated by a rotating means, so that each of the rotating bodies is disposed between the rotating bodies. Since the orientation of the article placed on the object is changed, the outer peripheral surface of the article can be surely inspected by an inspecting means such as an operator's eye or an imaging camera.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in combination with the operation of the fifth aspect, the rotating means rotates the lower rotating body faster than the upper rotating body by the rotating means. , The rotational force of the lower rotating body is positively applied, and the operation of rotating the article can be reliably performed.

[0017]

According to the present invention, since articles are placed and conveyed between the rotating bodies arranged up and down steps, the amount of the articles placed between the rotating bodies is deep, and Since the movement of the article is reliably prevented by the step of the body, the mounting posture of the article is stabilized, and the displacement of the mounting position of the article can be reliably prevented. In addition, when the rotating members on the upper and lower stages on which the articles are placed are rotated by the rotating means, transfer of the articles is prevented by the step of each rotating body, so that various articles having different sizes can be surely rotated. The inspection and sorting of fruit and vegetables can be performed accurately.

Further, by arranging a plurality of lower rotating bodies, for example, articles having a large diameter such as summer oranges and watermelons can be placed between the rotating bodies, and the article and each rotating body can be placed. Since the contact area required for rotating the article is increased and the contact resistance required for rotating the article is obtained, the present invention can be applied to the operation of rotating articles of various sizes. In addition, when an article is placed between the rotating bodies arranged on the upper side, the article is moved in the front-rear direction by the rotational force of each rotating body. Articles can always be transferred, and the operation of rotating articles can be performed reliably. In addition, by rotating the lower rotating body faster than the upper rotating body, the rotating force of the rotating body is positively applied to the lower peripheral surface of the article, and the work of rotating the article is reliably performed. I can do it.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show, as an example of an article, a fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment using an article transporting apparatus in an operation or a process of sorting fruit and vegetables having a substantially spherical shape by grade, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus 1 sorts a large number of fruit and vegetables A transported by the dispersing conveyor 2 to the sorting conveyors 3 and sorts the fruit and vegetables A sorted to the sorting conveyors 3 respectively. Are placed in sequence. The fruits and vegetables A ... are turned upside down by the rotating machine 6 arranged in the inspection section a on the sorting conveyor 4, and the fruits and vegetables A ... are imaged by the grade inspection apparatus 5 arranged in the same section to determine the grade. I do. Based on the determination, the fruit and vegetable A is distributed to the distribution conveyors 7 arranged in the sorting units b to f on the sorting conveyor 4.
.. Are released according to the class, and the non-standard fruit vegetables A are released to the collection conveyor 8 disposed in the sorting section g.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the above-described sorting conveyor 4 has one or a plurality of endless belts 18 made of, for example, chains, belts, etc., which are parallel to the feeding direction. It is installed on the side of the transport path. In the embodiment, two endless belts 18, 18 are stretched between sprockets 19, 19 pivotally supported at the start end and the end, respectively.
9, the return plates 20 and 20 are fixed to the shaft end of the transfer side, and are driven endlessly via sprockets 21a and 21b and a drive chain 21c by the driving force of a feed motor 21 with a speed reducer disposed at the lower part of the starting end. Belts 18, 18 and return plates 20, 2
0 is rotated in the feed direction, and the upper and lower rotators 24 and 25 provided on the transport side edges of the endless bands 18 and 18 are circulated in the feed direction at a speed higher than that of the alignment conveyor 3.

A large number of mounting members 26 are fixed at equal intervals in the feed direction between the upper edges of the endless belts 18, 18. ) Are mounted at predetermined intervals in the feeding direction, and the pivoting members 27 are pivotally mounted so as to be able to rotate back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. A base shaft portion of the support shaft 28 is fixed to an upper end portion of the shaft support members 27 in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction. , The rotating bodies 24 and 25 having the same outer diameter and having a shape having a large diameter toward the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends are alternately mounted one by one.
Numerals 25 are pivotally mounted so as to be vertically swingable in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction, and are arranged in a keyboard at intervals in front and rear of the fruit vegetables A in the feeding direction. Instead of the drum-shaped rotating bodies 24 and 25 described above, rotating bodies 24 and 25 formed to have the same diameter from the outer peripheral surface on one end side to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side may be used.

