JPS58143876A - Automatic selector for fruit, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic sorting device for sorting a plurality of fruits and the like.

A conventional automatic sorting device of this type has a plurality of self-straining sections arranged along a conveyor, and a weighing device 9 is attached to each of the classifying sections.
A sorting device and a receiving box are installed, and each time a cup containing fruits, etc. passes through the sorting section, the load is measured with a weighing device.
If the weight of the fruit, etc. is lighter than the set weight of the weighing device, it is sorted and passed through, and if it is heavy, the sorting device is operated and the cup is tilted to drop the fruit from the top of the cup and stored in the receiving box. It was composed of

However, such conventional automatic sorting equipment requires weighing devices equal to the number of classification sections, making the equipment larger and heavier and increasing equipment costs [7. The adjustment work is very troublesome because the adjustment is made for each of a large number of weighing devices, and furthermore, the measurement ability is only about /Sθθ in 7 minutes, for example. There was a problem that it was not suitable for automatic sorting equipment with a conveyor).

Therefore, the present invention provides an automatic sorting device for fruits, etc. that can perform sorting operations on multiple grading lines at high speed and extremely efficiently. A control device, a receiver for inputting data regarding the objects to be sorted, an external processing device for outputting classification data used in the line control device and processing input data, and this external processing device. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a communication control device that mediates data exchange between the line control device and the cargo receiver.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1(a) and 1(b) are external views of an automatic sorting device for fruit sorting to which the present invention is applied, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic sorting device. In FIG. 1(a), 1a to 1d are conveyors provided for each grade or in rows.
Each dffi is a so-called cup conveyor, and the fruit (
A large number of cups on which objects to be measured (objects to be measured) are placed are supported by a chain and run sequentially in the direction of arrow Y. Reference numeral 2 denotes a weight detection unit, which, as shown in FIG. 1, is composed of nine weight detectors 2a to 2d. These weight detectors 2a to 2d are both constituted by load cells, and are provided at the lower portions of the conveyors 18 to 1d, respectively. The weight of each cup on the conveyors 1a to 1d is detected each time the cup passes, and the detection result is used as a signal for the second cup.
The signals are output to line control devices 3a to 3d shown in the figure.

4, 4... and 5, 5 in Figure 7 (a)
. . . are receiving boxes for receiving the fruits placed in the cups of the conveyors 1a and 1d, respectively.In addition, there are receiving boxes 4.4 on each traveling path of the conveyors la and ld.
. . . , 5.5 . . . A classification device (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to When this solenoid is driven, the cup is tilted at a certain angle, and the fruit on the cup is discharged into the corresponding receiving box 4 or 5. In addition, the receiving boxes for receiving fruit from conveyors lb and lc are receiving boxes 4, 4... and 5.5...
... is provided ahead of the conveyor traveling direction, and the above-mentioned conveyor
Similar to cases a and ld, a classification device is provided at a position corresponding to each receiving box. That is, conveyor lb
.

The length of 1c is longer than the length of conveyors la and ld.

Reference numeral 6 in FIG. 1(a) is a line control unit in which the line control devices 3a to 3d and communication control device 7 shown in FIG. 1 are housed, and 8 is a cargo receiver.

Based on the output of the weight detector 2a provided on the conveyor 1&, the line control device 3a controls the solenoids 10a, 10a, .
... (Fig. 1), and has the following functions.

(2) A function of converting the weight signal supplied from the quantity detector 2a into digital data (2) A function of writing the weight (digital data) of each cup (empty cup) on the conveyor 1a into the internal memory. Note that this function is always available even during fruit sorting, and therefore the weight of each empty cup is constantly updated.

■ A function to calculate the true weight of the fruit by subtracting the weight of the empty cup stored in the memory from the weight of the cup in which the fruit is placed.

■ A mechanism for detecting which of the weight classes determined by preset weight data the weight of the fruit obtained by the function of Q) belongs to, for example, λθθ
1. /gθf, //)θ2. /G θ name 7.2 If weight data corresponding to θ2 is set, the line control device 3a detects which of the following classes the weight of the fruit belongs to (.

