JP2012250193A - Granule sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a granule sorting device which can precisely perform granule discriminating process to discriminate whether a granule is an object to be separated, in such a state that the discriminating operation is less troublesome.SOLUTION: This granule sorting device comprises the following components: (1) a reflected light receiving means 5A on one side which is positioned on one side to a measurement target site J, as viewed in the granule conveying direction, and receives the reflected light; (2) a reflected light receiving means 5B on the other side which is positioned on the other side to the measurement target site J and receives the reflected light; (3) a transmitted light receiving means 5C which is positioned on the other side to the measurement target site J, and receives the transmitted light; (4) one side illuminating means 4A for illuminating a reflected light measurement site J1; and (5) the other side illuminating means 4B which is positioned on the other side to the measurement target site J, as viewed in the granule conveying direction and illuminates the reflected light measurement site. The granule discriminating process is performed based on pieces of detection information, each from the reflected light receiving means 5A on the one side, the reflected light receiving means 5B on the other side and the transmitted light receiving means 5C.

Description

  The present invention comprises a transfer means for transferring the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target location, a light receiving means for receiving light from the granular material at the measurement target location, and an illumination means for illuminating the measurement target location, The present invention relates to a granular material sorting apparatus provided with evaluation processing means for executing granular material discrimination processing for determining whether or not a granular material is a separation target based on light reception information of the light receiving means.

Conventionally, the granular material sorting apparatus has been configured as follows.
That is, as the illuminating means, the one-side illuminating means positioned on one side with respect to the measurement target position (specifically, on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target position) in the moving direction of the granular material, and the granular material The other illumination means located on the other side (specifically, on the rear side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target location) that is 180 degrees different from the location on the one side with respect to the measurement target location in the transfer direction view The light receiving means is a light receiving means on one side for receiving reflected light from the granular material located on one side (the front side of the apparatus) with respect to the measurement target position in the moving direction of the granular material, and the granular material And a light receiving means on the other side that receives reflected light and is located on the other side (the rear side of the apparatus) that is 180 degrees different from the position on the one side with respect to the position to be measured. The lighting means and the other side lighting means In the operating state, each of the one side light receiving device and the other side light receiving device receives light reflected by the granular material located at the measurement target location, and executes the granular material discrimination processing based on the received light information. The first measurement state and any one of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means are inactivated, and the granular material is formed by any one of the one side light reception device and the other side light reception device. Is switched to the second measurement state in which the granular material discrimination processing is executed based on the received light information so that the reflected light reflected by the granular material is received by the other light receiving device. There was what was made like this (for example, refer patent document 1).

  The above configuration can detect a granular material whose light reflectance is outside the appropriate range as a granular material to be separated in the first measurement state, and a granular material to be separated in the second measurement state. As a body, it is possible to detect a granular body whose light transmittance is out of an appropriate range.

JP 2007-330880 A

  In the above conventional configuration, in order to detect a granular material whose light reflectance is outside the proper range and a granular material whose light transmittance is outside the proper range, two different measurement states as described above are used. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the operation of executing the granular material discrimination process while transferring the granular material group by the transfer means, which has a disadvantage in that the work efficiency is lowered.

For example, by switching to the first measurement state and receiving the light reflected by the granular material in each of the one side light receiving device and the other side light receiving device and executing the granular material discrimination processing, A granular material whose reflectance is outside the proper range is detected. And then, switching to the second measurement state, the granular material whose light reflectance was not outside the appropriate range in the first measurement state was transmitted through the granular material by any one of the light receiving devices. By receiving the transmitted light and executing the granular material discrimination process, the granular material whose light transmittance is outside the appropriate range is detected.
Thus, it is necessary to switch between the first measurement state and the second measurement state to perform the granular material discrimination processing, which has a disadvantage that causes a reduction in work efficiency.

  By the way, instead of the configuration as described above, for example, as the illuminating means, only one of the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means is provided, and one of the one side light receiving device and the other side light receiving device is provided. One of the light receiving devices and the other light receiving device are configured such that one of them receives the light reflected by the granular material positioned at the measurement target location, and the other receives the light transmitted through the granular material positioned at the measurement target location. A configuration for executing the granular material determination processing based on the respective light reception information is conceivable, but in this configuration, only one of the one side light receiving device and the other side light receiving device can reflect the reflected light from the granular material. Since it is to be measured, information on the reflected light from either one of the surface on the one side or the surface on the other side of the surface of the granular material with respect to the measurement target position is obtained from the surface of the granular material. What can not be It, there is a disadvantage that not be the granulate determination process for determining whether a granular material to be separated accurately.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a granular material sorting apparatus capable of accurately performing granular material discrimination processing for determining whether or not a granular material is a separation target in a state where work efficiency is not reduced. The point is to provide.

The granular material sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer means for transferring a granular material group so as to pass through a measurement target location, a light receiving means for receiving light from the granular material at the measurement target location, and the measurement target location. Illuminating means for illuminating and evaluation processing means for executing a granular material determination process for determining whether or not the granular material is a separation target based on light reception information of the light receiving means. The first characteristic configuration is
The measurement target location includes a reflected light measurement location for measuring the reflected light reflected from the surface of the granular material and a transmitted light measurement location for receiving the transmitted light that has passed through the granular material, in the direction in which the granular material is transferred. Is set in a different position,
The light receiving means is located on one side with respect to the measurement target position in the granular material transfer direction view and receives the reflected light, and the measurement target in the granular material transfer direction view. The other side reflected light receiving means for receiving the reflected light located on the other side 180 degrees different from the one side location with respect to the location, and located on one side or the other side of the measurement target location And a transmitted light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light,
The illuminating means is located on the one side with respect to the measurement target location in the granular material transfer direction view and illuminates the reflected light measurement location, and the measurement target in the granular material transfer direction view The other side illuminating means for illuminating the reflected light measurement point located on the other side with respect to the point, and one side or the other side of the measurement target point located on the opposite side to the transmitted light receiving device A transmitted light illuminating means for illuminating the transmitted light measurement point,
The evaluation processing means is configured to execute the granular material determination process based on detection information of each of the reflected light receiving means on the one side, the reflected light receiving means on the other side, and the transmitted light receiving means. It is in the point.

  That is, of the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means, the side opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means exists is used as the transmitted light illuminating means to illuminate the transmitted light measurement location and transmit The transmitted light receiving means receives the light from the light, and the light on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present is reflected by the light shielding action of the light shielding member. By illuminating the measurement location, the light reflected from the granular material at the reflected light measurement location is received by the transmitted light receiving device, or there is a transmitted light receiving device among the one side illumination device and the other side illumination device. Therefore, the reflected light measurement point and the transmitted light measurement point are brought close to the transfer direction of the granular material group. , Reflected light and transmitted light It becomes capable to perform that granulate determination process.

  That is, the illumination light of the one side illumination means and the illumination light of the other side illumination means are projected in a light beam shape that becomes narrower as the width along the transport direction of the granular material group approaches the reflected light measurement place, and the reflected light measurement place is Although it will illuminate efficiently, in addition to the reflected light measurement location, the reflected light measurement location is positioned in the projection area of the illumination light of the one side illumination means and the illumination light of the other side illumination means, and the reflected light In the state where the measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are close to the transport direction of the granular material group, it is possible to perform the granular material discrimination processing using reflected light or transmitted light.

  In other words, when performing the granular material discrimination process using reflected light or transmitted light, the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are sufficiently separated along the transport direction of the granular material group. Of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means, the side opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present avoids illuminating the transmitted light measurement point, and the one side illumination means and the other side Of the side illumination means, the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present illuminates the reflected light measurement location, so that the light reflected from the granular material at the reflected light measurement location is received by the transmitted light receiving means. Of the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means, it is possible to avoid the illumination light on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present from reaching the transmitted light measurement location.

  However, in this case, there is not only inconvenience that it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus, but also in the provision of separation means for separating the granular material to be separated from the granular material group, separation means corresponding to the reflected light measurement location and Since the apparatus configuration may be complicated due to the separate installation of the separating means corresponding to the transmitted light measurement location, the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are moved in the direction in which the granular material group is transferred. Therefore, it is desirable to make it closer to.

  Therefore, according to the second characteristic configuration, it is possible to perform the granular material discrimination process using the reflected light or the transmitted light in a state where the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are close to the transfer direction of the granular material group. Can now.

