WO1986003434A1

WO1986003434A1 - Rice sorting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1986003434A1
Application number: PCT/JP1985/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hukuzi Hayashi
Original assignee: Hukuzi Hayashi
Priority date: 1984-12-08
Filing date: 1985-01-21
Publication date: 1986-06-19
Also published as: JPS61136473A

Abstract

A sorting apparatus for judging the quality of rice grains optically and sorting them mechanically. The apparatus has a tilted surface in which are formed a plurality of lines constituting the passages for rows of rice grains. The rice grains and the background are illuminated by a light source. The output from an optical sensor, responsive to the light from the background and the rice grains, is suitably processed and delivered to a solenoid which in turn actuates a rebounding member which is constructed to maintain a steady position by the action of a spring and a stopper. As a result, the rice grains are directed in different directions and sorted by the action of a partition wall. Since the sorting operation makes use of a rebounding of the rice grains on a rebounding member, the mechanical impact imparted to the rice grains during the sorting can be decreased advantageously. A film of clean air is formed in the exposed portion of the optical system to keep the latter away from dusts. In addition, a circuit for negating the gentle change in the solar battery serving as the optical sensor is incorporated in the electronic circuit, thereby ensuring a high sorting precision. In addition, the major parts of the sorting apparatus can be taken out as an assembly. A conveyor belt is provided for the purpose of taking out the sorted rice grains. This sorting apparatus can be arranged in a plurality of stages so that a large quantity of rice particles can be processed. The apparatus is suited to use in various industries which deals with rice, e.g., brewing industry, rice refining industry and so forth.

Description

Specification

Rice sorting equipment

Technical field

The present invention relates to an improvement in a device for optically discriminating and sorting rice. Lines of rice are formed on the slope to form multiple rows of rice, which process the electrical signals from the photosensors, pass them to the solenoid, and attach springs and studs to the stationary position. This is a rice sorting device that changes the direction of rice movement by moving a repulsion piece that is configured to provide a partition plate to sort rice.

Background technology

And a sorting device of conventional grains like, using a falling trough there is to select I by the air injection (Japanese Kokoku 41 one 16031, Japanese Patent Publication 54-28336, Japanese Kokoku 59-25627) ₀ In addition, a device that selects abnormal grains with a picking rod without using air injection (Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-106576) is used to detect defective grains that can protrude upward from a large number of linear bodies. A device provided with a projection means (Japanese Utility Model 57-47283), a device which separates and separates an impacting piece by colliding with a foreign object (Japanese Patent Application No. 58-84085), and a discharge port at the bottom of a sorting gutter is shut. A device that can be opened and closed by a monitor (Japanese Utility Model 59-39681) has been proposed. As pointed out in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-113879, a device for sorting by air jet is usually used to blow off different-colored particles by the air stream jetting from the jet nozzle. However, since the tip width of the air bundle that scatters the grains lacks sharpness, the particles that are not targeted are entrained and blown away. There is a disadvantage that the degree decreases. In addition, it is difficult to provide a large number of light detectors and injection nozzles, and the sorting ability and the sorting efficiency are not so good. It has also been pointed out that valves are required, and the equipment is complex, large, and expensive (Nippon Kokai 57-47283).

The present invention has been made in order to solve the drawbacks and problems of the apparatus for sorting by air jet. Ie

(1) To improve the sorting accuracy,

(2) To have a simple configuration,

(3) To reduce the size and increase the sorting efficiency,

(4) Processing and assembly are easy,

(5) Eliminate auxiliary equipment such as compressors.

In addition,

(6) To reduce the impact on rice,

(7) The adjustment does not take much effort,

(8) The performance does not change even after long use,

The purpose is to provide a sorting device that is easy to handle.

Disclosure of the invention

When sorting rice, instead of using a downflow gutter and sorting by air injection, a line is provided on the slope to create multiple rice passages 31 and discriminate one rice grain at a time. A repulsion piece 71 configured to be at a steady position by attaching a ring 72 and a stopper 73 is Sorting was performed by moving with node 76.

