JP6178894B1 - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a sorting device, the weight of an object to be weighed placed in a storage unit is accurately measured while enhancing the expandability of the storage unit. Sorting apparatuses 100 and 200 include a plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2, ... 11-20, 11'-1, 11'-2, ... 11'-16, and weight. The measurement part 3, 3 ', the some detection part 13-1, 13-2, ... 13-20, 13', and the combination determination part 54 are provided. The weight measuring unit is provided separately from the plurality of storage units, and measures the placement weight of the object to be weighed placed in any of the plurality of storage units. The detection unit detects whether or not an object to be weighed is placed in the plurality of storage units. The combination determination unit 54 is configured such that, among the combinations of the second N2 placement storage units selected from the first N1 placement storage units, the total weight of the second N2 objects to be weighed O is the first. A combination that falls within one range R1 is determined as an optimal combination. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that determines which weighing object is to be selected from a large number of weighing objects so that the total weight of a predetermined number of weighing objects becomes a predetermined weight.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus for determining which weighing object is to be selected from a plurality of weighing objects so that the total weight of a predetermined number of weighing objects becomes a predetermined weight. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a predetermined number of objects to be weighed are selected from the objects to be weighed placed in each of a plurality of storage units, the total weight of the predetermined number of objects to be weighed is previously stored. A combination weigher is disclosed that determines a combination of choices that results in a determined weight.

JP-A-9-78992

In the combination weigher described in Patent Document 1, the total weight of the objects to be weighed placed in each of the plurality of storage units is collectively measured in the weighing unit. In such a case, the overall size of the plurality of storage units and the number of storage units are limited to the size of the measuring unit. As a result, it is difficult for the combination weigher of Patent Document 1 to be expanded by increasing the number of objects to be weighed that are candidates for combination.
Moreover, in the combination scale of patent document 1, since the some storage part is arrange | positioned on one weighing pan of a measurement part, the to-be-measured object was mounted in the storage part arrange | positioned at the edge part of the measurement dish. The weighing result of the weight of the object to be weighed changes between the case and the case where the object to be weighed is placed in the storage part arranged at the center of the weighing pan. That is, in the combination weigher of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to accurately measure the weight of the objects to be weighed placed in each storage unit.

  The subject of this invention is measuring the weight of the to-be-measured object mounted in a storage part correctly, making the expandability of a storage part high in the sorting device.

Hereinafter, a plurality of modes will be described as means for solving the problems. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
A sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of storage units, a weight measurement unit, a plurality of detection units, and a combination determination unit. The weight measuring unit is provided separately from the plurality of storage units. The weight measuring unit measures a placement weight which is a weight of an object to be placed placed in any of the plurality of storage units. The plurality of detection units are provided in each of the plurality of storage units. The plurality of detection units detect whether or not an object to be weighed is placed in the plurality of storage units.

  The combination determination unit is configured to select an object to be weighed placed on each of the second placement storage units out of the combination of the second placement storage units selected from the first placement storage unit. The combination in which the total weight is within the first range is determined as the optimal combination. The placement storage unit is a storage unit in which it is detected by the detection unit that an object to be weighed is placed. The second number is equal to or less than the first number.

  In the above sorting apparatus, first, the weight measuring unit measures the placement weight. When an object to be weighed whose placement weight is measured is placed in any of the storage units, the detection unit detects the storage unit on which the object is placed as the placement storage unit. When the number of placement storage units becomes the first, the combination determination unit selects the second placement among the combinations of the second placement storage units selected from the first placement storage unit. A combination in which the total of the placement weights of the objects to be weighed placed in the placement storage units is within the first range is determined as the optimum combination.

  In the above sorting apparatus, the weight measuring unit does not arrange a plurality of storage units on a weighing pan or the like. That is, the weight measuring unit is provided separately from the plurality of storage units. Thereby, said sorting apparatus can measure mounting weight correctly. Further, the number and size of the plurality of storage units can be changed without being limited by the size of the weight measuring unit. That is, the expandability of the plurality of storage units can be increased.