According to a second characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to the first characteristic configuration, the one on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present illuminates the reflected light measurement portion among the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means. The reflected light reflected from the granular material is prevented from being received by the transmitted light receiving means, and the one on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present among the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means. In order to prevent illumination light from reaching the transmitted light measurement location, a light shielding member that shields the reflected light and the illumination light is provided,
Of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means, the one opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present is configured to illuminate the transmitted light measurement location as the transmitted light illumination means. There is in point.

  That is, the reflected light reflected from the granular material is illuminated by the transmitted light receiving means on the side where the transmitted light receiving means exists among the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means. And the reflected light and the other side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means on the side where the transmitted light receiving means exists are prevented from reaching the transmitted light measurement point. Since the light shielding member that shields the illumination light is provided, the direction in which the granular material is transferred so that the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are located within the projection area of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means. The illumination light of the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present among the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means is projected to the transmitted light measurement location, Side illumination means and It is possible to prevent the square side reflection light reflected from those on the side where the transmitted light receiving unit is present to illuminate the reflected light measurement points granules of the illumination means is received by the transmitted light receiving unit.

  In other words, the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means are designed to narrow down the luminous flux of the projected light as much as possible so as not to spread along the transfer direction of the granular material so as to project only the reflected light measurement point. Although it is adjusted, it is difficult to narrow down to project only the reflected light measurement location, and the light projection area expands in a state having a predetermined width along the transfer direction of the granular material. If the location and the transmitted light measurement location are set as close as possible along the transfer direction of the granular material, the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are projected by the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means. It will be in a state located within the region.

  And even if it is a case where the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are set in a state where they are located within the projection area of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means as described above, by providing the light shielding member Of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means, the one on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present illuminates the reflected light measurement portion, and the reflected light reflected from the granular material is received by the transmitted light receiving means. It is possible to prevent the illumination light on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present among the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means from reaching the transmitted light measurement location.

Incidentally, there are the following reasons why it is better to bring the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location closer to each other along the transfer direction of the granular material.
That is, the granular material group transferred by the transfer means so as to pass through the measurement target portion is, for example, separated from the measurement target portion on the lower side in the transfer direction of the granular material after passing through the measurement target portion. Separation processing is performed to separate the granular material to be separated from other granular materials, but the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are separated from each other along the transport direction of the granular material. Therefore, the separation process based on the result of the granular material determination process may not be performed properly. In order to perform such a separation process satisfactorily, the reflected light measurement location and the transmission It is better that the optical measurement location is as close as possible along the transfer direction of the granular material. In order to make the apparatus compact along the transport direction of the granular material group, it is preferable that the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are as close as possible along the transport direction of the granular material.

  Further, of the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means, the side opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means exists illuminates the transmitted light measurement point, and the transmitted light transmitted through the granular material located at the transmitted light measurement point Is detected by the transmitted light receiving means. In other words, by using one of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present as the transmitted light illumination means, the structure can be simplified by sharing the members. It becomes possible to plan.

  Therefore, according to the second characteristic configuration, the reflected light measurement point and the transmitted light measurement point are positioned so that the reflected light measurement point and the transmitted light measurement point are located within the projection areas of the one side illumination unit and the other side illumination unit. It becomes possible to approach along the transfer direction of the granular material by the transfer means, and it is possible to simplify the configuration by using the members in common.

In addition to the first feature configuration or the second feature configuration, the third feature configuration of the present invention is a method in which a granular material to be separated is separated from the measurement target portion at a separation location on the lower side in the transfer direction of the granular material. Separation means for separating into a different path from the group is provided
When the evaluation processing unit determines in the granular body determination process that the granular material is a separation target based on detection information of the reflected light receiving unit on one side and the reflected light receiving unit on the other side, A granular material that is operated after the first delay time required from the reflected light measurement location to the separation location has elapsed and is to be separated based on detection information of the transmitted light receiving device. If it is determined that there is, the separation means is configured to operate after a second delay time required from the transmitted light measurement point to the separation point elapses.

  That is, when it is determined that the evaluation processing unit is a granular material to be separated based on the detection information of the reflected light receiving unit on one side and the reflected light receiving unit on the other side, the first delay time has elapsed. Later, the separating means is activated. Since the first delay time is the time required for the granular material to reach the separation location from the reflected light measurement location, the granular material whose light reflectance is outside the appropriate range and is determined as the separation target is transferred to the separation location. It will be released accurately at the timing.

  In addition, when the evaluation processing unit determines that the granular material is a separation target based on the detection information of the transmitted light receiving unit, the evaluation processing unit operates the separation unit after the second delay time has elapsed. The second delay time is the time required for the granular material to reach from the transmitted light measurement location to the separation location, so that the granular material whose light transmittance is out of the proper range and is identified as the separation target is transferred to the separation location. It will be accurately separated at the timing.

That is, each of the granular material whose light reflectance is out of the proper range and determined as the separation target and each of the granular material whose light transmittance is out of the proper range and determined as the separation target are obtained by one separation means. It is possible to separate them.
By the way, when the reflected light measurement location and the transmitted light measurement location are set in a state approaching the transfer direction of the granular material group, the flow velocity change of the granular material group transferred by the transfer means is small, so one It is possible to properly separate while separating by the separating means.

  Therefore, according to the third characteristic configuration, it is possible to accurately separate the granular material whose light reflectance is out of the proper range and the granular material whose light transmittance is out of the proper range.

According to a fourth feature configuration of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first feature configuration to the third feature configuration, the transfer means is formed wide along the lateral width direction in a state where the granular material group is expanded in the lateral width direction. It is configured to transfer the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target portion,
Each of the reflected light receiving unit on the one side, the reflected light receiving unit on the other side, and the transmitted light receiving unit includes a plurality of unit light receiving units that receive light from the measurement target location. Configured to be juxtaposed along the lateral direction of
The evaluation processing unit is configured to determine whether the light quantity value received by the unit light receiving unit is a granular object to be separated depending on whether the light quantity value received by the unit light receiving unit is out of an appropriate light quantity range as the granular body determination process. In addition, the granular material discrimination process is configured to be executed for each of the plurality of unit light receiving units.

  That is, the granular material group is transferred in a state of being expanded in the horizontal width direction, and the reflected light receiving means on one side and the reflected light receiving means on the other side are arranged in a plurality of unit light receiving units juxtaposed along the width direction of the measurement target portion. The reflected light is received by the plurality of unit light receiving units juxtaposed along the width direction of the measurement target portion, and the evaluation processing means is the reflected light receiving means on one side, Based on the detection information of each of the reflected light receiving means and the transmitted light receiving means on the side, the granular material discrimination process is executed for each of the plurality of unit light receiving units.

  That is, it is determined whether or not a plurality of granular material groups arranged in the horizontal width direction of the measurement target portion are granular materials to be separated at a stroke among the granular material groups transferred in a state of being expanded in the horizontal width direction. can do.

  Therefore, according to the fourth feature configuration, it is determined whether or not the granular material group is a separation target at a time while transferring a large amount of granular material group at a time in a state where the granular material group is expanded in the lateral width direction. It is possible to improve work efficiency.

According to a fifth feature configuration of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first feature configuration to the fourth feature configuration, the transfer means transfers the granular material group while flowing down in a state of extending long along the granular material transfer direction. It is configured with a downflow guide plate in an inclined position,
The transmitted light receiving means and one of the reflected light receiving means on the one side and the reflected light receiving means on the other side are below the flow guide plate and the flow guide in a plan view. The point is that they are arranged in a state where they overlap with each other in a position overlapping or substantially overlapping with the plate.

  That is, a flow guide plate having an inclined posture for moving the granular material group while flowing under its own weight is provided, and either one of the transmitted light receiving means, the reflected light receiving means on one side, and the reflected light receiving means on the other side is provided. Are arranged in a state where they are arranged in the vertical direction at a position that overlaps or substantially overlaps with the flow-down guide plate in a plan view, and is below the flow-down guide plate in an inclined posture. The transmitted light receiving means, the reflected light receiving means on one side, and the reflected light received on the other side without increasing the size of the granular material sorting device along the granular material transfer direction in plan view. Any one of the means can be deployed.

  Therefore, according to the fifth feature configuration, any one of the transmitted light receiving means, the reflected light receiving means on one side, and the reflected light receiving means on the other side is provided without increasing the size of the powder and particle sorting apparatus. One can be deployed.