Since a line is provided on the slope to make the rice passage 31, the rice arrives at the discriminating position 36 in a plurality of rows in parallel. Helps increase accuracy. Rather than shocking and sorting rice, the rice itself uses the property of bouncing, so the impact on rice when sorting is reduced. Since the repulsion piece 71 is moved directly by the solenoid 76, the configuration is simpler than that of a sorting device using air injection, and processing and assembly are easier. Also, ancillary equipment such as a compressor could be eliminated, and it became easy to reduce the size and increase the sorting efficiency.

The solenoid 76 moves the repulsion piece 71 from the steady position, waits for the selected rice to pass, and then uses the ability to return the repulsion piece 71 to the steady position. By taking into account the movement of the rice due to inertia such as 71, the distance between the rice hitting the repellent piece 71 from the discrimination position 36 and the speed of the selected rice are appropriately set, so that Timing adjustments are not required. Since there is no need for a delay circuit or the like for hitting the impact piece with the rice, which is required when sorting by applying a shock to rice, adjustments are not required and the sorting accuracy can be improved.

A clean air film was formed where necessary on the exposed part of the optical system to keep the optical system free of dust. Since there is no dust on the optical system, there is no need to use a cleaning body or blow off with air to clean the optical system. Long-term continuous operation because cleaning is not required The change in performance can be minimized.

A circuit for canceling the gradual change in the output of the light sensor was incorporated into the electronic circuit. This is due to changes in temperature due to seasons and time, changes in the temperature inside the sorting device, changes in the amount of light emitted by the light source due to fluctuations in the power supply voltage, and dirt and changes over time of the light bulbs and lenses, which are output by the light sensor. It helps to cancel the gradual change in the electrical signal and maintain good sorting accuracy.

Brief explanation of drawings

FIG. 1 is an arbitrary sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a part of an electronic circuit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the flow of rice! I will tell you. The rice sent to the hopper 11 is sent to the vibrating grain gutter 21 and supplied to the rice passage 31. The rice in a plurality of rows in the rice passage 31 passes through the discrimination position 36, and when it hits the repulsion piece 71, it bounces and changes its traveling direction. If the rebound piece 71 is moved by the solenoid 76 so that the rice does not hit the repulsion piece 71, the rice goes almost straight. The rice is separated by the partitioning plate 81 according to the traveling direction of the rice, falls on the belt conveyor 86, and is sent out of the sorting device. The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an embodiment of the present invention. The position of the cross section is arbitrarily drawn for easy explanation.

The equipment for supplying rice is called hopper 11 and vibrating gutter 21. Rice When supplying rice to the passage 31 of the rice, the rice sent by the belt conveyor or the rice flowing out of the outlet of the hopper may be supplied directly to the passage 31 of the rice.

A shutter 12 is attached to the outlet of the hopper 11 so that it can be opened and closed and fixed using a screw mechanism 13 or a spring. The tip of the shutter 12 is provided so that when the shutter 12 is opened, it comes close to the vibrating grain gutter 21 and the rice accumulated in the vibrating grain gutter 21 is made uniform in the horizontal direction. Equalize the amount of rice supplied to rice passage 31.

A pressure receiver 14 is provided inside the hopper 11 to reduce the pressure of rice accumulated in the hopper 11 from being directly applied to the vibration transmission gutter 21. Also, when the first rice is sent from the outside to the hopper 11 with the shutter 12 opened, the rice is accelerated by gravity, and the rice hit the vibrating grain gutter 21. This prevents the water from bouncing and scattering into the sorting device.

In order to detect the amount of rice accumulated inside the hopper 11, one or more photoelectric sensors 15 are installed as a detecting device. An electromagnetic switch or the like is operated based on the detected signal so that a control signal for controlling the amount of rice sent to the hopper 11 can be output. An indicator light that flashes according to the control signal is attached to the operation surface of the machine frame 99 so that the state inside the hopper 11 or the state of control can be observed.

A vibrating feed gutter 21 is provided with a solenoid 22 as a vibration source. Solenoid 22, diode and variable resistor connected in series to commercial power supply Connect what is connected to. Attach a variable resistor to the operation surface of the machine frame 99 to adjust the vibration intensity of the vibrating gutter 21. Alternatively, the intensity of vibration of the vibrating feed gutter 21 can be adjusted using a voltage regulator.