The objects to be weighed placed in the storage unit may be selected from a plurality of objects to be weighed in the weight weighing unit. In this case, the weight weighing unit calculates the difference between the measured values before and after selecting the object to be weighed out of the plurality of objects to be weighed as the placement weight.
As a result, the object to be weighed can be placed on the placement shelf without going through an operation of taking out the object to be weighed and placing the taken-out object to be weighed on the weighing pan of the weight weighing unit. As a result, the work amount of the user of the sorting device can be reduced.

  The above-described sorting device may further include a display unit. The display unit visually indicates the placement storage unit included in the optimum combination. Thereby, it can be visually confirmed which mounting storage part is included in the optimal combination.

  The sorting device may further include a notification unit. The notification unit notifies that the placement weight is a non-standard weight. Thereby, it can avoid mounting the to-be-measured item in a storage part, for example.

  The combination determination unit is associated with each of the consecutive second placement weights when the total of the second placement weights in order of increasing or decreasing placement weight falls within the first range. The combination of the placement storage units may be determined as the optimum combination. Thereby, the 2nd to-be-measured object with comparatively equal weight can be selected.

  Each of the plurality of storage units may be included in any of a plurality of predetermined storage unit areas. In this case, the combination determination unit may determine an optimal combination for each storage unit area. Thereby, the combination determination part can perform the determination of the optimal combination for every storage part area simultaneously.

  The weight of the object to be weighed placed in the storage unit can be accurately measured while enhancing the expandability of the storage unit.

The figure which shows the structure of the selection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of a control part. The figure which shows an example of a weight management table. The flowchart which shows combination determination operation | movement. The figure which shows an example of the weight management table rearranged in order of mounting weight. The figure which shows an example of the weight management table produced | generated after determining an optimal combination. The figure which shows the structure of the selection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

1. First Embodiment (1) Overall Configuration of Sorting Device 100 Hereinafter, the configuration of the sorting device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sorting device according to the first embodiment.
The sorting device 100 according to the first embodiment is used, for example, in a case where a predetermined number of agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits, processed foods of meat, and objects to be weighed O such as canned foods are bagged. Specifically, the sorting device 100 is used to determine which objects to be weighed O should be packaged so that the weight of the objects to be weighed O is within a predetermined weight range.

  The sorting device 100 used in the above-described application includes a mounting shelf 1. The mounting shelf 1 is, for example, a metal (for example, stainless steel) wooden flat shelf for mounting an object O to be packed in a predetermined position of the mounting shelf 1. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the number of mounting shelves 1 is 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sorting apparatus 100 may include a plurality of placement shelves 1 that are arranged in the vertical direction (the normal direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1) or in the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the paper surface in FIG. 1). . The configuration of the mounting shelf 1 will be described in detail later.

The sorting apparatus 100 includes a weight measuring unit 3. The weight measuring unit 3 is, for example, a scale that measures a placement weight that is the weight of the object O to be placed on the placement shelf 1. The weight measurement unit 3 outputs the weight measurement value to the control unit 5. In the sorting apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the mounting shelf 1 is disposed on a weighing pan of the weight weighing unit 3, or the weight measuring unit 3 is disposed in each storage unit (described later) of the mounting shelf 1. The weight measuring unit 3 is provided separately from the mounting shelf 1.
Thereby, the weight weighing unit 3 accurately determines the weight of the object O to be placed on the placement shelf 1 regardless of the position on the placement shelf 1 where the object O is placed. Can be weighed. Further, by separating the weight measuring unit 3 and the mounting shelf 1, as described above, a plurality of mounting shelves 1 are provided, or the size of the mounting shelf 1 is changed, and the mounting shelf 1 The extensibility of can be improved.
Furthermore, by not providing the weight measuring unit 3 in each storage unit of the mounting shelf 1, the sorting device 100 can be made inexpensive. This is because it is not necessary to provide each of the plurality of weight measuring units 3 in the corresponding plurality of storage units.