It is a side view of a granular material sorter. It is a front view of a granular material sorting device. It is a vertical side view of a granular material sorter. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a main frame part. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the principal part. It is a side view of the principal part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a storage body arrangement | positioning part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a storage body arrangement | positioning part. It is a perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part. (A) is a perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part, (b) is an exploded perspective view of a light shielding member arrangement part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of each part inside a storage body. It is a figure which shows the illumination state of a measurement object location. It is a figure which shows the air supply state to an air ejection apparatus. It is a control block diagram. It is a figure which shows the light reception state of a light-receiving means. It is a figure which shows the appropriate light quantity range about transmitted light. It is a figure which shows the appropriate light quantity range about reflected light. It is a figure which shows frequency distribution of light quantity. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of control operation. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of control operation. It is a figure which shows the light reception state of the light from a measurement object location.

  Hereinafter, the case of applying the embodiment of the granular material sorting device according to the present invention to a granular material group sorting device that performs sorting while guiding the flow of rice grain groups such as brown rice and polished rice as an example of the granular material group, based on the drawings. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an inclined posture in which the rice grain group k is placed in a flowing state flowing down in a single layer and in a wide state so as to pass through the measurement target portion J and is guided toward the measurement target portion J. A shooter 3C (an example of a flow guide) is provided, and the rice grain group k conveyed and supplied by the vibration feeder 3B from the storage hopper 3A provided on the upper side of the shooter 3C is allowed to flow down the upper surface of the shooter 3C. It is configured so that defective grains can be separated by sorting out defective grains whose reflectance is out of the proper range or light transmittance is out of the proper range and good rice grains.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration feeder 3 </ b> B includes a receiving placement portion 25 that receives the rice grains discharged from the lower portion of the storage hopper 3 </ b> A, and a vibration generator 26 that vibrates the receiving placement portion 25. In addition, the vibration generator 26 is configured to vibrate the receiving mounting portion 25 and feed the rice grain group k from one end thereof to the shooter 3C. As shown in FIG. 7, the shooter 3C is constituted by a grooved plate formed in a state where the linear grooves m are arranged in a plurality of rows along the width direction, and is arranged in the width direction of the shooter 3C by the vibration feeder 3B. The rice grain group k supplied in a state of spreading in a wide state along the channel is configured to flow down and guide in a plurality of rows of grooves m.

  Accordingly, the storage hopper 3A, the vibration feeder 3B, the shooter 3C, and the like constitute the transfer means 3 that transfers the rice grain group k so as to pass through the measurement target portion J in a state where the rice grain group k expands in the horizontal direction. Yes.

  Further, the vibration feeder 3B changes the conveying speed of the rice grain group k due to the vibration of the vibration generator 26, thereby supplying the supply amount of the rice grain group k fed to the shooter 3C, that is, the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k by the shooter 3C. It is configured to be able to change and adjust.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the measurement target location J for the rice grain group k is set in the path in which the rice grain population k moves and drops from the lower end of the shooter 3C. The reflected light measurement point J1 for measuring the reflected light reflected from the surface and the transmitted light measurement point J2 for receiving the transmitted light that has passed through the rice grains are set in a state where the positions are different in the transfer direction of the rice grains. Has been. Specifically, it is set in a state where the transmitted light measurement point J2 is located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the reflected light measurement point J1.

  And as shown in FIG. 6, the illumination means 4 which illuminates the measurement object location J, the light-receiving means 5 which receives the light from the rice grain group k in the measurement object location J, and the transfer direction of rice grains from the measurement object location J An air blowing device 6 is provided as a separating means for separating the separation target grains and other rice grain groups at the lower separation point.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the illuminating means 4 is located on one side (specifically, the front side of the apparatus) with respect to the measurement target position in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group and illuminates the reflected light measurement position J1. 4A of front side illumination means as one side illumination means, and the other side which differs 180 degree | times from the said one side location with respect to the measurement object location J in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group k (specifically apparatus rear side) And rear side illumination means 4B as the other side illumination means for illuminating the reflected light measurement point J1.

  Further, a background light amount adjuster 4C for transmitted light is provided in a state of being located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target location J, and is used for forming background light in a state of being located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the measurement target location J A part-side reflecting plate 4D is provided, and a back-side reflecting plate 4E for forming background light is provided in a state of being located closer to the apparatus rear side than the measurement target portion J.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rear side illumination means 4B has two columnar fluorescent lamps that illuminate the reflected light measurement point J1 directly over the entire width in the device lateral width side by side on the device rear side with respect to the measurement target point J. A line-shaped light source 30B as a light projection body configured, and a reflected light measurement point J1 from an illumination direction different from the illumination direction by the line-shaped light source 30B due to the reflected light reflected from the light emitted from the line-shaped light source 30B. And a light reflecting member 31B as a light projecting body that illuminates the entire width of the apparatus in the horizontal direction of the apparatus, and reflects light from different illumination directions on the upper side in the transfer direction and the lower side in the transfer direction with respect to the rice grains at the reflected light measurement point J1. It is comprised so that the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated.

  Further, on the back of the line-shaped light source 30B, a diffuse reflector 32 bent in a substantially U-shape with a matte white coating on the inner surface is disposed, and although not shown, in the vicinity of the line-shaped light source 30B Is provided with a projection light adjusting mechanism that guides light to the light reflecting member 31B and guides the light flux directed to the reflected light measurement point J2 in a state in which the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains is narrowed (see FIG. 12). .

  And the light reflection member 31B is narrow with respect to the transfer direction of a rice grain group, is comprised in the elongate rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source 30B, and the reflective surface is comprised by the mirror surface. It should be noted that the position of the light reflecting member 31B is fixed so that the inclination angle of the light reflecting member 31B is an appropriate angle so that the light amount illuminated by the line light source 30B and the light amount illuminated by the light reflecting member 31B are the same or substantially the same. It is attached in a state, and is configured such that light is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J1.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the front side illumination means 4 </ b> A is similar to the rear side illumination means 4 </ b> B in that the upper-side outer surface portion located on the upper side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group k located at the reflected light measurement location. A line-shaped light source 30A as an optical projection body configured by arranging two cylindrical fluorescent lamps that are directly illuminated, a diffuse reflector 32 provided on the back of the line-shaped light source 30A, and light emitted from the line-shaped light source 30A is reflected. The light reflection member 31A is provided as a light projection member that illuminates the lower outer surface portion located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group located at the reflected light measurement location J1 by the reflected light, and the reflected light measurement location The reflected light measurement point J1 is illuminated from the different illumination directions on the upper side of the transfer direction and the lower side of the transfer direction with respect to the rice grains of J1.
Although not shown, in the vicinity of the line-shaped light source 30B, the light is guided to the light reflecting member 31B, and the light beam traveling toward the reflected light measuring point J2 is narrowed in the width along the rice grain transfer direction. A guiding light adjustment mechanism is provided (see FIG. 12).

A state of illumination with respect to the measurement target portion J by the illumination unit 4 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the front side illumination means 4A, the light from the line light source 30A is directly projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2, and the light from the line light source 30A is guided to the light reflecting member 31A. Thus, the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2.
The illumination light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30A toward the reflected light measurement point J2 is projected in the form of a light flux so as to narrow the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains as it approaches the reflected light measurement point J2. It is comprised so that only the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated. On the other hand, the illumination light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected in the form of a light flux so that the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains becomes narrower as it approaches the reflected light measurement location J2, but the degree of diaphragm is projected to the line light source 30A. Compared with the reflected light measurement point J1, the transmitted light measurement point J2 is illuminated more loosely.
As described above, the front side illumination unit 4A is configured to illuminate the granular material located at the transmitted light measurement point J2 from the front side of the apparatus, and thus has a configuration that also serves as the transmitted light illumination unit.

  On the other hand, as with the front side illumination unit 4A, the rear side illumination unit 4B also projects the light from the line light source 30B directly toward the reflected light measurement point J2, as shown in FIG. The light from the light source 30B is guided to the light reflecting member 31B, and the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected toward the reflected light measurement point J2. The illumination light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30A toward the reflected light measurement point J2 is projected in the form of a light flux so as to narrow the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains as it approaches the reflected light measurement point J2. It is comprised so that only the optical measurement location J1 may be illuminated. On the other hand, the light reflected by the light reflecting member 31A is projected in the form of a light flux so that the width along the transfer direction of the rice grains becomes narrower as it approaches the reflected light measurement location J2, but the degree of diaphragm is projected to the line light source 30A. Compared to the reflected light measurement point J1, the transmitted light measurement point J2 is projected loosely.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the light directly projected from the line light sources 30A and 30B illuminates only the reflected light measurement point J1, but is directly projected from the line light sources 30A and 30B. The light may be configured to illuminate not only the reflected light measurement point J1 but also the transmitted light measurement point J2.