A vibrating iron strip 23 is attached to the vibrating feed gutter 21 near the solenoid 22. By extending the tip of the vibrating iron piece 23 between the iron frame 24 on which the solenoid 22 is mounted and the solenoid 22, a portion where the iron frame 24 and the vibrating iron piece 23 are almost parallel is provided. However, even when the vibrating iron piece 23 separates from the iron core 25 of the solenoid 22, the magnetic force applied to the vibrating iron piece 23 increases, and the vibration intensity of the vibration transmission gutter 21 can be easily adjusted.

In the portion where the rice is supplied from the hopper 11 in the vibrating grain gutter 21, that is, the range in which the rice pile on the vibrating grain gutter 21 collapses and becomes a hem, the rice rolls with the vibration stopped. Slightly incline so that the exit of the gutter is lowered so that it does not move by slipping. This makes it possible to quickly send out the rice remaining in the vibrating grain gutter 21 and to supply the rice supplied to the rice passage 31 when the vibration of the vibrating grain gutter 21 is stopped. Stops.

The outlet of the gutter 21 is slightly inclined so as to lower the outlet of the gutter. This means that when the rice on the vibrating transmission gutter 21 vibrates and the ridge of the rice mountain becomes longer and reaches the outlet of the gutter 21, the bottom of the rice mountain breaks off at the outlet of the gutter 21, Helps prevent more than one piece of rice from being fed into rice passage 31 at the same time. In other words, when the rice sent by vibration reaches the slightly inclined part, the speed gradually increases, and the rice does not grow up. If the outlet of the slightly inclined gutter 21 is corrugated in accordance with the rice passage 31, the rice gradually becomes in a row, and the rice is supplied side by side to the rice passage 31 at the same time. And help prevent. As a result, when the rice is accelerated in the rice passage 31 and reaches the discrimination position 36, the distance between the rice is widened and the rice is almost equal, so that it is easy to sort.

The rice passage 31 is provided with streaks on the slope 32 so that multiple rows of rice can be formed. In the rice passage 31, the rice is lined up in a row at the bottom of the slope 32 so that it is easy to optically discriminate one rice grain at the discrimination position 36.

A light source 41, a background 46, a lens 51, and a photodetector 56 are arranged around a discrimination position 36 in order to optically discriminate rice by transparency. When the rice passes through the discrimination position 36, the selected rice and the member 46 serving as the background of the rice are illuminated by the light source 41, and the amount of light transmitted by the selected rice is transmitted to the lens 51 together with the brightness of the background 46. The light is condensed and received by the light detector 56 and converted into an electric signal.

A photovoltaic cell can be used as the light detector 56.

A slit 57 is attached to the light detector 56. The position where the slit 57 is set is the position of the real image formed by the lens 51 of the selected rice at the discrimination position 36 or a position close to the position. By providing the slit 57, the transparency of each portion of the selected rice passing through the discrimination position 36 can be detected by the photodetector 56 as if the respective portions were cut into a slice. .

The brightness of the member 46 that is the background of rice at the discrimination position 36 is abnormal rice For example, the amount of light transmitted through the illuminated light source 41 or that of normal rice, for example, rice flour, is illuminated and transmitted by the light source 41. However, the amount of light transmitted by the rice rarely coincides completely with the brightness of the background 46 while one grain passes through the discrimination position 36. Utilizing this fact, the amount of rice supplied to the discrimination position 36 per unit time (processed amount) is detected by an electric signal from the light sensor 56 or by another method. A device that displays the detected processing amount is attached to the operation surface of the machine frame 99, and is used as a reference when operating a device that adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibrating gutter 21. I do.