The support shafts 28 are fixed to the upper end of the shaft support members 27 so as to be vertically different from each other.
The rotating body 24 is attached to the free end side shaft portion of the support shaft 28 fixed to the upper stage side.
Are rotatably supported, and the rotating body 25 is freely rotatably supported on the free end side shaft portion of the support shaft 28 fixed to the lower stage. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the axis of the rotating body 25 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotating body 24 so as to be lower by about h, and the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are moved by 1 in the feed direction. The rotating body 24 is attached to the rotating body 24 so that the free end is slightly extended in the axial direction so that the rotating body 24 is longer than the rotating body 25. In addition, the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are made of a member having a large contact resistance such as synthetic rubber (not shown).
To provide the contact resistance necessary to turn the fruit and vegetable product A upside down, and to prevent the outer peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable product A from being damaged. Alternatively, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 24 and 25, for example, a plurality or a large number of ridges (not shown) such as stripes, lattices, and meshes may be formed. In the example,
Although the four rotating bodies 24, 24, 25, and 25 are attached, for example, one or two rotating bodies may be attached.

At the upper end of the mounting member 26, a locking lever 29 is pivotally mounted so as to be able to swing up and down in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction, and is attached to a locking shaft 31 fixed to the upper end of the shaft supporting member 27. On the other hand, the spring member 30 is urged to rotate in the direction in which the locking claw 32 of the locking lever 29 is locked. The shaft support member 27 and the locking lever 29 are brought into contact with a control shaft 33 fixed to the upper end of the mounting member 26 to restrict the rotation to a position where the locking shaft 31 and the locking claw 32 are locked. The restricting projection 34 formed on the lower end of the support member 27 abuts on a contact member 35 fixed to the front end of the mounting member 26, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 to a discharge posture in which the rotating bodies 24 and 25 face diagonally downward. By locking or unlocking the locking lever 29, the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are vertically swung between a horizontal position where the fruit and vegetable A is placed and a release position where the fruit and vegetable A is released. . On the support shaft 27a that supports the support member 27, the thickness and the shape of the support member 27 are allowed to protrude and retract between the rotating bodies 24 and 25, and are spaced at intervals such that the fruit and vegetables A are supported in a horizontal posture. The lifting member 36 is pivotally mounted so as to be able to swing up and down. In the embodiment, four lifting members 36 formed in a long shape and a short shape are integrally formed or connected.

The lifting member 36 is guided from the start end of the transport path around the guide member 39 provided in the rear inspection area on the rear side of the inspection section a, and as shown in FIG.
Is engaged with the guide member 39, the rotating body 2 in the horizontal posture is
The lifting member 36 protrudes slightly upward from the space between the rotating bodies 24 and 25, and the height of the fruit vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 is pushed up. A is guided around at a projecting position for causing at least a part or all of A to float in a non-contact state. Lifting member 36
7, the lifting member 36 comes into contact with a support shaft 29a that supports the locking lever 29, as shown in FIG.
The lifting member 36 is slightly lower than the gap between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 in the discharging posture,
The inclination of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 is smaller than that of the rotating bodies 2 and 25.
The rotation is restricted to the height at which the fruit product A placed between 4 and 25 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 inspection section a set on the sorting conveyor 4 is divided into a front inspection area and a rear inspection area, and the front inspection area has an imaging camera facing the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A. 43, and an imaging camera 4 facing the left peripheral surface thereof.
4 are arranged. Immediately after, an imaging camera 45 is provided so as to face the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A. In the rear inspection area, the imaging camera 46 faces the upper peripheral surface of the vegetable A.
Is arranged, and an imaging camera 47 is arranged to face the right peripheral surface. Immediately after, an imaging camera 48 is provided so as to face the upper peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A.

The imaging cameras 43 to 48 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 and the origin detection sensor S2, the passage detection sensor S3, and the unlocking device 55 provided in the sorting units b to g are connected to the apparatus main body 51, and the front and rear inspection areas include:
For example, illuminators 53 and 54 composed of a halogen lamp, an ultraviolet lamp and the like are provided. In addition, corresponding to the imaging cameras 43, 45, 46, and 48, an article detection sensor S1 for detecting the passage of the fruit and vegetable A, and an origin piece protruding from the mounting member 26 corresponding to the leading rotating body 25 An origin detection sensor S2 for detecting the passage of the detection member 26a and a passage detection sensor S3 for detecting the passage of a detection piece 26b protruding from the mounting member 26 in correspondence with the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are provided respectively. b
In g, an origin detection sensor S2 and a passage detection sensor S3 are provided.