  However, of the illumination light from the rear side illumination means 4B, the light projected toward the transmitted light measurement point J2 is shielded by the light shielding member 38 described later so as not to reach the transmitted light measurement point J2. It is the composition which becomes.

As shown in FIG. 6, the background light amount adjuster 4C is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the transmitted light measurement location J2 is viewed from the transmitted light receiving device 5C described later, and the device lateral width direction of the transmitted light measurement location J2 A plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 arranged side by side in a dense state, and light emitted by the plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 arranged on the light projection side of the area where the plurality of LED light emitting elements 33 are installed And a diffusing plate 34 to be diffused.
And as shown in FIG. 14, the light control apparatus 35 which can change and adjust the light emission output of several LED light emitting element 33 is provided, and the light quantity of the background light-received in the transmitted light light-receiving device 5C is the appropriate light quantity range which is mentioned later It is configured to be adjusted so that the light quantity value is within the range.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the front-side reflecting plate 4D for forming the background light is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the reflected light measurement location J1 is viewed from the rear-side reflected light receiving device 5B described later. The surface provided with the light reflectance is configured by a white plate, reflects the light from the line light source 30A, and receives the amount of background light received by the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B. The light quantity value is within the range.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rear-side reflecting plate 4E for forming the background light is provided at a location corresponding to the background when the reflected light measurement location J1 is viewed from the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A described later. The surface having a light reflectance of 1 is formed of a white plate, reflects the light from the line light source 30B, and the amount of background light received by the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is appropriate as described later. The light quantity value is within the light quantity range.

Next, the light receiving means 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving means 5 is located on the front side of the apparatus as one side with respect to the measurement target location J in the transfer direction view of the rice grain group, and receives the reflected light on the front side. Reflected light reception on the other side of the apparatus 5A and on the rear side of the apparatus as the other side, which is 180 degrees different from the position on one side with respect to the measurement target position J in the transfer direction of the rice grain group Rear side reflected light receiving device 5B as means, and transmitted light receiving device 5C as transmitted light receiving means for receiving transmitted light, located on the device rear side with respect to measurement target position J in the transfer direction view of rice grains. And is configured.

  Furthermore, to add a description, the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is configured to receive the light reflected by the front side illumination means 4A and reflected by the surface of the rice grain at the reflected light measurement point J1, and the rear part. The side reflected light receiving device 5B is configured to receive light that is illuminated by the rear side illumination means 4B at the reflected light measurement point J1 and reflected by the surface of the rice grain. Further, the transmitted light receiving device 5C is configured to receive light that has been illuminated by the front side illumination means 4A and transmitted through the rice grains at the transmitted light measurement position J2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C includes a plurality of unit light receiving portions 5a that receive light from the reflected light measurement point J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 along the width direction of the device. The detection light from the reflected light measurement point J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 is received in a resolution state where the range smaller than the size of the rice grain is the unit light receiving target range.

  That is, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C has a range p smaller than the size of each rice grain in the rice grain group (for example, a range smaller than 1/10 of the size of the rice grain) as each light receiving target range. A monochrome type CCD sensor unit 36 in which a plurality of unit light-receiving units 5a corresponding to the plurality of light-receiving target ranges are juxtaposed in line with each other corresponding to a wide measurement target portion J; And a condensing lens 37 that guides light received in a state having a viewing angle in the lateral direction of the apparatus to a plurality of unit light receiving portions 5a.

  Further, each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C applies an image of the rice grain group k positioned at the measurement target location J to the entire width of the measurement target location J in the device width direction on each unit light receiving portion 5a of the CCD sensor unit 36. For example, the light receiving information is sequentially extracted from each unit light receiving unit 5a from the right end side to the left end side of the measurement target portion J in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear side illumination means 4B illuminates the reflected light measurement portion J1 to prevent the reflected light reflected from the rice grains from being received by the transmitted light receiving device 5C, and the rear side. In order to prevent the illumination light from the illumination unit 4B from reaching the transmitted light measurement point J2, a light shielding member 38 for shielding the reflected light and the illumination light is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the light shielding member 38 is a light shielding action portion 38A made of a substantially band plate-like member provided with its longitudinal direction extending along the apparatus lateral width direction. In addition, both side portions in the longitudinal direction are provided with attachment portions 38B that are bent in a substantially U shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The light shielding action part 38A has a shape in which a strip is bent in a substantially U shape with the upper face part 38a and the bent part 38b, and the upper face 38a has a side closer to the transmitted light measurement point J2. It is provided in an oblique position so that it is located at a higher position and is located downward as it is located on the rear side of the device farther from the transmitted light measurement point J2, and the rice grain group k flows downward without being placed on the upper surface 38a. Is configured to do. The light shielding member 38 is disposed in a state as close as possible to the transmitted light measurement point J2. The mounting structure of the light shielding member 38 will be described later.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 12, in the rear side illumination means 4B, the light directly projected from the line-shaped light source 30B toward the reflected light measurement point J2 narrows the width of the light beam along the transfer direction of the rice grains. The light reflected by the light reflecting member 31B is projected not only to the reflected light measurement point J1 but also to the transmitted light measurement point J2. By providing the light shielding member 38 as described above, the light projected toward the transmitted light measurement point J2 out of the light projected from the rear side illumination unit 4B is shielded.

  The light shielding member 38 has a wide upper surface 38a in a direction intersecting the rice grain transfer direction, and the light from the rear illumination means 4B is applied to the rice grain group k located at the reflected light measurement point J1. The reflected light can be prevented from being guided to the transmitted light receiving device 5C.

A bent optical path forming means 39A for guiding light in a state where the optical axis is bent from the reflected light measuring portion J1 to the front side reflected light receiving device 5A is provided.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bent optical path forming means 39A reflects light directed toward the front of the apparatus along the direction substantially orthogonal to the transfer direction of the rice grain group from the reflected light measurement point J1 obliquely downward and forward. 40A of 1st reflectors, and the 2nd reflector which reflects the light reflected by the 1st reflector 40A to the front side reflected light light-receiving device 5A by reflecting upwards substantially parallel to the transfer direction of the rice grain group 41A. Each of the first reflector 40A and the second reflector 41A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its reflection surface being a mirror surface.

  Since the front side reflected light receiving device 5A includes the condenser lens 37 as described above and collects and receives the light from the measurement target portion J, for example, as shown in FIG. Since it has a viewing angle in the width direction, the width along the apparatus width direction can be configured to be narrower than the width of the measurement target location J (the width of the shooter 3C). The same applies to the other light receiving devices 5B and 5C.

  Similar to the bent optical path forming means 39A for the front side reflected light receiving device 5A, the bent optical path forming means 39B for the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B includes a first reflector 40B and a second reflector 41B. Since the arrangement configuration is only symmetric in the front and rear and the other configuration is the same, the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the optical axis CL1 of the reflected light received by the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the optical axis CL2 of the reflected light received by the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B are slightly up and down. Although it is in an inclined state, it is set to be in a state along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transfer of the rice grain group.

  The bent optical path forming means 39C for the transmitted light receiving device 5C is directed upward along the direction substantially parallel to the transfer direction of the rice grains by the light projected from the front side illumination means 4A and passing through the transmitted light measurement point J2. The first reflector 40C that reflects the light and the light reflected by the first reflector 40C is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction of the rice grain group and guided to the transmitted light receiving device 5C. The reflector 41C is provided. Each of the first reflector 40C and the second reflector 41C is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its reflection surface being a mirror surface.

The separation part is set in a state located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the transmitted light measurement part J2, and the air blowing device 6 is configured to blow air on the separation object determined to be separated. Has been.
In this air blowing device 6, a plurality of ejection nozzles 6a serving as air ejection portions are juxtaposed in a state corresponding to each section formed by dividing the entire width in the apparatus lateral width direction of the measurement target location J into a plurality of sections, and separated. The ejection nozzle 6a in the section where the object is present is configured to be operated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the air blowing device 6 includes an air manifold 42 that divides and supplies air to a plurality of ejection nozzles 6 a, and air as an air supply source provided outside the device with respect to the air manifold 42. Air is supplied from the compressor 44 through the pressure removal passage 43 through a filter 47 for removing dust. Further, the supply of air from the air manifold 42 to each of the plurality of ejection nozzles 6a is interrupted separately, and an electromagnetic valve 45 as a control valve that can be switched between a non-acting state in which air is not ejected and an operating state in which air is ejected. Is provided, and air is branched and supplied from the air manifold 42 to each of the ejection nozzles 6a from the respective electromagnetic valves 45 via piping that forms a flow path to each of the ejection nozzles 6a. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a pressure sensor 48 is provided as pressure detecting means for detecting the air pressure in the pressure supply passage 43.