In the present embodiment, the weight measuring unit 3 measures the weight of a basket in which a plurality of objects to be weighed O are placed (for example, a basket in which vegetables and fruits after harvesting are placed). That is, the weights of the plurality of objects to be weighed O placed in the car are weighed together. A user using the sorting apparatus 100 takes out the object to be weighed O from the car and places it on the mounting shelf 1.
In this case, the placement weight is obtained by subtracting the measurement value of the weight of the car after taking out the measurement object O from the measurement value of the weight of the car before taking out the measurement object O placed in the storage unit. Calculated.
As a result, the user can take out the object to be weighed with a smaller work amount without taking out the object to be weighed O from the basket or the like and placing the taken out object to be weighed O on the weighing pan of the weight weighing unit 3. O can be placed on the placement shelf 1.

  In addition, when it is desired to measure the weight of the object to be measured O with higher accuracy, the object to be weighed O is taken out from the above-mentioned basket and the like, and the taken-out object to be weighed O is placed on the weighing pan of the weight measuring unit 3. The placement weight may be measured by the above operation.

The sorting apparatus 100 includes a control unit 5. The control unit 5 includes, for example, a CPU, a storage device (RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.) and various interfaces (RS-232C). And a communication interface such as an A / D converter and a signal conversion interface such as a D / A converter).
The control unit 5 executes control of each component of the sorting device 100 and various information processing performed in the sorting device 100. Details of the configuration of the control unit 5 will be described in detail later.

(2) Configuration of Mounting Shelf Next, details of the configuration of the mounting shelf 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The mounting shelf 1 has a plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2,... 11-20. The plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2,... 11-20 can be formed, for example, by partitioning the plane of the mounting shelf 1 into partitions as shown in FIG. In addition, the plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2,... 11-20 can be a plurality of containers arranged on the plane of the mounting shelf 1.
In addition, the number of storage units formed in the mounting shelf 1 is not limited to 20, and the way of partitioning the plane of the mounting shelf 1 is changed as appropriate so that more or fewer storage units can be mounted. It can be formed on the shelf 1. Furthermore, the shape of the storage portion is not limited to a rectangle, and may be another shape such as a circle depending on the shape of the object to be weighed O or the like.
By forming the plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2,... 11-20 on the mounting shelf 1, the object to be weighed O can be placed at a fixed position on the mounting shelf 1.

The mounting shelf 1 includes a plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2, ... 13-20. The plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 are provided at the bottoms of the corresponding storage units 11-1, 11-2,. It is a sensor.
The plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 indicate whether or not the object to be weighed O is placed in the corresponding storage units 11-1, 11-2,. Is detected. For example, the plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 generate infrared light during the operation of the sorting device 100, and the infrared light is reflected by the measurement object O. When it is detected that the object is returned to the detection unit, it is detected that the object to be weighed O is placed in the corresponding storage unit 11-1, 11-2,. The detection unit that detects the infrared light reflected by the measurement object O outputs a placement detection signal to the control unit 5.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only one detection unit is arranged in each storage unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of detection units may be arranged in each storage unit. As a result, even when the object to be weighed O moves in the storage unit or is placed at a position different from normal, it can be detected that the object to be weighed O is placed in the storage unit. .
In addition, the detection units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 are not limited to reflective infrared sensors, but are attached to one side surface of the storage units 11-1, 11-2,. And a light receiving unit (for example, a photodiode) attached to a position facing the light source on the other side surface facing the side surface. Also good.

The mounting shelf 1 has a plurality of display units 15-1, 15-2, ... 15-20. The plurality of display units 15-1, 15-2,..., 15-20 are packed with objects to be weighed O placed in the corresponding storage units 11-1, 11-2,. It is an LED lamp, for example, which visually indicates whether or not the object to be weighed O meets the conditions.
Specifically, the plurality of display units 15-1, 15-2,... 15-20 are to be weighed placed in the corresponding storage units 11-1, 11-2,. When the object O is selected as the object to be weighed O to be packed, the lamp is blinked. Thereby, the display units 15-1, 15-2,... 15-20 can visually indicate to the user which placement storage unit the object to be weighed O should be packed.

  In addition, the plurality of display units 15-1, 15-2,... 15-20 include the objects to be weighed O placed in the corresponding storage units 11-1, 11-2,. If the placement weight is out of the predetermined range (second range R2), the lamp is turned on to notify the placement storage unit on which the non-standard object to be weighed O is placed. Good. Thereby, the user can recognize that the non-standard measuring object O is mounted in the mounting storage part in which the lamp is lit. For example, the user can remove the object to be weighed O placed on the placement storage unit whose lamp is lit from the placement storage unit.