When the vibrating transmission gutter 21 is vibrated with the same power due to the type of rice, for example, brown rice or milled rice or scrap rice, the amount of rice supplied to the rice passage 31 (processing amount) changes. When adjusting the throughput of rice on the operation surface of the machine frame 99, if the scale of the device that adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibrating grain gutter 21 is set to the same position, it is affected by the type of rice. Instead, it is desirable that the same amount of rice be processed. For this purpose, a device that detects the amount of rice processed, converts the electric signal into a frequency-to-voltage signal, and adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibration transmission gutter 21 attached to the operation surface of the machine frame 99 (in this case, The reference voltage set by the controller is controlled by a servo mechanism based on the difference voltage, and the voltage supplied to the vibration source of the vibrating gutter 21 is automatically adjusted. Fine-tuning.

If the light source 41 has an abnormality, such as a break in the filament of a light bulb used as the light source 41, a change in current or light intensity causes the light source 41 to fail. Abnormality of rice is detected, and the vibration of the vibrating grain gutter 21 is stopped to stop the supply of rice. In addition, an indication that the light source 41 has an abnormality is displayed on the operation surface of the machine frame 99 by an indicator lamp.

It takes time for the light source 41 and the electronic circuit 61 to stabilize at the beginning of startup. If rice is supplied before the light source 41 and the electronic circuit 61 are stabilized, the sorting device cannot sort rice normally. Therefore, the start-up of the equipment that supplies rice in the early stage of the start-up by using a timed operation contact, etc. should be delayed.

Using a tube-shaped semi-light bulb 41 (for example, Metro T1160-AL) as the light source 41, a part of the silver reflective surface 46 applied on the inside of the tube-shaped semi-light bulb 41 is determined at the discrimination position 36. Used as a background material for rice46.

When the mounting position of the tubular semi-light bulb 41 is moved, the brightness of the rice background 46 changes when the discrimination position 36 is viewed from the direction of the lens 51. By utilizing the function of the slit 57 attached to the light sensor 56, the discrimination position 36 can be adjusted to the appropriate brightness portion of the rice background 46.

At the discrimination position 36, the brightness of the rice background 46 is set to be substantially the same as the amount of light transmitted by the abnormal rice illuminated by the light source 41. In this way, the photodetector 56 detects the amount of light transmitted by the normal rice and outputs a large electric signal, which makes it easy to select normal rice from abnormal rice.

At the discriminating position 36, the brightness of the rice background 46 is set to be substantially the same as the amount of light transmitted by the normal rice illuminated by the light source 41. This Then, the light sensor 56 detects the amount of light transmitted by the abnormal rice and outputs a large electric signal in the opposite direction, so that it is easy to select abnormal rice from normal rice.

The dust collector 91 is mounted inside the machine frame 99 to keep dust out of the optical system.

The rebounding piece 71 changes the direction of travel of the rice, and when the rice falls on the belt conveyor 86, the rice flutters, so a lot of dust comes out around the repelling piece 71. The suction port 92 of the dust collecting device 91 is installed near the repelling piece 71, and the dust B standing up is sucked.

The dust collecting device 91 is provided with a single or double or more filter media 93 and a blower 94 to make clean air A.

Clean air A is blown onto the surface of the optical system, such as the part exposed to the lens 51 side of the tube-shaped semi-light bulb 41 and the lens 51, so that a clean air film is formed. When clean air is injected toward the surface of the optical system with an air injection nozzle, dust-containing air is drawn in around the clean air, creating a part where the dust is knocked on the surface of the optical system. However, dust accumulates on that part and dirt remains, which is a problem. There, the outlet of the clean air A is elongated to form a film of clean air, so that dust-containing air is not sucked into one side of the part where dust-containing air is supposed to be sucked. I do. That is, a sheet 97 is provided between the tube-shaped semi-light bulb 41 and the clean air film so that air containing dust does not enter. In addition, a film of clean air blown on the lens 51 has a lens on one side. Seal with a box 52 or the like so that dusty air does not enter between the clean air film and the lens 51. When clean air is sent to the lens box 52 through the air holes 95 and the pressure inside the lens box 52 is increased, dust does not enter the lens box 52.

If the lower part of the partition plate 81 is formed as a mountain-shaped cavity 96 and is connected to the dust collecting device 91 by a hose, and a suction port 92 is provided near the repelling piece, the structure of the sorting device becomes simple and easy to handle.