  Each jet nozzle 6a is formed in a block body 6c made of metal such as aluminum, and an internal pipe 6b for supplying air to each jet nozzle 6a is also formed in the block body 6c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, each nozzle 6a is formed by the groove part formed in the upper surface of the block body 6c in the state connected with the internal piping 6b, and the board member 6d with which it mounted | worn from the upper side. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, normal rice grains k that are traveling as they are without being blown with air from the ejection nozzle 6 a are recovered from the rice grain groups k that flow down from the lower end of the shooter 3 </ b> C. Receiving part 49 for collecting normal grains, and separation objects separated from the flow of normal rice grains k by blowing air (for example, defective rice such as colored rice and cracked rice, stones and glass pieces) And a collection port 50 for collecting the separated product, and a normal particle collection port 49 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape in the lateral direction of the apparatus. A receiving part 50 for collecting separated matter is formed so as to surround the periphery of the mouth part 49.

The separation-collecting receiving port 50 has a receiving plate 50a for receiving the rice grains blown by the air and guiding them downward, on the lower side in the blowing direction of the air from the jet nozzle 6a, The separation target collected in the receiving part 50 for collecting separated matter is discharged from the separated outlet 52 to the outside. .
Further, the rice grains k collected at the receiving port 49 for collecting normal grains are supplied to the conveyance start end portion at the lower part of the discharging and conveying apparatus 8 by the normal grain guide 53, and are supplied by the discharging and conveying apparatus 8 for discharging. It is transported and discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the apparatus includes a light transmission window 59 that faces the measurement target portion J and is located on the rear side of the measurement target portion J, in other words, on the upper side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group in plan view. The rear side illumination means 4B and the rear side reflection plate 4E for forming background light are accommodated in a rear side illumination part accommodation case 54B formed in a state extending in the horizontal direction of the apparatus.

  Further, in the apparatus front side of the measurement target portion J, in other words, in a plan view, the light grain window 59 is located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grain group and has a light transmission window 59 facing the measurement target portion J, and in the lateral direction of the device. A front side illumination unit 4A, a background light amount adjuster 4C, and a front side reflection plate 4D for forming background light are accommodated in a front side illumination part storage case 54A formed in an extended state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rear side illumination unit storage case 54 </ b> B and the front side illumination unit storage case 54 </ b> A are integrally connected by side portions 54 c located on both sides in the apparatus lateral width direction to form one storage body. 54 is formed integrally.
As described above, the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B and the front side illumination unit storage case 54A are formed so as to extend in the lateral direction of the apparatus, respectively, and the rear side illumination means 4B and the rear side for forming the background light The reflecting plate 4E is stored in a state of being fixedly attached to the side surface portions 54c on both sides of the lighting unit storage case 54B by a bracket (not shown). Each of the front side illumination means 4A, the background light amount adjuster 4C, and the front side reflection plate 4D for forming the background light is formed by brackets (not shown) on the side portions 54c on both sides of the front side illumination unit storage case 54A. It is stored in a fixed state.

  Therefore, by providing the rear side illumination unit 4B and the rear side reflection plate 4E for forming the background light in the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B, the upper side illumination unit M1 that projects light toward the measurement target portion J is provided. It is configured. And this upper side illumination part M1 is installed in the state located in the upper side location in the transfer direction of a rice grain group. Further, by providing the front side illumination means 4A, the background light amount adjuster 4C, and the front side reflection plate 4D for forming the background light in the front side illumination unit storage case 54A, light is directed toward the measurement target portion J. A lower illumination unit M2 for projecting is configured. And this lower side illumination part M2 is installed in the state located in the lower side location in the transfer direction of a rice grain group.

As shown in FIG. 6, the front side camera case portion 55 </ b> A in which the front side reflected light receiving device 5 </ b> A is housed on the front side surface of the front side lighting unit storage case 54 </ b> A located on the front side of the device, and a bent optical path are formed. A front side light receiving part case 55 integrally formed with a front optical path forming case part 55B for accommodating the means 39A is connected and supported. As described above, the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A is provided narrower than the width of the measurement target location J in the lateral direction of the device, and as shown in FIG. The part case 55 is formed to be narrower than the storage body 54 in the lateral direction of the apparatus.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a slit hole 73 that is elongated along the lateral direction of the apparatus for allowing light from the reflected light measurement point J1 to pass through is formed on the front side surface of the front side illumination unit storage case 54A. ing.

  Therefore, the front-side reflected light receiving device 5A as the lower-side light receiving unit installed in the lower-side portion in the transfer direction of the rice grains in the plan view is lower than the lower-side illumination unit M2 in the horizontal direction of the device. The lower illuminating unit M2 is housed in a front side light receiving case 55 which is formed narrower than the lower illuminating unit M2 and is connected to and supported by the lower illuminating unit accommodating case 54.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the rear side of the rear side illumination unit storage case 54B on the rear side of the device, there is a first rear side camera case unit 56A that houses the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B, and transmitted light reception. The rear side light receiving part case 56 in which the second rear side camera case part 56B that houses the apparatus 5C and the rear optical path forming case part 56C that accommodates the bent optical path forming means 39B are integrally formed is connected and supported. Has been. And as above-mentioned, since the rear side reflected light light-receiving device 5B and the transmitted light light-receiving device 5C are provided narrower than the width of the measurement target location J in the device lateral width direction, as shown in FIG. The rear side light receiving unit case 56 is formed to be narrower than the storage body 54 in the apparatus lateral width direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the rear side surface of the rear-side illumination unit storage case 54B, a slit hole 74 that is elongated along the lateral direction of the device for allowing light from the reflected light measurement point J1 to pass through, and a transmission Slit holes 75 that are elongated along the lateral direction of the apparatus for allowing light from the optical measurement point J2 to pass therethrough are respectively formed.

  Therefore, the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B and the transmitted light receiving device 5C as the light receiving unit installed at the upper side position in the transfer direction of the rice grain group in the horizontal direction of the device are more in the horizontal direction than the upper side illumination unit M1. It is formed narrower than the upper-side illumination unit M <b> 2 stored in the storage body 54, and is stored in the front-side light receiving unit case 54 that is connected and supported by the lower-side illumination unit storage case 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the shooter 3 is provided in a state where the shooter 3 enters the space through which the rice grain group formed between the rear side lighting unit storage case 54B and the front side lighting unit storage case 54A passes. The air blowing device 6 is attached in a state where it is installed and supported across the side surface portions 54c on both sides of the storage body 54 in a state of being located on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the target portion.

  If it demonstrates, as shown in FIG.6 and FIG.8, the support bracket 65 is connected in the state constructed over the side part 54c of the both sides in the storage body 54. FIG. The support bracket 65 is attached in such a manner that the flange portions 65a positioned on both sides in the lateral direction of the apparatus are screwed to laterally extending flange portions 54c1 formed on the side surface portions 54c on both sides.

  And the block body 6c which comprises the air spraying apparatus 6 is attached to the frame-shaped attachment part 65a of the front part side in the support bracket 65 in the state fixed with a screw. As shown in FIG. 10, a cylindrical receiving port forming member 49A for forming a receiving port 49 for collecting normal grains is attached to the front side of the block body 6c. The lateral side portion 49A1 of the receiving port forming member 49A is provided wide so as to prevent rice grains from scattering in the lateral direction of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an air manifold 42, a plurality of solenoid valves 45, a plurality of pipes, and the like are provided on the bottom surface portion 65 b of the support bracket 65 located on the back surface side of the block body 6 c, and each of these devices is provided. A cover body 66 is provided to cover the space to be separated from the region through which the rice grains pass. It can be connected to the block body 6a through an opening 65a1 formed in the frame-shaped mounting portion 65a.