7th grade 2θθV 2nd grade 7992~/gO? 3rd grade 7799~/:6θt 9th grade /! ;9f~/lθ2 3rd grade 7399~/2θV ■ A function to detect the receiving box in which the fruit should be stored based on the grade detected by the function of ■ and the preset gate data and classification code.

Here, the gate data is data that determines in which receiving box 3 fruits belonging to each grade are to be stored. Now, if the total number of receiving boxes 3 is , this gate data allows, for example, /class → 1st class. Beta receiving box! Grade → No. 3. The storage location is determined as follows: 3rd class Uke box -> J, 2nd Uke box, 5th class - 7th Uke box - 10th Uke box.

The classification code is a code that determines the order in which fruits are stored in each receiving box when there are multiple receiving boxes corresponding to the seven classes.In this example, the classification code [/ -1 → Alternate classification Classification code r, 2-j → Number switching classification Classification code "3" → Weight switching classification ○ Here, alternate classification is a method of storing fruits alternately in two receiving boxes. , Number switching classification is a method of storing fruits in the next receiving box when the total number of fruits stored in the seven receiving boxes reaches a set value, and
Weight switching classification is a method in which when the total weight of fruit stored in seven receiving boxes reaches a set value, the fruit is stored in the next receiving box.

■ Function to drive the solenoid 10a of the classifier corresponding to the receiving box detected by ■, and store the fruit in the receiving box.

That is, this line control device 3a counts the output pulses of a pulse generator (not shown) that outputs a pulse every time the conveyor 1a travels a certain distance, and constantly detects the position of the fruit on the weight detector L, When the fruit reaches the position of the classification device corresponding to the receiving box where it is to be stored, the solenoid 10a of the classification device is driven to store the fruit in the receiving box. ■ Number of fruits classified into each class. and a function of accumulating the number of pieces per grade and outputting the accumulation results as number accumulation data and weight accumulation data every time a request is received from the external processing device 12.

■ Function to calibrate the weight detector 2a.

The above are the functions of the line control device 3a. In addition, the solenoids IQb and 10c of the valley sorting devices of the line control devices i3b to 3dC and the conveyors 1b to 1d, respectively.

10d, and its function is exactly the same as that of the line control device s+t 3 a I7) described above.

In addition, in the following explanation, the above-mentioned multiple number y' −
The data, gate data, and classification code are collectively referred to as classification data [7, and the cumulative number data and cumulative weight data are collectively referred to as sorting data. It consists of a device, a numeric keypad, operation switches, etc., and has the following two functions.

(1) Various data (hereinafter referred to as measured object data) necessary for a fruit sorting operator to create a slip, such as "producer code", (~number of containers), and "date of receipt."

1- Function as an input device for inputting "product name code" etc.

(11) Function as a control device that controls each line control device 3a to 3d off-line when the external processing device 12 described later cannot be used due to a failure or the like.

In this case, the classification data used in each line control device 3a to 3d is input from this cargo receiver 8J'1.
1. Measurement of empty cup weight in each line control device ji3a to ji3d, calibration of weight detectors 2a to 2d, etc. are also instructed from this receiver 8. Note that various switches used when the cargo receiver 8 is used as a control device are provided with covers to prevent erroneous operation.

This receiver can be operated interactively by the fruit sorter, and it also has a display that notifies the fruit sorter of input errors.1 Instructs the fruit sorter to start fruit sorting. There are also lamps to display the fruit sorting process, and a fruit sorting end button to press when the fruit sorting process is complete.

The communication control device 7 is connected to the external processing device 12. The receiver 8 is used to mediate data exchange between the line control devices 3a to 3d, and after once storing the object data output from the receiver 8, it is transferred to the central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) of the external processing device 12.
(abbreviated as )13 according to the processing timing.
13, and the classification data output from the CPU 1.3 is once stored in the memory 1.
7, and each line control device 3a to 3d.
After temporarily storing the sorting data output from CPU1
It is output to the CPU 13 in accordance with the processing timing of step 3. In addition, when the cargo receiver 8 is used as a control device,
After the classification data outputted from the cargo receiver 8 is once stored, it is outputted to the line control devices 3a to 3d, respectively.