(3) Configuration of Control Unit Next, details of the configuration of the control unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit. Note that some or all of the components and functions of the control unit 5 described below may be realized by a program stored in the storage device of the control unit 5.
The control unit 5 includes a specifying unit 51. The specifying unit 51 specifies a storage unit (referred to as a mounting storage unit) on which the object to be weighed O is placed among the plurality of storage units 11-1, 11-2, ... 11-20. The identification unit 51 identifies the placement storage unit as follows, for example.

First, in the control unit 5, an individual address is given to each of the plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2, ... 13-20. For example, by connecting each of the plurality of detection units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 to different connection terminals of the control unit 5, individual addresses can be given.
When the specifying unit 51 receives the placement detection signal, the specifying unit 51 specifies the address from which the placement detection signal is transmitted (for example, specifies from which connection terminal it is transmitted) to which storage unit. It is possible to specify whether the object to be weighed O is placed (that is, the placement storage unit).

  The control unit 5 includes a weight management unit 52. The weight management unit 52 manages the placement storage unit specified by the specification unit 51 and the placement weight measured by the weight measurement unit 3 in association with each other. In the present embodiment, the weight management unit 52 manages the placement storage unit and the placement weight in association with each other using a weight management table T as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the weight management table.

In the weight management table T shown in FIG. 3, the placement weights corresponding to the addresses A1, A2, A4, A6, A9, A12, and A19 have placement weights W1, W2, W4, W6, W9, W12 and W19 are associated with each other. This is because the loading storage unit (for example, the storage units 11-1, 11-2, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 11-12, 11-29) to which the address is assigned is weighted. It means that the objects to be weighed O of W1, W2, W4, W6, W9, W12 and W19 are placed.
On the other hand, the placement weight columns of the addresses A3, A5, A18, and A20 are blank. This is an empty storage unit in which the storage units assigned to these addresses (for example, the storage units 11-3, 11-5, 11-18, and 11-20) do not place the objects to be weighed O. It means that there is. In addition, “0” may be associated with the address of the storage unit on which the object to be weighed O is not placed.

  In the column of “selected storage section” of the weight management table T, as will be described later, the optimum combination (described later) of the placement storage sections determined by the combination determining section 54 (described later) is shown. For example, an identifier (for example, a number “1”) is assigned to the field corresponding to the address of the placement storage unit included in the optimal combination.

  The weight management unit 52 uses the weight management table T as described above to manage the placement and storage unit and the placement weight of the object to be weighed O placed on the placement and storage unit. It is possible to efficiently associate and manage parts and placement weights.

  The control unit 5 includes a combination determination unit 54. The combination determination unit 54 determines the combination of the second N2 placement storage units as the optimum combination such that the total weight of the second N2 objects to be weighed O is within the first range R1. . The method for determining the optimum combination will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 5 includes a notification unit 55. The notification unit 55 generates a notification sound using a speaker or the like provided in the control unit 5 when the weight of the object to be weighed O to be placed is out of the standard (outside the second range). Thereby, it can avoid mounting the to-be-measured object O in the accommodating parts 11-1, 11-2, ... 11-20.

The control unit 5 includes a display control unit 56. The display control unit 56 controls the display state of the lamps of the plurality of display units 15-1, 15-2,.
For example, when the placement weight outside the second range R2 is stored in the “placement weight” column of the weight management table T, the display control unit 56 places the placement weight outside the second range R2. A display unit control signal for blinking the display unit is output to the display unit corresponding to the storage unit assigned to the address associated with the weight. Thereby, the user can visually confirm the placement storage unit in which the non-standard workpiece O is placed by mistake.
On the other hand, when an identifier is assigned to the column “selected storage unit” of the weight management table T, the display control unit 56 corresponds to the storage unit assigned to the address to which the identifier is assigned. A display unit control signal for lighting the display unit is output to the display unit. Thereby, the user can confirm visually which mounting storage part is contained in the optimal combination.