  The cover body 66 is attached to the support bracket 65 by welding, screw fixing, or the like, and the upper surface 66a of the cover body 66 is at a high position on the side close to the measurement target location J, and is positioned on the rear side of the apparatus from the measurement target location J. The rice grain group k is configured to flow downward without being placed on the upper surface 66a.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the light shielding member 38 is attached to the cover body 66 in a state where the attachment portions 38B provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the device are fixed by welding or screwing. It has been. A gap Z is formed between the light shielding member 38A of the light shielding member 38 and the upper surface 66a of the cover body 66 so that transmitted light passes therethrough.

  In this granular material group sorting device, the rice grain group k fed to the feeding hopper 1 is lifted and transported and supplied to the storage hopper 3A and recovered from the receiving port 49 for normal grain recovery. The discharging and conveying device 8 for discharging and conveying the normal grains discharged from the discharging unit 7 provided on the upper side is better in the transfer direction of the rice grains than the upper side illumination unit M1 in the shooter 3C. It is equipped on the side of the side portion that is located closer to the shooter 3C than the positions of both end portions of the upper illumination unit M1 in the lateral width direction of the shooter 3C.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding / conveying device 2 for supply includes a driving wheel body 2 a located on the lower end side and a driven wheel body 2 b located on the upper end side inside a rectangular cylindrical frame 2 </ b> A in plan view. The endless rotating body 2c wound over the belt is constituted by a bucket-type transporting conveyor provided with a plurality of buckets 2d at appropriate intervals, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The rice grain group k input to the input hopper 1 provided is lifted and conveyed by the bucket 2d and supplied to the storage hopper 3A. The storage hopper 3A is formed with a see-through window 70 so that the supply state of the rice grain group k can be visually confirmed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, similarly to the supply lifting / conveying device 2, the discharge lifting / conveying device 8 is a driving wheel located on the lower end side inside a rectangular cylindrical frame 8 </ b> A in plan view. Consists of a bucket-type transporting conveyor having a plurality of buckets 8d at appropriate intervals with an endless rotating body 8c wound around a body 8a and a driven wheel 8b positioned on the upper end side, and recovering normal grains The normal rice grain group k recovered from the receiving port 49 for use and guided down by the guide plate 53 is lifted and conveyed by the bucket and supplied to the discharge unit 7.

  The feeding and conveying device 2 for supply and the lifting and conveying device 8 for discharging are respectively configured to perform a conveying operation by rotating the drive shafts 2e and 8e of the driving wheel bodies 2a and 8a located on the lower end side in the same direction. It is configured.

  The cylindrical frames 2A and 8A of the feeding and conveying device 2 for supply and the lifting and conveying device 8 for discharging constitute a part of the main frame portion F of this granular material sorting device. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, on the lower ends of the cylindrical frames 2A and 8A of the pair of conveying and conveying devices 2 and 8, on the front side of the device, that is, on the lower side in the transfer direction of the rice grains in a plan view. The extending base frame 12 is connected, and a pair of left and right side plates 13 and 14 are provided in a state of being connected to the cylindrical frame bodies 2A and 8A and the base frame 12, and the pair of cylindrical frame bodies 2A and 8A. The main frame portion F is composed of the base frame 12 and the pair of left and right side plates 13 and 14. In FIG. 4, other members are omitted for easy understanding of the configuration of the main frame portion F.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base frame 12 includes a side portion 12a located on both sides in the left-right direction and a front portion 12b that connects the left and right side wall portions 12a, and is configured in a substantially U shape in plan view. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the electric motor 15 is provided in the state located in the internal space formed by them, and the state supported by the receiving stand 12c.
As shown in FIG. 2, the electric motor 15 is provided with an output shaft 15a projecting outward on both sides. A chain, a transmission belt, or the like extends over the output shaft 15a and each of the drive shafts 2e and 8e. The endless rotating body 16 is wound, and the drive shafts 2e and 8e are interlocked and connected by the electric motor 15 so as to be integrally rotated in the same direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage body 54 has a structure in which both side portions in the apparatus width direction are connected and supported by the left and right side plates 13 and 14, respectively. In other words, both sides of the storage body 54 in the lateral direction of the apparatus are installed and supported in a state of being inserted through the rectangular insertion holes 60 formed in the left and right side plates 13 and 14, respectively. The collar part formed in the peripheral part of the part 54c becomes a structure connected to the collar part formed in the circumference | surroundings of the penetration hole 60 of the side plates 13 and 14 with a screw.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, side covers 63 and 64 that cover the outer side are provided at the outer side portions of the left and right side plates 13 and 14 in the lateral direction of the device. A transmissive window 67 having transparent glass is formed on the side surface 54c of the housing 54, and the transmissive window 67 and the side plate 13 are formed on one side cover 63 positioned on the right side when viewed from the front of the apparatus. A see-through window 68 is formed so that the measurement target portion J can be visually monitored from the outside of the apparatus through the inserted through hole 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side plates 13, 14 on both the left and right sides are each formed with a flange portion whose peripheral edge portion is bent into a substantially U shape, and the side cover 63, 64 are formed, and spaces Q1 and Q2 are formed between the side plate 13 and the side cover 63 and between the side plate 14 and the side cover 64, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a control device 9 and a power supply device (not shown) are provided in a space Q1 formed by a gap between the right side plate 13 and the right side cover 63. It is configured to be attached to the side plate 13 in a fixed position. A solenoid valve drive circuit 29 is provided in the space Q2 formed by the gap between the left side plate 14 and the left side cover 64, and is attached to the left side plate 14 in a fixed position. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a support base 27 that supports the vibration feeder 3 </ b> B is connected and fixed in a state of being laid over the side plates 13 and 14. On the lower surface side of the support base 27, a rectangular tube-shaped cylindrical portion 28 that connects the right space Q1 and the left space Q2 is integrally connected, and the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 and the control unit 27 are controlled. The electrical wiring h that connects the device 9 is configured so as to be provided in a state of being inserted through the inside of the cylindrical portion 28.

  In addition, electrical wiring (not shown) connected to the line-shaped light sources 41A, 41B and the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, 5C is arranged through the inside of the storage body 54 and connected to the control device 9. . In this way, the electrical wiring h is prevented from being exposed in the measurement passing region through which the rice grains pass. There is a possibility that small animals such as mice may enter the place where the rice grains pass, but since the electrical wiring h is not exposed to the measurement passing area, disadvantages such as the electrical wiring being damaged by the small animals can be avoided. .

Next, the control configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, a control device 9 using a microcomputer is provided, and image signals from the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C and operation information from the operation panel 11 are input to the control device 9. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 11 is provided on the front cover 10 so as to face outward, so that various settings can be performed. On the other hand, from the control device 9, a drive signal for turning on the line light sources 30A and 30B and a solenoid valve drive circuit 29 for driving each solenoid valve 45 for intermittently supplying each air from the air manifold 42 to each jet nozzle 6a. , A drive signal for the vibration generator 26 for the vibration feeder 3B, and a signal for a control command to the light control device 35 are output.

And it is a granular material (including a defective rice grain and foreign matter such as pebbles and glass pieces) (hereinafter referred to as a separation object) based on the light receiving information of the light receiving means 5 using the control device 9. Supply unit control for controlling the operation of the vibration feeder 3B to change the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k on the basis of the detection information of the pressure sensor 48 and the evaluation processing means 100 for executing the granular material discrimination processing for discriminating whether or not Means 101 is configured.
The control device 9 outputs a drive signal to the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 so as to operate the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a when it is determined based on the determination result of the granular material determination processing that it is a granular material to be separated. It is configured.

Next, the evaluation processing unit 100 will be described.
The evaluation processing means 100 sets in advance the light quantity value obtained by receiving light at each unit light receiving unit 5a for each of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B for each unit light receiving unit 5a. It is determined for each unit light receiving unit 5a whether or not it is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, and the light quantity value obtained by receiving each unit light receiving unit 5a of the transmitted light receiving device 5C is determined for each unit. It is determined for each unit light receiving unit 5a whether or not the appropriate light amount range ΔEt set for each light receiving unit 5a is outside. In these determinations, the received light amount of any unit light receiving unit 5a is the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, When it is outside ΔEt, it is determined that it is a separation object.

  In addition, the evaluation processing means 100 performs a plurality of steps from the dark side to the bright side with respect to the set amount of received light amount data obtained by sampling for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C. A frequency distribution (also referred to as a histogram) is obtained for each divided light quantity value, and appropriate light quantity ranges ΔEh and ΔEt are set based on the frequency distribution.

