JP2561456Y2 - Softness measuring device for fruits and vegetables - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the softness of fruits and vegetables, such as kiwifruits, which is continuously measured nondestructively to determine the degree of maturity. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique for judging the degree of maturity of harvested fruits and vegetables from the surface of the fruits and vegetables is known. The one disclosed in JP-A-64-78159 is known. According to this prior art, the surface 4 that comes into contact first so as to press the epidermis of the fruit vegetable (for example, kiwi fruit) 1 to be measured, and the surface 4 that comes into contact next according to the degree of pressing of the surface 4 that first comes into contact. An inspection unit 2 having at least two surfaces with the configured surface 6 as means for measuring the pulp hardness of the contact surface of the fruit vegetable 1 to be measured;
Fruit to be measured 1 pressed and deformed by the inspection unit 2
And a converter for converting the change in the epidermis into an electric signal, and comparing the electric signal from the converter with a previously stored ripeness determination condition to determine the ripeness of the fruit and vegetable 1. It was made.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the surface 4 which first comes into contact with the fruit 1 to be measured is described.
And the surface 6 to be contacted next move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the epidermis of the fruit vegetable 1 to be measured, so that the measurement is performed while contacting. (Vegetables, etc.) 1 could not be inspected by continuously contacting the epidermis of each fruit and vegetable 1 to be measured without stopping the continuous movement thereof, and thus the inspection efficiency could not be improved. Further, the fruits and vegetables 1 may be damaged (destructed) by the surface 4 that first comes into contact with the fruits and vegetables. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a portion in contact with the surface of a fruit or the like to be measured is used as a wheel, and the continuously moving fruit and the like is stopped for the fruit or the like that moves continuously. In this way, it is possible to make efficient and efficient inspections by continuously contacting the epidermis of each fruit and vegetable.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for measuring the softness of fruits and vegetables according to the present invention comes into contact with the surface of a continuously moving fruit and vegetables 3 while following the surface of the fruits and vegetables. Two reference wheels 21 and 22 serving as reference points B
And one measuring wheel 16 provided between the reference wheels 21 and 22 for applying a load to the continuously moving fruits and vegetables 3 at a measuring point A from a vertical direction and measuring a displacement amount C. ,
From the reference point B set by the two reference wheels 21 and 22, the softness of the fruits and vegetables 3 is continuously measured by a displacement C generated by applying a load at the measurement point A by the measurement wheel 16 from the reference point B. In the softness measuring device for fruits and vegetables, the rotation axes of the two reference wheels 21 and 22 and one measuring wheel 16 are provided on a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the fruits and vegetables 3 move, and the two reference wheels 21 are provided. , 22 and one measuring wheel 16 are connected to the stationary frame 8 by parallel links 9, 1
Vertically movable frame 11 pivotally movable through vertical axis 0
The left and right followers 17 and 18 connected by a parallelogram link are used to freely tilt left and right, and follow the fluctuation of the surface of the moving fruit and vegetable 3 by tilting up and down and right and left. It is characterized in that the displacement amount C is measured by applying a constant load by one measuring wheel 16.

[0005]

With the above construction, the reference wheel 21, 22 and the measuring wheel 16 are used to calculate the displacement amount C generated by applying a load from the reference point A set by the reference wheel 21, 22 to the measuring wheel 16 from the reference point A. Is continuously measured, so that the measurement is performed on each of the fruits and vegetables 3 moving continuously without stopping the movement or slowing down the moving speed. Therefore, as compared with the conventional method in which the movement of the fruits and vegetables 3 is stopped, the measurement efficiency is greatly improved, and the fruits and vegetables 3 are not damaged.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endless conveyor which is driven by a variable speed motor 2 and rotates in the direction of an arrow. On this conveyor 1, kiwifruit 3 is continuously supplied in a substantially predetermined posture and a constant speed. Conveyed by. Above the conveyor 1, a softness measuring device 4 for measuring the softness of fruits and vegetables (here, kiwi fruit) is provided, and on the side of the conveyor 1, slightly behind the softness measuring device 4. Positioned photoelectric switch 5
Is provided. The softness measuring device 4 and the photoelectric switch 5 are electrically connected to an amplifier (microcomputer) 6 of the measuring device, and the amplifier 6 displays a plurality (three in the drawing) of the results of measurement by the measuring device 4. A lamp 7 is provided.

The above-mentioned softness measuring device 4 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the fixed frame 8 provided in the vertical direction
, A vertically moving frame 11 is supported via a vertically following link (parallel link) including an upper link 9 and a lower link 10, and an upper frame 11a of the vertically moving frame 11 is supported.
The sensor unit 12a is fixed to a displacement sensor 12 which is electrically connected to the amplifier 6 and has a spring therein. Further, one end of the horizontal frame 11b is fixed slightly below the vertical middle part of the vertical movement frame 11, and the other end of the horizontal frame 11b is attached to the vertical frame 11b.
c is fixedly installed in parallel with the vertical movement frame 11 and with its lower end aligned with the lower end of the vertical movement frame 11.