(4) Operation of Sorting Device Next, the operation (combination determination operation) of the sorting device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a combination determination operation in the sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment.
First, the user inputs conditions for determining the optimum combination using input means such as a keyboard or a mouse of the control unit 5 (step S1). For example, the set value of the second N2 that represents the number of placement storage units included in the optimum combination, the set value of the first range R1 that represents the total weight of the objects to be weighed O to be packed, and the objects to be weighed The set value of the second range R2 representing the standard of the weight of O and the set value of the first N1 representing the number of placement storage units for which the optimum combination determination process (step S8 described later) is started are input. To do. The input installation value of each parameter is stored in the storage unit 53.

  The first N1 is preferably set to a value greater than or equal to the second N2. This is because if the first piece N1 is smaller than the second piece N2, the optimum combination of the second piece N2 placement storage units cannot be determined.

After setting the parameters, the user takes out one object O from the basket in which the object O is put (step S2). The weight management unit 52 and the notification unit 55 input the weight measurement values before and after the object O is taken out from the cage by the user from the weight measurement unit 3, and weigh (calculate) the weight of the taken object O. (Step S3).
The weight management unit 52 and the notification unit 55 subtract the weight measurement value after the object O is extracted from the car from the weight measurement value before the object O is extracted from the car, and take out the object to be measured. Weigh the object O (ie, subtractive weighing).

  When the weight of the object to be weighed O is outside the set second range R2 (in the case of “Yes” in step S3), the notification unit 55 generates a notification sound, and the object to be weighed O is out of specification. This is notified to the user (step S4). The user who has heard the notification sound takes another object to be weighed O from the basket and weighs it without placing the object to be weighed O determined to be out of specification in the storage unit. That is, the above steps S2 to S4 are repeated until the user takes out the object O to meet the standard.

On the other hand, when the weight of the taken object O is within the second range R2 (in the case of “No” in step S3), no notification sound is generated, so that the user places the object O to be placed. The taken-out object O is placed in an empty storage portion that has not been placed (step S5).
When the object to be weighed O is placed on the storage unit, the specifying unit 51 specifies the address of the source of the placement detection signal generated when the object to be weighed O is placed. The weight management unit 52 records the weight of the object O calculated in step S3 as the placement weight in the “placement weight” column of the weight management table T corresponding to the address identified by the identification unit 51. To do. As a result, the placement storage unit on which the taken object O is placed is associated with the placement weight of the object O (step S6).

  In step S5, when an object to be weighed O that is out of specification (weight is out of the second range R2) is mistakenly placed on the placement storage unit, the display control unit 56 moves to the placement storage unit. Turn on the corresponding display. When the user who confirms the lighting of the display unit takes out the non-standard object to be weighed O from the mounting storage unit, the specifying unit 51 sets the address of the mounting storage unit where the output of the mounting detection signal is stopped. Identify. The weight management unit 52 deletes the weight of the object to be weighed O associated with the address of the specified placement storage unit from the weight management table T. Thereby, the storage unit after the non-standard object to be weighed O is removed becomes an empty storage unit.

After associating the placement storage unit with the placement weight, the combination determination unit 54 checks whether or not the placement weight of the first piece N1 is recorded in the “placement weight” column of the weight management table T. (Step S7).
When the number of placement weights recorded in the weight management table T is smaller than the first N1 (in the case of “No” in step S7), the optimum combination determination process in step S8 is not executed, and thus a plurality of displays The parts 15-1, 15-2, ... 15-20 do not blink.
The user who has confirmed that the display units 15-1, 15-2,..., 15-20 do not blink for a long time (or more than the time when the optimum combination should be determined) Is removed from the basket and placed in an empty storage section. That is, the above steps S2 to S7 are repeated until the number of placement storage units becomes the first N1.

  On the other hand, when the placement weight of the first N1 is recorded in the “placement weight” column of the weight management table T (in the case of “Yes” in step S7), the combination determination unit 54 Optimum combination of placement weights in which the placement weight of the second piece N2 is selected from the placement weights of the first piece N1 recorded in the first and the total of the placement weights of the second piece N2 is within the first range. Is determined (step S8). There are the following two methods for determining the optimum combination of placement weights in step S8.