The device main body 51 described above includes sensors S1, S2,
In response to the detection by S3, the fruit vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 is imaged by the imaging cameras 43 to 48, the image data captured by the imaging cameras 43 to 48, and the rotating body 2
4 and 25 are stored in association with each other, and the image data is compared with pre-stored rank data to determine the rank (for example, color, sugar content, scratch, rot, outer diameter, shape, Height, width, volume, flatness, maturity, and non-equivalent classes) are determined, and the rottenness of the fruit and vegetable A is determined based on image data captured by the imaging cameras 45 and 48. In addition, based on the detection by the sensors S2 and S3, the sorting units b to
g, the number of passages of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 moved by the counter is counted by a counter, and when the fruit and vegetable A is conveyed to the sorting units b to g corresponding to the judgment, the sorter 55 arranged in the sorting units b to g.
… Are operated independently, and the rotating body 24 on which the fruit and vegetable A is placed,
25 is swung up and down to the release position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sorting device 55 is disposed on the right side of the sorting units b to g set on the sorting conveyor 4, and based on the above-described determination, for example, a solenoid, a motor, an air Sorting device 55 composed of a cylinder or the like
Is operated, and the locking lever 29 of the rotating body 25 corresponding to the determination is
Is depressed by the release member 55a of the sorter 55 to release the locking by the locking lever 29, so that only the rotating bodies 24 and 25 on which the fruit and vegetables A are placed are swung to the release posture. On the other hand, the rotating bodies 24, 25 and the lifting members 36 are reciprocated along the return plates 20, 20, and lock the locking shaft 31 and the locking claw 32 with each other to return to the horizontal posture. .
The lifting members 36 are moved back along the guide members 39. Further, the rotating bodies 24 and 25 may be rotated and returned by a return means such as their own weight or a spring.

The rotating machine 6 described above, as shown in FIG.
For example, a synthetic rubber or the like is disposed at the front side of the inspection part a and the middle part of the front and rear inspection area, and at a height and a position where the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are pressed against the lower peripheral surfaces at the free ends of the rotating bodies 24 and 25. A rotation imparting belt 5 having a large contact resistance and having a width and a length pressed against the free ends of the rotating bodies 24 and 25;
6, 57 are installed so as to be up and down steps. The rotation imparting belt 56 is brought into pressure contact with the lower peripheral surface at the free end side of the rotating body 24 via a pulley 56a pivotally supported at the start end and the end, and a belt guide 56b provided at the upper center. It is stretched. The rotation imparting belt 57 is brought into pressure contact with the lower peripheral surface on the free end side of the rotating body 25 via a pulley 57a pivotally supported at the start end and the end, and a belt guide 57b provided at the upper center. It is stretched. The belt guides 56b and 57b guide the rotation imparting belts 56 and 57 to a horizontal height where the belts 56 and 57b are pressed against the lower peripheral surfaces at the free ends of the rotating bodies 24 and 25.

The driving pulley 58 is driven by the driving force of the rotation motors 58 and 59 provided with the reduction gears disposed in front and rear of the lower part.
a, 59a and driven pulleys 58b, 59b, the rotation imparting belts 56, 57 are rotated at high speed (more than the feed speed) in a direction coinciding with the circling direction of the rotating bodies 24, 25, or in a direction opposite to the circling direction. The rotating body 2 is rotated at a low speed or stopped, and pressed against the rotation imparting belts 56 and 57.
As it rotates around while rotating 4, 25, the rotating body 2
Due to the peripheral speed difference between the small-diameter peripheral surface and the large-diameter peripheral surface of 4,25, the large, medium, and small fruit vegetables A are turned upside down (for example, 180 degrees) in the same region. In addition, the rotation imparting belt 5
6, the rotation applying belt 57 is rotated faster than the rotation
By rotating the rotating body 25 slightly faster than the rotation speed of 4, the rotating force of the rotating body 25 is positively applied to the lower peripheral surface of the fruit or vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 24, 24. .

As another rotation method, as shown in FIG. 10, the same members as the rotation imparting belts 56 and 57 are used at a height and a position where the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are pressed against the lower peripheral surfaces at the free ends. The formed rotation applying pads 60 and 61 are erected so as to be up and down steps, and are rotated in the feed direction while pressing the rotating bodies 24 and 25 against the rotation applying pads 60 and 61, so that the rotating , 25 can be turned upside down.