Next, the external processing device 12 will be explained. This external processing device 12 includes conveyors 1a to 12 as shown in FIG.
It is provided in a separate room from the line control unit 6 and the like, and is connected to the line control unit 6 by a cable (path shown). In FIGS. 1(B) and 2, the keyboard 15 is used by the operator to input the classification data mentioned above and also provides various work instructions to the CPU 13, and has work selection buttons 9, a display, a numeric keypad, etc. The output is supplied to the CPU 13.

The CPU 3 performs aggregation processing of the sorted data supplied via the communication control device 7, and also has a keyboard 15.
A minicomputer is used to control each part of the device based on work instructions supplied from the machine. The printer 16 is for issuing slips.

A cathode ray tube display device (hereinafter abbreviated as CRT) 17 displays classification data input from a keyboard 15, and a CPU
Display of screening data supplied to 13 or CPUI
It is used for displaying the aggregated results in 3. In addition, the tape puncher 18 is configured to collect the results of the aggregation of the sorting data in the CPU 13 and the object data (
The paper tape is used to punch holes (producer code, etc.) into a paper tape, and the punched paper tape is used for tabulation work by a higher-level computer.

Next, the operation of the automatic weight sorting device described above will be explained.

First, the operator of this automatic weight sorting device turns on the power to each part of the device, and then uses the keyboard 15 to select the weight detector 2a.
Instruct ~2d calibration and empty cup weight measurement. As a result, the weight detectors 2a to 2d are calibrated in the line control devices 3a to 3d, respectively, and then the conveyor 1
The weight of each empty cup from a to 1d is controlled by the line controllers 38 to 3d.
written to memory within. Next, the operator inputs classification data to be set in each of the line control devices 3a to 3d using the keyboard 15. The input classification data is
After being temporarily stored in the memory in the CPUI a, the data is supplied to the line control devices 3a to 3d via the communication control device 7 17, and thereby the classification data is set to each of the line control devices 3a to 3dK. This is the process before starting fruit sorting work. When the above processing is completed, the CPU 13 outputs a fruit sorting start command to the cargo receiver 8 via the communication control device 7. As a result, the display lamp provided on the cargo receiver 8 lights up, and the fruit sorting operator is instructed to start fruit sorting. The fruit sorting worker starts the fruit sorting work according to these instructions. In other words, the fruit is taken out one by one from the container brought in, visually determines the quality grade 7, and placed in the cups on conveyors 1a to 1d corresponding to that grade. The fruits taken out are placed one after another. Thereafter, the weight of the fruit on the cup is measured by the weight detectors 2a to 2d and the line controllers 3a to 3d.
According to the detected weight, the solenoids 10a, 10b, etc. are driven, and the fruits on the cup are sorted into the receiving boxes 4.5, etc.

On the other hand, each time the line control devices 3a to 3d receive the sorting data request command periodically issued by the CPU 13 of the external processing device 12, the line control devices 3a to 3d respectively transmit the aforementioned sorting data (i.e., number cumulative data and weight i: cumulative data). It is supplied to the CPU 13 via the communication control device [7]. The CPU 13 writes the supplied selection data to the internal memory, and also writes the supplied selection data to the CRT 17.
to be displayed.

Then, the fruit sorting worker inputs the data of the object to be measured (producer code, etc.) sequentially using the receiver 8 until the first fruit sorting operation is completed, and after completing this input, waits for the fruit sorting 12 to end. , press the reload button. 7'L input by receiver 8
The measured object data is sent to the CPU 13 via the communication control device @7.
and stored in the memory within the CPU 13. Next, when the load change button is pressed, a display provided on the load receiver 8 lights up 1, instructing the operator to complete the load change. At the same time, this instruction is supplied to the CPU 13, and the CPU 13 aggregates the selection data stored in the internal memory, and uses the tape puncher 18 to create a perforated tape.