  The first is to select and sum the second “N2” values of the “placement weight” values recorded in the weight management table T, and the first of the total placement weights of the selected combination. The combination of the placement weights whose total placement weight is within the first range is determined as the optimum combination. In this case, even if there is a variation in the weight of the objects to be weighed O to be packed, the total weight of the second N2 objects to be weighed O is within the first range R1. The combination can be determined.

The second is a combination of the second N2 objects to be weighed O having relatively close weights, and the total weight of the second N2 objects to be weighed O is within the first range R1. Is an optimal combination.
Specifically, first, the weight management unit 52 rearranges the weight management table T in order of increasing or decreasing placement weight. For example, in the weight management table T shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the loaded weight is larger in the order of W4>W19>W2>W6>W9>W12> W1. In this case, when the weight management table T is rearranged in descending order of the loaded weight, for example, a new weight management table T ′ as shown in FIG. 5 is generated. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a weight management table rearranged in the order of placement weight.

Next, the combination determination unit 54 sequentially calculates the total of the placement weights of the second N2 that are consecutive in the order of the placement weight in the descending order or the smallest placement weight. For example, when the second piece N2 is set to 5 and the optimum combination is determined using the weight management table T ′ shown in FIG. To do.
After calculating the total of the mounting weight combinations, the combination determining unit 54 determines the predetermined mounting weight in the first range among the mounting weight combinations of the second N2 that are consecutive in descending order. The combination of the placement weights when the value is the closest to the value (for example, the standard weight for bagging) is determined as the optimum combination of the placement weights.
As described above, it is possible to make a bag including the second N2 objects to be weighed O having a small difference in weight by determining the optimum combination of the placement weights in the order of increasing or decreasing order. it can.

After determining the optimum combination of the placement weights, the combination determination unit 54 assigns an identifier to the “selected storage portion” column of the weight management tables T and T ′ corresponding to the placement weights included in the determined optimum combination. Give.
For example, in the weight management table T ′ shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the combination of W19, W2, W6, W9, and W12 is the optimum combination of placement weights, for example, “selection” as shown in FIG. A new weight management table T ″ in which “1” is assigned as an identifier to the “accommodated storage section” is generated. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a weight management table generated after determining the optimum combination.

  After determining the optimum combination of the placement storage units as described above, the display control unit 56 sets the storage unit address assigned with the identifier in the “selected storage unit” column of the weight management table T ″, for example, And addresses A19, A2, A6, A9, and A12. The display control unit 56 displays the display units 15-19 and 15-2 corresponding to the storage units 11-19, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-12 to which these addresses are assigned. , 15-6, 15-9, 15-12 are blinked (step S9).

A user who visually confirms that the display units 15-19, 15-2, 15-6, 15-9, and 15-12 are blinking is placed on the placement storage units 11-19 corresponding to these display units. 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-12 are taken out from the objects to be weighed O and packed in one bag (step S10).
In this way, it is possible to make a bag filled with the total weight of the second N2 (for example, five) objects to be weighed O having an optimum weight within the first range R1.

When the object to be weighed O is taken out from the placement storage units 11-19, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, 11-12, the detection units 13-19, 13-2 arranged in the storage unit, 13-6, 13-9, and 13-12 stop the output of the placement detection signal. At this time, the specification unit 51 specifies the address of the detection unit from which the output of the placement detection signal is stopped, and outputs the specified address to the weight management unit 52. Thereafter, the weight management unit 52 erases the identifier assigned to the “selected storage unit” of the weight management table T ″ corresponding to the address of the detection unit from which the output of the placement detection signal is stopped.
After that, the display control unit 56 displays the display units 15-19, 15-2 corresponding to the storage units 11-19, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, 11-12 from which the object to be weighed O is taken out. 15-6, 15-9, and 15-12 are turned off.

After taking out the object to be weighed O, the control unit 5 determines whether or not to end the combination determining operation of the sorting device 100 (step S11). For example, when the user instructs the end of the combination determination operation using the control unit 5 (in the case of “Yes” in step S11), the combination determination operation ends.
On the other hand, when the end of the combination determination operation is not instructed (in the case of “No” in step S11), a new object to be weighed O is placed in an empty storage portion as necessary, and the above-described step S2 is performed. ˜S11 is continuously executed.