A support tube 13 is vertically supported by the horizontal frame 11b. A vertical movement shaft 14 is inserted through the support tube 13, and an upper end of the vertical movement shaft 14 A measuring weight 15 is detachably attached, and a measuring wheel 16 is supported at a lower end of the vertical moving shaft 14. The vertical frame 11c and the vertically moving frame 11 have a pair of upper and lower left and right follow links 17, 18,
The shafts 17a and 18a are pivotally opposed to each other via shafts 17a and 18a.
A pair of left and right reference wheel support frames 19 and 20 are pivotally attached to the left and right follow links 17 and 18 via shafts 19a and 20a such that the lower interval is slightly smaller than the upper interval. The reference wheels 21, 20 having a larger diameter than the measurement wheels 16 are provided on both reference wheel support frames 19, 20.
22 is supported by a support shaft 23. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reference wheels 21 and 22 are
, The wheels 16, 21, and 22 are displaced into a state in which the wheels 16, 21, and 22 can contact substantially horizontally (FIG. 4) and a state in which the wheels 16, 21 and 22 can contact with inclination (FIG. 5). It is free. Here, the reference point B defined by the reference wheels 21 and 22 is a middle point connecting the lowest points of the reference wheels 21 and 22. In addition, the measurement load weight 15
Is replaceable and may be replaced with a compression spring.

The upper link 9 of the vertical follow-up link has a weight supporting arm 9a extending from the pivotal support position to the fixed frame 8 to the opposite side to the vertical moving frame 11, and the weight supporting arm 9a is attached to the weight supporting arm 9a. , A reference load adjusting weight 24 is slidably provided. This reference load adjusting weight 24 is
The measurement work is performed after sliding along the weight supporting arm 9a to adjust and fix the reference load applied to the reference wheels 21 and 22. The measurement operation is performed by reference wheels 21 and 22 that follow (roll) the surface of kiwifruit 3 (vegetables or the like) placed on the conveyor 1 and continuously moving in a substantially predetermined posture while following (rolling). A reference point B for measuring the displacement is determined, and reference wheels 21 and 22 are set.
A load is applied by the measuring wheel 16 which contacts the kiwifruit 3 while following the kiwifruit 3 at substantially the same position as the measuring point A.
And the displacement C between the measurement point A and the reference point B is measured and detected by the displacement sensor 12 and sent to the amplifier 6 to be converted into data, and the softness of the kiwifruit 3 is continuously measured. It is a decision.

In the apparatus for measuring softness of fruits and vegetables having the above-described structure, kiwifruit 3 is continuously provided on a conveyor 1 which is driven by a variable speed motor 2 and rotates in the direction of an arrow as shown in FIG. The kiwifruit 3 is conveyed at a constant speed after being supplied in a substantially predetermined posture, and the kiwifruit 3 is measured by the softness measuring device 4 in which the reference load applied to the reference wheels 21 and 22 is adjusted by the reference load adjusting weight 24. . The measuring wheel 16 and the reference wheels 21 and 22 contact the moving kiwifruit 3 while following up and down by the upper link 9 and the lower link 10, and as shown in FIG. B is determined, and the measuring wheel 16 presses the kiwifruit 3 from the reference point B with the load of the measuring weight 15 and the skin is depressed to the measuring point A according to its softness, and measured from the reference point B. A displacement amount C to a point A is generated. This displacement C is
When the measuring wheel 16 descends from the reference point B to the measuring point A, the vertical movement shaft 14 descends, and the measuring load weight 15 also descends.
Measured and detected by the movement of a, amplifier (microcomputer) 6
Is input to Then, data processing is performed in the amplifier 6, the measured ripeness of the kiwifruit 3 is determined, and is displayed on any of the display lamps 7.

On the other hand, although not shown, the conveyor 1 is provided with a discharge mechanism for discharging the kiwifruit 3 based on the measurement result measured by the softness measuring device 4. Things are collected. In addition, the photoelectric switch 5 shown in FIG. 1 confirms the kiwifruit 3 which has finished the measurement and issues a command to prepare for the next measurement. The kiwifruit 3 continuously moving by the conveyor 1 has the appearance, shape,
The sizes are different from each other, and the movement postures are slightly different.
Are supported by reference wheel support frames 19, 20 which are pivotally connected to a pair of upper and lower left and right tracking links 17, 18, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left and right tracking links 17, 18 are connected to a shaft 17a,
Since the wheel 18 is freely rotatable left and right around the center 18a, the displacement amount C is accurately measured by faithfully following the surface of the kiwifruit 3 by the rolling of the wheels and the left and right rotation of the left and right following links 17, 18.