Specifically, a set number of received light amount data for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C while flowing the rice grain group k in a state in which the illumination light amount of the line light sources 30A and 30B is sufficiently stable. Is sampled. In this case, the air blowing device 6 is not operated. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the evaluation processing means 100 has an upper end of a continuous area (indicated by hatching in the figure) in which the power value for each light quantity value continuously exists from the dark side to the bright side in the frequency distribution hg. The upper light amount value TH1 is set in correspondence with the vicinity position of the portion, the upper limit value T1 of the appropriate light amount range is set at a position away from the upper light amount value TH1 on the bright side, and the lower end of the continuous region The lower light amount value TH2 is set in correspondence with the vicinity position of the portion, and the lower limit value T2 of the appropriate light amount range is set at a position away from the lower light amount value TH2 to the dark side on the set light amount K2. ing. The set light amounts K1 and K2 are set in advance as control constants.
Although not described in detail, the upper light amount value TH1 and the lower light amount value TH2 are corrected based on the set number of received light amount data obtained at the set time with the sorting operation.

The appropriate light amount range ΔEt when the detection light is transmitted light will be described.
In the case of transmitted light, as shown in the output waveform of the transmitted light receiving device 5C in FIG. 16, it is normal when the output voltage corresponding to the received light amount of each unit light receiving unit 5a is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for the rice grain group k. The presence of defective rice grains (grains that are not separation targets) is determined, and the presence of defective rice grains or foreign substances (separation target objects) is determined when they are outside the set appropriate range ΔEt. Here, the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for transmitted light is set within a predetermined vertical range across the output voltage level e0 for standard transmitted light from normal rice grains.

  When the light amount is smaller than the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, the presence of defective rice grains or foreign matters (for example, black stone particles) whose transmittance is smaller than that of normal rice grains is determined, and when the light amount range is larger than the appropriate light amount range ΔEt. Then, the presence of the defective rice grains k or foreign matters on the bright side having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grains k is determined. As an example of the defective rice grain k or foreign matter on the bright side, a light colored transparent glass piece or the like becomes a foreign matter having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grain k, and the normal rice grain k is changed to “glutinous rice”. “Uruchi rice” becomes a defective rice grain k having a larger transmittance than the normal rice grain k.

  In FIG. 16, the output voltage (the amount of received light) of the unit light-receiving unit 5a includes a position where a partially colored portion exists in the rice grain k, a position of black stone or the like (indicated by e1), and a shell crack portion. At a position (indicated by e2), if there is a foreign substance or the like that is located below the appropriate light amount range ΔEt and has a larger transmittance than normal rice grains, the appropriate light amount range as shown at position e4. The state in which it is located above ΔEt is illustrated.

Next, the appropriate light amount range ΔEh when the detection light is reflected light will be described.
In the case of reflected light, as shown in the output waveform of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A (or rear side reflected light receiving device 5B) in FIG. 17, the output voltage corresponding to the received light amount of each unit light receiving unit 5a. Is within the proper light amount range ΔEh, the presence of normal rice grains is determined, and when the light amount is outside the proper light amount range ΔEh, the presence of defective rice grains or the presence of foreign matter is determined. Here, the appropriate light amount range ΔEh for reflected light is set to a range of a predetermined vertical width across the output voltage level e0 ′ for standard reflected light from normal rice grains.

  In FIG. 17, at the position where the partially colored portion is present in the rice grain k (indicated by e1 ′) and the position where the shell crack portion is present (indicated by e2 ′), it is deviated from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh. The state is illustrated, and when a foreign object such as a glass piece is present, the state of being out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEh as illustrated at position e3 ′ by strong direct reflected light from the foreign object is illustrated. . Although not shown, black stones and the like have a very low reflectance, so that they greatly deviate from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh in the waveform.

  As described above, the upper limit value T1 of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, ΔEh (corresponding to transmitted light or reflected light) to be set and corrected for each unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C, and The value of the lower limit value T2 is stored as a lookup table for defect detection processing in a memory LUT (for front reflected light, rear reflected light, and transmitted light LUT) in the control device 24.

And the process which discriminate | determines whether it is a separation target object, conveying the rice grain group k used as discrimination | determination object by the transfer means 3 is performed as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the light quantity value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of each of the light receiving devices 5A, 5B, and 5C is transferred to the position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving units −1] while transferring the rice grain group k. ]) In association with (step 1). Next, determination processing of the light quantity value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of each light receiving device 5A, 5B, 5C is executed (step 2). Specifically, based on the light amount value j of each of the front side reflected light receiving device 5A and the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B, it is represented by position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving units-1]). For each unit light receiving unit 5a, if the light amount value j is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, it is determined that the rice is normal, and if the light amount value j is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, it is determined that the object is a separation object. To do. Similarly, in the transmitted light receiving device 5C, the light amount value j is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for each unit light receiving portion 5a represented by the position data i (i = 0 to [number of unit light receiving portions −1]). It is determined whether or not.

  When the light amount value j of the unit light receiving unit 5a of either the front side reflected light receiving device 5A or the rear side reflected light receiving device 5B is outside the appropriate light amount range ΔEh and is determined to be a separation target, the reflected light After the first delay time t1 required to reach the separation location from the measurement location J1, the air is ejected from the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a in the air blowing device 6 (steps 3, 4, and 7).

  Further, when the light amount value j of any unit light receiving unit 5a of the transmitted light receiving device 5C is out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt and is determined to be a separation target, the transmitted light measurement point J2 reaches the separation point. After the second delay time t2 required for the elapse of time, a drive signal is output to the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 so that air is ejected from the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a in the air blowing device 6 (steps 5, 6, and 7). The electromagnetic valve drive circuit 29 operates the electromagnetic valve 45 corresponding to the corresponding ejection nozzle 6a to eject air from the ejection nozzle 6a.

  In this way, air is blown from the respective ejection nozzles 6a in the section corresponding to the position of the separation object to separate it from normal rice grains, and the separated object is collected in the receiving port 50 for collecting the separated object. On the other hand, normal rice grains that have not been identified as separation objects are collected in the receiving part 49 for collecting normal grains.

  The separation object collected at the separation collection outlet 50 is discharged to the outside from the separation outlet 52, and the normal rice grain group k collected at the normal grain collection receptacle 49 is a guide plate. It is guided down by 53 and supplied to the transport start end portion of the lower part of the discharge transporting device 8, and is transported by the discharge transporting device 8, and is discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the device.

Next, the supply amount control unit 101 will be described.
When the pressure of air detected by the pressure sensor 48 is higher than a preset lower limit value, the supply amount control means 101 has a transfer means 3 when the detected pressure is low and when the detected pressure is high. The operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled so as to change the transfer flow rate based on the detected pressure so as to reduce the transfer flow rate by, and when the detected pressure is lower than the lower limit value, the transfer of the rice grain group k by the transfer means is stopped. Accordingly, the operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled.

  Specifically, the supply amount control unit 101 adjusts the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group k to the first set value if the detected pressure Px of the pressure sensor 48 is higher than the preset switching determination value Ps2, and If the detected pressure Px is equal to or less than the switching determination value Ps2, the transfer flow rate of the granular material group is adjusted to a second set value that is smaller than the first set value by a set amount, and the transfer flow rate is adjusted based on the detected pressure Px. The operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled to be changed.

More specifically, the granular material discrimination process is executed by the evaluation processing unit 100 while the granular material group to be selected is actually transferred by the transfer unit, and the evaluation target is separated by the evaluation processing unit 100. The process of separating the granular material determined to be a granular material with the air ejection device 6 is performed on a trial basis, and a transfer flow rate value capable of performing the separation processing in an appropriate state is obtained. The transfer flow value is set as the first set value.
Specifically, when operating while transferring the rice grain group k on a trial basis, the transfer flow rate of the vibration feeder 3B is manually changed by operating the operation panel 11, and the separation process is performed in an appropriate state. The transfer flow value that can be obtained is obtained.