  When the above-described steps S1 to S11 are executed in the control unit 5, the sorting device 100 can determine which placement storage unit among the placement storage units (of the first N1) on which the objects to be weighed O are placed. If the object to be weighed O is taken out from the above, it can be automatically determined whether or not the total weight of the objects to be weighed O becomes a value within a predetermined range (first range R1).

2. 2nd Embodiment In said 1st Embodiment, taking-out of the to-be-measured object O from the optimal accommodation mounting part was performed by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the sorting apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, the object to be weighed O is automatically taken out from the optimally placed placement storage unit. The configuration of such a sorting apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sorting device according to the second embodiment.
The sorting apparatus 200 includes a plurality of storage units 11′-1, 11′-2,... 11′-16. The plurality of storage units 11′-1, 11′-2,... 11′-16 of the present embodiment are the storage units 11-1, 11-2,... 11-20 according to the first embodiment. In contrast, a motor (not shown) or the like connected to the control unit 5 ′ can be tilted in a direction in which the object to be weighed O is slid down toward a transfer unit 17 ′ described later.

  The sorting apparatus 200 includes a transport unit 17 '. The conveyance unit 17 ′ is, for example, a belt conveyor that conveys the object to be weighed O on the conveyance unit 17 ′ in the first direction indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 7. Since the sorting device 200 includes the transport unit 17 ′, the object to be weighed O taken out (slid down) from the storage unit is packed by, for example, the end of the transport unit 17 ′ by the transport unit 17 ′. Can be automatically transported to the workplace.

The sorting device 200 includes a weight weighing unit 3 ′, a control unit 5 ′, and a detection unit 13 ′. These configurations and functions are the same as those of the weight measurement unit 3, the control unit 5, and the detection unit according to the first embodiment. Since the units 13-1, 13-2,... 13-20 are basically the same, the description thereof is omitted.
The sorting apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 7 does not have a configuration corresponding to the display units 15-1, 15-2,... 15-20 of the first embodiment. The sorting apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may also have a configuration corresponding to the display unit of the first embodiment.

The operation of the sorting apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be briefly described. In the sorting apparatus 200, the first N1 objects to be weighed O are stored in the plurality of storage units 11′-1, 11′-2,... 11′-16 in the same manner as the sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. After determining the optimum combination of the second N2 placement storage units, the control unit 5 ′ tilts the placement storage unit included in the optimal combination. As a result, the object to be weighed O placed on the placement storage unit included in the optimum combination is automatically taken out from the placement storage unit to the transport unit 17 ′.
The second N2 objects to be weighed O taken out from the placement storage unit are transported in the first direction by the transport unit 17 ′ and finally automatically transported to the bagging work place.

  As described above, the sorting device 200 includes the plurality of storage units 11′-1, 11′-2,... It is possible to automate not only the determination of the combination but also the subsequent work (removal and conveyance of the object to be weighed O).

3. Other Embodiments Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
For example, the order of processing and the specific operation in the determination operation of the optimum combination can be changed as appropriate as long as the optimum combination result can be calculated.

  The mounting shelf 1 of the first embodiment and the plurality of storage units 11′-1, 11′-2,... 11′-16 of the second embodiment have a surface including a detection unit. It may be waterproof. For example, waterproofing can be performed by applying a waterproof sheet, a waterproof film, or the like to the surface of the mounting shelf 1 or the surfaces of the plurality of storage units 11'-1, 11'-2, ... 11'-16. As a result, when the mounting shelf 1 or the storage unit is soiled or a residue from the object to be weighed O (for example, skin of vegetables or fruits) adheres to the surface of the mounting shelf 1 or the storage unit, The mounting shelf 1 and the storage unit can be cleaned.

  In 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the mounting to the accommodating part of the to-be-measured object O was made | formed by the user's manual work. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the object to be weighed O may be automatically placed in the storage unit using a robot arm or the like.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the non-standard object to be weighed O whose weight is out of the second range is not placed in the storage unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in particular, for an object to be weighed whose weight is larger than the second range R2, for example, a part of the object to be weighed O is removed by cutting or the like so that the weight is within the second range. It is good also as the to-be-measured object O which mounts O in a storage part again.