Further, the measuring device of the present invention has the above operation,
It has the following features in addition to the action. . The load for obtaining the displacement amount C is the measured load weight 1
5, or by applying a compression spring or the like, the load can be set arbitrarily, and there is versatility. . Since the part that applies the measurement load to the measurement target is a wheel, continuous measurement is possible for the moving target,
Also, the measurement object is not damaged. . Since the reference wheels 21 and 22 and the measurement wheel 16 are arranged in parallel, the setting of the measurement reference point B and the measurement of the displacement C can be performed simultaneously. . As described above, the entire measurement unit moves up and down by the up-and-down tracking links (upper link 9 and lower link 10), and the reference wheels 21 and 22 move left and right by the left and right tracking links 17 and 18 to follow the measurement object. Therefore, high-precision measurement can be performed without being affected by changes in the size or shape of the measurement object, the vertical movement of the conveyor 1, and the like. . The data of the measured displacement C is an amplifier (microcomputer)
6 and output as an electrical signal, it is possible to easily determine the softness (maturity) of the device under test, manage data, control the measuring device, and the like.

[0013]

As described above, according to the apparatus for measuring the softness of fruits and vegetables of the present invention, the fruits and vegetables 3 that move continuously
And two reference wheels 21 and 22 serving as base points B for measuring the amount of displacement.
A measuring wheel 16 for applying a load to the continuously moving fruits and vegetables 3 at a measuring point A from a vertical direction and measuring a displacement amount C, and the two Measurement wheel 1 from reference point B set by reference wheels 21 and 22
6, the softness of the fruits and vegetables 3 is continuously measured by the displacement amount C generated by applying a load at the measurement point A, and the rotation axes of the two reference wheels 21 and 22 and one measurement wheel 16 are measured. Are provided on a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the fruits and vegetables 3 move, and the two reference wheels 21 and 22 and one measurement wheel 16 are connected to the fixed frame 8 by parallel links 9 and 10.
Of the surface of the moving fruit and vegetable 3 is supported by a vertically movable frame 11 pivotally connected to the vertical direction via a left and right follow link 17, 18 connected by a parallelogram link. It follows the fluctuation by vertically moving and tilting left and right and applying a constant load by the one measuring wheel 16 to measure the displacement amount C, so that the surface of each fruit and vegetable 3 moving continuously is measured. And two reference wheels 21, 22 and 1
The measurement wheels 16 follow up and down and tilt left and right,
The vertical displacement amount C can be accurately measured by applying a constant load in the vertical direction by the measurement wheels 16. In addition, the degree of ripeness can be accurately determined without damaging the surface of the fruits and vegetables 3. Therefore, the measurement efficiency and the measurement accuracy can be greatly improved without damaging the fruits and vegetables 3 as compared with the conventional apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the entire measuring device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a measurement unit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the same part.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a state where a reference wheel and a measurement wheel are substantially horizontally contacted.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a state where a reference wheel and a measurement wheel are in contact with each other at an angle.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor 2 Variable speed motor 3 Kiwifruit 4 Softness measuring device 5 Photoelectric switch 6 Amplifier (microcomputer) 7 Indicator lamp 8 Fixed frame 9 Upper link of vertical following link 10 Lower link of vertical following link 11 Vertical frame 12 Displacement sensor 13 Support tube 14 Vertical movement axis 15 Measurement load weight 16 Measurement wheel 17, 18 Left / right follow link 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, 23 Axis 19, 20 Reference wheel support frame 21, 22 Reference wheel 24 Reference load adjustment weight A Measurement Point B Reference point C Displacement

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A by contact while following the surface of the fruit or vegetable to be moved continuously (3), and HajimeSusumu point for displacement measurement (B) and comprising two HajimeSusumu wheels (21, 22), The reference wheel (2
Fruits and vegetables that move between 1, 2 and 22)
(3) has one measuring wheel (16) for measuring a displacement amount (C) by applying a load at a measuring point (A) from a vertical direction , and the two reference wheels (21, 22). measurement point by the measurement wheels (16) from the set reference point (B) by)
Displacement caused by a load is applied in the (A) from <br/> (C), the in softness measuring apparatus fruits or vegetables or the like so as to continuously measure the softness of the fruits or vegetables (3), two above Reference wheel (21,22) and one measuring wheel
The rotation axis of (16) is orthogonal to the direction in which the fruits and vegetables (3) move
And two reference wheels (21, 22) and
And one measuring wheel (16) on a fixed frame (8).
Pivotally pivotable via row links (9, 10)
With the parallelogram link to the vertical frame (11)
Left and right through the linked left and right follow links (17, 18)
Fluctuations in the surface of the moving fruits and vegetables (3), supported in a tiltable manner
Follow up and down and left and right tilts
A constant load is applied by the wheel (16) to calculate the displacement (C).
An apparatus for measuring the softness of fruits and vegetables, characterized in that it is measured.