The illustrated embodiment is constructed as described above, and the operation when the fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus 1 sorts the fruit and vegetables A according to the grades will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the fruits and vegetables A... Conveyed by the dispersing conveyor 2 are sorted to the sorting conveyors 3. The fruits and vegetables A having a small diameter are sequentially transferred between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 of the sorting conveyor 4, and the rotating body 2 is placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25.
The fruit vegetable A having a large diameter is placed between 4, 24 and 25. When it is necessary to correct the orientation and posture of the fruit or vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25, the rotating machine 6 is driven to rotate the fruit or vegetable A on which the fruit or vegetable A is placed as shown in FIG. Body 24,25
Is rotated, the step of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 prevents the fruit and vegetables A from moving in the front-rear direction, so that the rotating force of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 rotates the large, medium and small fruit and vegetables A, and the orientation and posture. Can be modified. The lifting members 36 project upward and are fitted between the rotating bodies 24 and 25, or are oblique or upright elliptical fruit vegetables A.
Is corrected to a horizontal posture, and the fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are conveyed while being lifted.

Next, in the front inspection area of the inspection section a,
As shown in FIG. 8, sensors constituting the class inspection apparatus 5
In response to the detection of S1, S2, and S3, the front peripheral surface and the left peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable product A are imaged by the imaging cameras 43 to 45, and the image data captured by the imaging cameras 43 to 45 and the rotating body 2
The movement number data of 4, 25 are stored in the apparatus main body 51 in association with each other.

Next, the lifting members 36...
The imaged fruit vegetable A is placed on the rotating bodies 24, 24, 25. Immediately after the front side inspection area, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotating machine 6 is driven to rotate the rotating bodies 24, 24, 25 on which the fruit and vegetables A are placed in the same direction. The steps 24 and 25 prevent the fruit and vegetable product A from moving in the front-rear direction, and the large, medium and small fruit and vegetable products A are turned upside down (about 180 degrees) by the rotational force of the rotating bodies 24, 24 and 25. In addition, the large, medium, and small fruit vegetables A are reversed in the same area due to a peripheral speed difference generated between the small diameter side peripheral surface and the large diameter side peripheral surface of the rotating bodies 24, 25.

Next, the lifting members 36 are projected upward to lift the fruits and vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 again, and in the rear inspection area of the inspection section a, the sensors S1, S
2, in response to the detection of S3, the back peripheral surface and the right peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable product A are imaged by the imaging cameras 46 to 48, and the image data captured by the imaging cameras 46 to 48,
The 25 movement number data are stored in the apparatus main body 51 in association with each other.

Next, the lifting members 36 are immersed, and the fruits and vegetables A are placed again between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 and transported. At the same time, the apparatus main body 51 compares the image data captured by the imaging cameras 43 to 48 with the previously stored class data, and comprehensively determines the class. Based on the detection by the sensors S2 and S3, when the fruit and vegetable A is conveyed to the sorting units b to g corresponding to the determination, as shown in FIG.
g are operated independently, and the fruit vegetables A
Are rotated only to the discharge posture and discharged to the distribution conveyors 7 arranged in the sorting units b to f. Similarly, based on the determination by the apparatus main body 51, the fruits and vegetables A... Which are moved to the sorting units b to g are discharged for each rank, and the distribution conveyors 7 arranged in the sorting units b to f.
Transports fruit and vegetables A to the next step (for example, a boxing step), and the collection conveyor 8 disposed in the sorting section g transports non-standard fruit and vegetables A to a collection section (not shown).

As described above, since the rotating bodies 24 and 25 constituting the sorting conveyor 4 are arranged up and down with respect to the feed direction, fruit and vegetables placed between the front and rear rotating bodies 24 and 24 are arranged. Since the insertion amount of A is deep and the transfer of the fruit and vegetable A is reliably prevented by the step of the rotating bodies 24 and 25, the mounting posture of the fruit and vegetable A is stabilized, and the mounting position of the fruit and vegetable A is displaced. Can be reliably prevented.

Moreover, when the upper and lower rotating bodies 24 and 25 on which the fruit and vegetables A are mounted are rotated by the rotating machine 6, the steps of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 prevent the transfer of the fruit and vegetables A. Various kinds of fruit vegetables A having different sizes such as large, medium and small can be turned upside down by the rotational force of the rotating bodies 24 and 25, and the work of inspecting the front and back surfaces of the fruit vegetables A and sorting according to the same class. Work can be performed accurately. And, by making the rotation speed of the rotating body 25 faster than the rotating body 24,
The rotational force of the rotating body 25 is positively applied to the lower peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A, and the operation of turning the fruit and vegetable A upside down can be reliably performed.