  In 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, it does not determine in particular about the standard of the to-be-measured object O mounted in each accommodating part 11-1 to 11-20, 11'-1 to 11'-16. It was. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the standard of the object to be weighed O that can be placed for each storage unit may be determined. For example, a high-quality (for example, good shape) object to be weighed O is placed and stored in the storage units 11-1 to 11-7, 11'-1 to 11'-5 (referred to as storage unit area A). In the sections 11-8 to 11-14 and 11'-6 to 11'-10 (referred to as storage section area B), a medium-weight object O is placed, and the storage sections 11-5 to 11-20, 11′-11 to 11′-16 (referred to as a storage area C) may be placed with a low-quality object (for example, the object O is bent).

  In this case, the combination determination unit 54 may determine the combination of the objects to be weighed O for each of the storage unit areas A to C. Specifically, for example, the combination determining unit 54 includes a predetermined number of objects to be weighed O from objects to be weighed placed in the storage units 11-1 to 11-7 and 11'-1 to 11'-5. Is selected, and a predetermined number of objects to be weighed O are selected from the objects to be weighed placed in the storage units 11-8 to 11-14 and 11'-6 to 11'-10, and the storage unit 11-15 is selected. A predetermined number of objects to be weighed O may be selected from objects to be weighed placed on ˜11-20, 11′-11 to 11′-16.

  Thereby, the combination determination part 54 can determine the optimal combination for every quality (every storage part area AC) of the to-be-measured object O. FIG. Further, as described above, by dividing the storage units 11-1 to 11-20 and 11′-1 to 11′-16 into a plurality of storage unit areas A to C, for example, different quality (storage unit area A The determination of the optimal combination of the objects to be weighed O (for each C) can be performed simultaneously.

  The present invention is widely applied to a sorting apparatus that determines which weighing object is to be selected from a large number of weighing objects so that the total weight of a predetermined number of weighing objects becomes a predetermined weight. it can.

100, 200 sorter 1 Loading shelf 11-1, 11-2, ... 11-20 Storage part (mounting storage part)
11'-1, 11'-2, ... 11'-16 storage part (mounting storage part)
13-1, 13-2, ... 13-20 detector 13 'detectors 15-1, 15-2, ... 15-20 display unit 17' transport unit 3, 3 'weight weighing units 5, 5 'Control unit 51 Identification unit 52 Weight management unit 53 Storage unit 54 Combination determination unit 55 Notification unit 56 Display control unit A1, A2, ... A20 Address N1 First N2 Second R1 First range R2 Second range O Objects to be weighed T, T ', T''Weight management tables W1, W2, ... W20

Claims (5)

A plurality of storage units;
A weight measuring unit that is provided separately from the plurality of storage units, and that measures a placement weight that is a weight of an object to be weighed placed in any of the plurality of storage units;
A plurality of detection units that are provided in each of the plurality of storage units and detect whether or not the object to be weighed is placed in the plurality of storage units;
The first and second placement storage units selected from the first placement storage unit that is the storage unit in which the detection unit detects that the object to be weighed is mounted. A combination determining unit that determines, as an optimal combination, a combination in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed placed in each of the second placement storage units falls within the first range, ,
Bei to give a,
The combination determination unit is configured to perform the second previous description in the case where the sum of the second previous placement weights in the descending order of the placement weight is within the first range. A combination of the above-described storage units associated with each of the installed weights is determined as the optimal combination;
Sorting device. The object to be weighed placed in the storage unit is selected from a plurality of objects to be weighed collectively in the weight weighing unit,
The weight weighing unit calculates the difference between the measured values before and after taking out the object to be measured by selecting from the plurality of objects to be weighed, as the set weight.
The sorting apparatus according to claim 1.   The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that visually indicates a placement storage unit included in the optimal combination.   The sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that the placement weight is a non-standard weight. Each of the plurality of accommodating portions, included in one of a plurality of housing portions areas previously determined, the combination determining unit determines the optimum combination for each housing unit area, more of claims 1-4 The sorting apparatus according to Crab.

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