The above is the fruit sorting work by the first fruit sorting operator and the process of processing the sorting data. Thereafter, fruit sorting work and data processing by the U-th, third, etc. fruit sorting operators are performed in the same manner. Then, when all the fruit sorting work on the 7th is completed, all the data for that day will be tallied by pressing the selection completion button on the cargo receiver 8.5.The daily total data will be printed. In the embodiment, if the classification data of the 3'fi class is stored in the memory in the CPU 13 in advance, the selection of varieties with different classification weights (apples, pears, persimmons, etc.) can be handled immediately by operating the keyboard 15. It becomes possible to do so. Further, the cargo receiver 8 may be provided with a display that indicates the occurrence of trouble during data input or fruit sorting work. Further, in the above embodiment, there are seven cargo receivers 8 and L2, and the conveyors 1a to 1d are arranged in a row. However, for example, the conveyors may be arranged in a row and one cargo receiver may be provided. Of course, it is also possible to further increase the number of conveyors and receivers. Further, instead of the weight detector, a detector for detecting the color, shape, etc. of the fruit may be provided.

As explained above, according to the present invention, there is a line control device provided corresponding to each conveyor, a receiving device for inputting data regarding the objects to be sorted, and a sorting device used in the lie/control device. Since we provided an external processing device that outputs data and processes input data, and a communication control device that mediates data exchange between this external processing device and the line control device and cargo receiver, multiple The sorting operation of the object to be measured on each of the conveyors is expressed as (1
7) Can be performed at high speed and extremely efficiently.

In addition, we have installed a communication control device and communicated with the external processing device via this communication control device, which provides excellent operability even when the external processing device is installed in a separate room. It also has the advantage of being less susceptible to the effects of

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are external views of an automatic sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic sorting device. 1a-1d... Conveyor, 2a-2d...
...Weight detector, 3a-3d...Line control device, 4, 5...Receiving box, 7...Communication control device, 8...Consignment receiving Vessel, 12...
External processing equipment. Applicant Shinko Koki Co., Ltd. Iseki Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Masaru Shiga Taketsu (]8) Figure 1 Figure 2 6 --5OL10a ° Medium weight line, 1
0a rod i volume Yanagawa l;: SQL 10a 2 a' 3 a. SQL 10b 1 Lie - 58゜s'L'' Juntenbyou: : SQL l0b 2b °゛b SoL 10c ■ tl I/2 "1-piece medium 3F length-placement:
:SQL 10c C3C ・-e,, SQL IQd Wait line 14 ? lI Hama P school i:ii
' 1: SQL IQd d3d No. 81 Screen S'' special device, 12 ■ ≠ 1 ''1'' trouble (CPU) 13394-

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of conveyors for conveying objects to be sorted, a plurality of detectors provided on each of the travel paths of these conveyors, and a plurality of detectors each provided on each of the conveyor travel paths behind each detector. a receiving box provided correspondingly to each of these classifying devices, and a receiving box provided correspondingly to each of the transport conveyors, and a receiving box provided corresponding to each of the classifying devices, and a receiving box provided corresponding to each of the conveyors, a line control device for sorting objects and outputting the sorting results as sorting data and driving the sorting device based on the sorting results; a receiver for inputting data regarding the objects to be sorted; and data regarding the sorting. an external processing device that outputs the sorting data and processes the inputted sorting data and data related to the objects to be sorted, and supplies the sorting data outputted from each of the line control devices to the external processing device; a communication control device that outputs data related to the classification outputted from the external processing device to each of the line control devices, and supplies data related to the objects to be sorted outputted from the cargo receiver to the external processing device; Equipped with an automatic sorting device for fruits, etc. (2) The cargo receiver has means for inputting data related to the classification, and the communication control device has means for supplying data related to the classification output from the cargo receiver to each of the line control devices. Claim No. 1
Automatic sorting device for fruits, etc. as described in Section 1. (3) The external processing device has means for instructing a worker to start sorting, and the cargo receiver has means for instructing the external processing device to end sorting. automatic sorting device for fruits, etc.0