FIG. 11 shows the rotating bodies 24 arranged on the upper side.
In between, a plurality of lower rotating bodies 25 (for example, two,
3) shows the sorting conveyors 4 of the second embodiment arranged in pairs, and the rotating machines 24 and 25 are rotated by the rotating machine 6 of the first embodiment, so that the rotating bodies 24 and 25 and the rotating bodies 25 and 25 are rotated. Since the large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed on the table are turned upside down, as in the first embodiment, the transfer of the fruit vegetables A is prevented by the steps of the rotating bodies 24, 25, and the rotating bodies 24, 25 and the rotating body Large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between 25 and 25 can be surely turned over. Moreover, since the mounting intervals of the rotating bodies 24, 24 arranged in front and rear are widened, for example, a fruit vegetable A (for example, watermelon or the like) larger than a fruit vegetable A such as summer oranges is placed between the rotating bodies 24, 24. Can be placed. Four rotating bodies 24, 24, 2 on the lower peripheral surface of fruit vegetable A
5, 25 are brought into contact at the same time, so that three rotating bodies 24,
Since the contact area with the fruit and vegetable A becomes larger than that of contacting the fruit and vegetable 24 and 25, and the contact resistance necessary for rotating the large fruit and vegetable A front and back is obtained, the work of rotating the fruit and vegetable A of various sizes is performed. Can be applied.

FIG. 12 shows a plurality (for example, two, three)
Of the third embodiment in which a number of rotating bodies 24 are arranged as one set in the feed direction, and one rotating body 25 is arranged between the rotating bodies 24, 24 arranged adjacent to each set. 1 shows a conveyor 4 and a rotating body 2 by a rotating machine 6 of the first embodiment.
4 and 25, the large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 are moved back and forth, and the rotating bodies 2 arranged back and forth.
Since the fruit and vegetable A is always transferred between the rotating bodies 24 and 25, the fruit and vegetable A is moved by the steps of the rotating bodies 24 and 25 as in the first embodiment.
Is prevented, and the large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 can be surely turned over. Further, a plurality of (for example, two, three, etc.) rotating bodies 25 may be arranged between the rotating bodies 24, 24 arranged on the adjacent side of each set.

FIG. 13 shows a conical part 24a, 24a obtained by dividing the rotating body 24 into left and right parts, and bearings opposed to each other.
FIG. 4 shows a sorting conveyor 4 of a fourth embodiment in which conical portions 25a, 25a formed by splitting left and right are opposed to each other and bearings.
The conical portions 24a and 24a of the rotating body 24 are rotated by the rotating machine 6 of the embodiment.
Since the conical portions 25a of the rotating body 4a and the rotating body 25 rotate in the same direction, the large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24, 25 can be surely turned upside down. Similarly to the above, the operation of inspecting and sorting the fruit and vegetables A can be performed accurately. Further, the conical portions 24a, 24a of the rotating body 24 formed in a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape and the rotating body 2
The conical portions 25a, 25a may be inclined in a V-shape for bearing, and the fruit product A can be turned upside down as described above. Furthermore, the conical portions 24a, 24 of the rotating body 24
a and the conical portions 25a of the rotating body 25 are independently rotated in opposite directions, so that the fruit and vegetable A can be horizontally rotated, and the work of inspecting the entire peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetable A can be reliably performed. . In addition, the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are provided so that expansion and contraction can be adjusted according to the size of the fruit and vegetable product A.

FIG. 14 shows a sorting conveyor 6 according to a fifth embodiment in which conical rotating bodies 24 and 25 are arranged opposite to each other on an endless belt 18 stretched left and right, and a rotating machine according to the first embodiment. 6, the left and right rotating bodies 24 and 25 are rotated in the same direction or opposite directions, and the large / medium / small fruit vegetable A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 is turned upside down or horizontally rotated.
As in the embodiment, the operation of inspecting and sorting the fruits and vegetables A can be performed accurately. And the left and right lifting members 36 ...
The fruit and vegetable A is discharged downward along the direction, so that the release position and the release posture of the fruit and vegetable A can be regulated, and the discharging operation can be performed accurately. In addition, since the release rate of the fruit and vegetable A is suppressed, the commercial value of the fruit and vegetable A can be prevented from being impaired, and the invention is applied to the operation of sorting fruit and vegetable A of a size that can be released. Can be.