The electronic circuit 61 incorporates a circuit 62 for canceling a gradual change in the output of the light sensor 56 due to a change in the temperature characteristic of the light sensor 56 itself or a change in the amount of light emitted from the light source 41. FIG. 2 shows a circuit 62 for canceling a gradual change in the output of the solar cell 56.

The circuit 62 is the same as the two input terminals of the differential amplifier circuit using the op amp 63 (equalizing the ratio of the resistance value of the resistor 64 and the resistance 65 and the ratio of the resistance value of the resistor 66 and the resistance 67). An electrical signal is input, and a capacitor 68 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the op-amp 63. The output voltage of this circuit 62 always tries to maintain the ground level. However, by connecting the capacitor 68, only the sudden change of the input signal is inverted and amplified and output. Become. When the solar cell 56 is used as the light detector, the offset can be adjusted by making the resistance of the resistor 67 of the circuit 62 variable.

The electronic circuit 61 amplifies the electrical signal obtained by the photodetector 56 appropriately and compares it with a comparison signal to produce normal rice. A signal for determining abnormal rice is obtained and passed through a monostable multivibrator capable of retrigger operation. This signal is amplified in power and passed to the solenoid 76.

The repulsion pieces 71 are provided so that the rice that slides down the rice passage 31 in a row and passes through the discrimination position 36 can be moved in connection with the solenoid 76. A spring 72 and a stopper 73 are attached to the repelling piece 71 so that a steady position is determined. The solenoids 76 were arranged in a zigzag and mechanically connected to the repelling pieces 71 using connecting rods. However, the solenoids 76 were placed near the repelling pieces 71 and magnetically connected. Thus, the part to be abraded can be reduced.

When the rice that has slipped down the rice passage 31 hits the repellent piece 71, it bounces. The direction of movement of the rice after the bounce is restricted by the angle at which the repulsion pieces 71 are set. For this purpose, a rebound piece 71 is installed at a position facing the rice passage 31 to avoid unnecessary movement of rice. When the repelling piece 71 is moved by the connected solenoid 76 so that the rice does not hit the repelling piece 71, the rice moves almost straight. A partition plate 81 is provided at an appropriate position so that normal rice and abnormal rice are separated according to the direction of rice movement.

The main part of a sorting device consisting of a rice passage 31, a science system, a light sensor 56, an electronic circuit 61, a repulsive piece 71, a solenoid 76, etc. is taken as one body and taken out of the machine frame 99. To be able to This facilitates the assembly and adjustment of the main parts.

The passage 31 of the rice, the discriminating position 36 and the mounting position of the Since they are related to each other in selecting rice, it is desirable that they can be adjusted. These are built into the main part of the sorting device and allow the mounting part to be adjusted with some looseness.

Since the traveling direction of the rice to be sorted is determined by the mounting position of the rice passage 31 and the repulsion pieces 71, the installation position of the partition plate 81 for separating rice is adjusted and fixed to a position where the sorting accuracy is the best. O

The repulsion piece 71 is moved by passing an electric signal for sorting through the solenoid 76, and a display device ′ illuminated by the same electric signal is mounted on the operation surface of the machine frame 99. This makes it easy to check the operating state of the solenoid 76 and the repulsion piece 71. It can also be used as a reference when adjusting rice throughput.

When sending the separated rice to the outside of the sorting device, inclined rice gutters may be used to allow the rice to flow naturally. However, this method makes it difficult to collect rice outlets when a plurality of the main parts are mounted in parallel in the machine frame 99. Therefore, a belt conveyor 86 is installed, and a rice exit is provided on the side of the machine frame 99 so that the sorted rice can come out in a batch. A scart 87 is provided to prevent the rice from scattering inside the machine frame 99 and to collect the rice on the belt conveyor 86. The bottom of the scart 87 is covered with a polyester-treated sheet 88 to prevent rice from spilling over the belt conveyor 86.