Next, when the sorting process for the rice grain group k to be sorted is started, the supply amount control unit 101 executes the flow rate adjusting process of the transfer unit 3 based on the pressure detection. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the flow rate adjustment process is started, the detected pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 48 is input (step 10), and it is determined whether or not the detected pressure Px is equal to or lower than a preset lower limit value Ps1. (Step 11). If the detected pressure Px is not lower than the lower limit value Ps1 set in advance but higher than the lower limit value Ps1, then the detected pressure Px is lower than the switching determination value Ps2 set as a pressure higher than the lower limit value Ps1. Is determined (step 12). When it is determined in step 12 that the detected pressure Px is not lower than the switching determination value Ps2 but higher than the switching determination value Ps2, the transfer flow rate is unchanged, that is, the first set as the initial value. When the set pressure is maintained and the detected pressure Px is equal to or lower than the switching determination value Ps2, the air pressure is insufficient by a not-shown notification means (for example, a voice-type notification means or a message display-type notification means). And the operation of the transfer means 3 is controlled so as to adjust the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group to a second set value which is smaller than the first set value by a set amount (steps 13 and 14). Specifically, the transfer flow rate of the rice grain group is adjusted to the second set value by changing the conveyance speed of the vibration feeder 3B. Then, after adjusting the transfer flow rate to the second set value, the transfer flow rate is maintained at the second set value.

  If it is determined in step 11 that the detected pressure Px has decreased to the lower limit value Ps1 or less, it is difficult to blow off the separation object with air and separate it. Then, it is informed that the state is abnormal by a voice notification unit, a message display type notification unit, or the like, and the operation of the vibration feeder 3B is stopped (steps 15 and 16).

  When it is determined in step 12 that the detected pressure Px is higher than the switching determination value Ps2, the process of maintaining the initial flow rate as the transfer flow rate, that is, the initially set first set value, is the rice grain. This corresponds to the process of adjusting the transfer flow rate of the group k to the first set value.

[Another embodiment]
Next, another embodiment of the particulate inspection apparatus will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, the transfer means 3 includes the grooved shooter 3C formed in a state where the linear grooves m are arranged in a plurality of rows along the path width direction. A flat shooter formed on a flat guide surface over the entire width in the lateral direction of the path may be provided.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which transfers a granular material group in the state arranged in a line in one row instead of what moves a granular material group in the state where several rows are arranged side by side. In this case, the location on the one side relative to the measurement target location J and the location on the other side 180 degrees different from the location on the one side with respect to the measurement target location J in the view of the granular material in the transfer direction, It is possible to arrange reflected light receiving means and transmitted light receiving means in various arrangement states, such as setting the one end side place and the other end side place in the apparatus width direction when viewing the granular material in the transfer direction instead of the place It becomes.

(2) In the above embodiment, the reflected light measurement point J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 are set in a state of being close to each other along the transfer direction of the rice grains, and the light shielding member 38 is provided. The rear side illumination means 4B illuminates the reflected light measurement point J1 without setting the light shielding member 38 so that J1 and the transmitted light measurement point J2 are set at positions separated along the transfer direction of the rice grains. The reflected light reflected from the rice grains may not be received by the transmitted light receiving device 5C, and the illumination light of the rear side illumination means 4B may not reach the transmitted light measurement point J2.
Further, in this configuration, the front side illumination unit 4A may include a dedicated transmitted light illumination unit that illuminates the transmitted light measurement point J2 instead of the configuration that illuminates the transmitted light measurement point J2 as the transmitted light illumination unit. Good.

(3) In the above embodiment, a fluorescent lamp that is a linear light source is used as the illumination means. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, an LED in which a large number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in parallel in the horizontal width direction. It can be implemented in various forms such as using an array.

(4) In the above embodiment, the light receiving means 5 includes a light reflection type bent optical path forming means 39A, 39B, 39C that folds the light from the measurement target portion J in the optical axis direction and guides it to the light receiving device. Although illustrated, instead of such a configuration, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which a light receiving device receives light from the measurement target portion J as it is.

(5) In the above embodiment, the light receiving means 5 may be a camera tube type television camera in addition to the monochrome type CCD sensor. Further, instead of a monochrome type, a color type CCD sensor may be used, and for example, the presence or absence of defective rice or foreign matter may be determined with higher accuracy from the amount of received light for each of the color information R, G, and B.

(6) In the above embodiment, the separation means 6 blows air to the separation object and separates the separation object 6 in a different path from the other granular material group. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The object may be separated by sucking with air, or may be separated by a mechanical contact action.

(7) In the above embodiment, the case where the granular material group is the rice grain group is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, resin pellets.

  Whether or not the present invention is a granular material to be separated based on light reception information of a light receiving means that receives light from the measurement target location while transferring a granular material group such as rice grains so as to pass through the measurement target location. It can be applied to a granular material sorting apparatus provided with an evaluation processing means for determining whether or not.

3 Transfer means 3C Downflow guide plate 4 Illumination means 4A One side illumination means 4B Other side illumination means 5 Light receiving means 5A One side reflected light light receiving means 5B Other side reflected light light receiving means 5C Transmitted light light receiving means 5a Unit light receiving portion 6 Separation Means 100 Evaluation processing means J Measurement target location J1 Reflected light measurement location J2 Transmitted light measurement location ΔEt, ΔEh Appropriate light amount range t1 First delay time t2 Second delay time

Claims (5)

A transfer means for transferring the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target location; a light receiving means for receiving light from the granular material at the measurement target location; an illumination means for illuminating the measurement target location; A granular material sorting apparatus provided with an evaluation processing means for executing a granular material determination process for determining whether or not a granular material is a separation target based on light reception information,
The measurement target location includes a reflected light measurement location for measuring the reflected light reflected from the surface of the granular material and a transmitted light measurement location for receiving the transmitted light that has passed through the granular material, in the direction in which the granular material is transferred. Is set in a different position,
The light receiving means is located on one side with respect to the measurement target position in the granular material transfer direction view and receives the reflected light, and the measurement target in the granular material transfer direction view. The other side reflected light receiving means for receiving the reflected light located on the other side 180 degrees different from the one side location with respect to the location, and located on one side or the other side of the measurement target location And a transmitted light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light,
The illuminating means is located on the one side with respect to the measurement target location in the granular material transfer direction view and illuminates the reflected light measurement location, and the measurement target in the granular material transfer direction view The other side illuminating means for illuminating the reflected light measurement point located on the other side with respect to the point, and one side or the other side of the measurement target point located on the opposite side to the transmitted light receiving device A transmitted light illuminating means for illuminating the transmitted light measurement point,
The evaluation processing means is configured to execute the granular material determination process based on detection information of each of the reflected light receiving means on the one side, the reflected light receiving means on the other side, and the transmitted light receiving means. Granule sorting device. Of the one side illuminating means and the other side illuminating means, the one on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present illuminates the reflected light measurement portion and the reflected light reflected from the granular material is received by the transmitted light receiving means. In order to prevent the illumination light of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means on the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present from reaching the transmitted light measurement location, A light shielding member for shielding the reflected light and the illumination light is provided;
Of the one side illumination means and the other side illumination means, the one opposite to the side where the transmitted light receiving means is present is configured to illuminate the transmitted light measurement location as the transmitted light illumination means. The granular material sorting apparatus according to claim 1. Separation means for separating the granular material to be separated in the separation location on the lower side of the granular material in the transfer direction from the measurement target location in a path different from other granular material groups,
When the evaluation processing unit determines in the granular body determination process that the granular material is a separation target based on detection information of the reflected light receiving unit on one side and the reflected light receiving unit on the other side, A granular material that is operated after the first delay time required from the reflected light measurement location to the separation location has elapsed and is to be separated based on detection information of the transmitted light receiving device. 3. The granular material according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that there is a particle, the separation unit is operated after a second delay time required from the transmitted light measurement point to the separation point elapses. Sorting device. The transfer means is configured to transfer the granular material group so as to pass through the measurement target portion formed wide along the horizontal width direction in a state where the granular material group is expanded in the horizontal width direction,
Each of the reflected light receiving unit on the one side, the reflected light receiving unit on the other side, and the transmitted light receiving unit includes a plurality of unit light receiving units that receive light from the measurement target location. Configured to be juxtaposed along the lateral direction of
The evaluation processing unit is configured to determine whether the light quantity value received by the unit light receiving unit is a granular object to be separated depending on whether the light quantity value received by the unit light receiving unit is out of an appropriate light quantity range as the granular body determination process. The granular material sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the granular material discrimination processing is configured to be executed for each of the plurality of unit light receiving units. The transfer means is configured to include an inflowing guide plate in an inclined posture for transferring while allowing the granular material group to flow down in a state of extending long along the granular material transfer direction,
The transmitted light receiving means and one of the reflected light receiving means on the one side and the reflected light receiving means on the other side are below the flow guide plate and the flow guide in a plan view. The granular material sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the granular material sorting apparatus is arranged in a state in which the plates overlap or substantially overlap with each other in a vertically aligned state.

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