FIG. 15 shows an endless belt 18, 1 stretched left and right.
8 shows a sorting conveyor 4 according to a sixth embodiment in which rotating bodies 24 and 25 are alternately provided one by one in the feed direction, and the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are rotated by the rotating machine 6 of the first embodiment. Then, since the large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are turned upside down, the entire peripheral surface of the fruit vegetables A can be reliably inspected as in the first embodiment. The class of fruit and vegetable A can be determined accurately. In addition, when sorting the fruits and vegetables A placed between the rotating bodies 24 and 25 according to the grade, the rotating bodies 24 and 25 are determined based on the determination by the grade inspection apparatus 5.
The large, medium and small fruit vegetables A placed between them are moved in the release direction by a release means (not shown) such as a clamping arm, a suction pad, a pusher, or the like, and are distributed to the sorting conveyors b to f. 7 and the fruit and vegetable A are discharged to the collecting conveyor 8 disposed in the sorting section g. In addition, the above-mentioned fourth,
The rotating bodies 24 and 25 of the fifth and sixth embodiments may be arranged in the state shown in FIGS.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the article of the present invention corresponds to the fruit and vegetable product A of the embodiment.
And the conveying means corresponds to the endless belt 18, and the rotating means corresponds to the rotating machine 6, the rotation applying belts 56 and 57, and the rotation applying pads 60 and 61. It is not limited only to the configuration.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation of inspecting and sorting fruit and vegetables A has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the operation of inspecting and sorting ball games such as tennis, soccer, baseball, and table tennis. The application is not limited only to the fruit and vegetable product A of the example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a fruit and vegetable 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 plan view showing a state in which fruit and vegetables are transported.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a mounted state of the large and small rotating bodies.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a mounted state of the large and small rotating bodies.

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a state in which the lifting member is retracted.

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a state in which the rotating body and the lifting member are swung to a release posture.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of an imaging camera included in the class inspection apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a press-contact state of a rotation imparting belt constituting the rotating machine.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a pressed state of the rotation applying pad.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a sorting conveyor according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a sorting conveyor according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a sorting conveyor according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a sorting conveyor according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a sorting conveyor according to a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Fruits and vegetables 1 ... Fruits and vegetables sorting device 2 ... Conveyor for dispersion 3 ... Conveyor for sorting 4 ... Conveyor for sorting 5 ... Classification inspection device 6 ... Rotating machine 7 ... Conveyor for distribution 8 ... Conveyor for collection 18 ... Endless belt 24 , 25 ... Rotating bodies 24a, 25a ... Conical part 36 ... Lifting member 43-48 ... Imaging camera 51 ... Device body 55 ... Sorter 56, 57 ... Rotation imparting belt 60, 61 ... Rotation imparting pad

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of rotating bodies having the same outer diameter are erected at right angles to a feeding direction on a conveying surface of a conveying means provided on a conveying path, and each of the rotating bodies is placed between the respective rotating bodies. An article transport device in which the front and rear rotating members are arranged eccentrically so as to be vertically different from each other by an arbitrary number with respect to the feeding direction, while being arranged in the feeding direction at an interval in which the components are placed. 2. A plurality of rotating bodies having the same outer diameter are installed orthogonally to a feed direction on a transport side edge of an endless belt installed on a side of a transport path. An article transporting apparatus in which articles are arranged in a feed direction at intervals of an article placed therebetween, and each of the front and rear rotating bodies is eccentrically arranged so as to be vertically different by an arbitrary number in the feed direction. 3. The article conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of rotating bodies are arranged eccentrically downward with respect to each of the preceding and following rotating bodies arranged at every arbitrary number. 4. A plurality of sets of the arbitrary number of rotating bodies are arranged as one set, and an arbitrary number of rotating bodies are arranged eccentrically downward with respect to each of the preceding and following rotating bodies arranged on the adjacent side of each set. The article transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 5. An article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating means on said conveying path for rotating upper and lower rotating bodies on which said articles are placed in a direction in which said articles are changed in direction. . 6. The rotating means provided to rotate the lower rotating body faster than the upper rotating body.
An article conveying device as described in the above.