Roller 89 and gear 1 that drive the belt of the velorette conveyor 86 Motor 90 directly. This eliminates the need to use the Hi-V belt and makes it safer to handle. A heat-generating device such as a DC power supply is installed on the upper part 98 of the sorting device frame 99, and the external devices are sucked by an axial fan to cool those heat-generating devices. The inhaled outside air C is guided to the inside of the almost sealed air separator, and the air inside the air separator is ventilated. The inhaled outside air C is discharged from the rice outlet of the sorting device. At that time, a part of the air circulating in the sorting device is replaced by the dust collecting device 91, and the belt conveyor is replaced. Standing near 86 · 'Dust is discharged.

In case of inconvenience because dust is generated from the rice outlet of another device, it is recommended to install a separate dust collecting device and attach the suction port near the rice outlet.

A wire mesh is attached to the exit of rice to prevent mice from entering the inside of the machine frame 99. -By configuring the main part of the sorting device in multiple stages, it is possible to increase the throughput of rice in the entire sorting device, and to reduce the throughput of rice per unit floor area (sorting efficiency). Can be raised. Alternatively, re-sorting can be performed.

Mechanically moving parts such as the spring 72, the stopper 73, the repulsion piece 71, and the movable core of the solenoid 76 and the connecting rod are replaced as a single body because the bearings are worn away. In this way, regular maintenance can be easily performed. When the sorting device is stopped, dust may build up inside the sorting device. It is not unusual for rice to be sorted or rice to remain on the belt conveyor 86. Therefore, the operation of the dust-collecting device 91 and the belt conveyor 86 is stopped later than other devices such as a device that supplies rice by using a time-recovery contact.

By attaching another light source to the lens 51 of the discrimination position 36 on the lens 51 side and detecting the amount of light reflected on the rice surface at the same time as the transmitted light, the blackish spots in the glutinous rice can be detected. One can easily sort out certain rice.

The embodiments described herein may be implemented with some omissions or replacements with others.

Industrial applicability

Compared to the conventional device for sorting rice by air injection, the rice sorting device according to the present invention can increase the accuracy of rice sorting and has a simple configuration, which facilitates processing and assembly. Also, there is no need to install auxiliary equipment such as a compressor and a dust collecting device, so that energy and space can be saved. In addition, the need for adjustment has been reduced, and the performance has not changed over time, making it easier to handle.

The rice sorting apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for use in industries dealing with rice, such as agriculture, brewing, confectionery, and rice mills. It can also be used for equipment that sorts grains other than rice based on optical characteristics.

Claims

6/03434

1. A device that automatically feeds rice, a device that feeds rice, a line of rice that has a plurality of rows with streaks provided on the slope, and a member that serves as a background for rice in the discrimination position. And a light source that illuminates the selected rice and the background, a lens that collects light, a device that keeps the optical system free from dust, a light sensor, and an electrical signal from the light sensor An electronic circuit that converts it into an electrical signal for sorting, a repulsion piece that is attached to a spring and a stopper so as to be in a steady position, and a repulsion piece that is moved by the electrical signal for sorting. And a partition plate for separating the rice whose traveling direction has been changed by the repulsion pieces, and a device for sending the separated rice to the outside of the sorting device. A rice sorting device mounted on a machine frame.

2. The rice sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus for supplying rice is a hopper and a vibrating grain trough.

3. The rice sorting device according to claim 1, wherein a solar cell is used as the light detector.

4. The rice sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a tube-shaped semi-light bulb, and a part inside the bulb is used as a member serving as a background of rice at the discrimination position.

5. To prevent dust from entering the optical system, install a dust collecting device, provide a suction port for the dust collecting device near the repelling piece, and install a single or double or more filtering device in the dust collecting device. A device that forms clean air film on the surface of the optical system by providing materials to make clean air The rice sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the rice is sorted.

6. The rice sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein a circuit for canceling a gradual change in the output of the light sensor is incorporated in the electronic circuit.

7. The main part of the sorting device consisting of the rice passage, optical system, photodetector, electronic circuit, repellent piece, solenoid, etc. was made into a single unit and could be taken out of the machine frame. The rice sorting device according to claim 1.

8. The rice sorting device according to claim 1, wherein a belt conveyor is attached for sending the sorted rice to the outside of the sorting device.

9. A rice sorting device comprising the rice sorting device according to claim 1 or 7 in a plurality of stages.