Apparatus for optically analyzing products such as fruit having indirect illumination

Abstract

An apparatus for optically analyzing products such as fruit for automatic sorting, includes a device ( 1, 2 ) for conveying the products in a continuous line in a longitudinal direction, at least one station for optically analyzing the external surface of the products, a device for illuminating the products having at least one illumination chamber ( 30 ) through which the conveying device ( 1, 2 ) passes and which is provided with at least one light source ( 26, 28 ) arranged above the products and adapted to provide indirect illumination of the products by a diffuse light prevailing in the illumination chamber ( 30 ). At least one screen ( 27 ) is arranged between each light source ( 26, 28 ) and each conveying line ( 1, 2 ) to protect the products from debris that might originate from the light source ( 26, 28 ).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an optical analysis device for optical analysis of products, such as fruits and vegetables, for automatic sorting of the products. Background technique [0002] Known optical analysis devices include: [0003] - conveying device, which conveys the products in continuous rows in the longitudinal direction relative to the fixed frame; [0004] - at least one optical analysis station for optical analysis of the outer surface of the product, comprising at least one imaging device fixed on the frame and whose optical axis is oriented towards the product conveyed by the conveying device; [0005] - Illumination means for illuminating the product being conveyed in train through each optical analysis station and oriented towards the product so as to illuminate the product (eg WO01 / 01071). The images are stored and analyzed by a processing unit (such as a computer), which can calculate the data required for sorting the products based ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, this solution is unsatisfactory, since the placement of such relatively fragile optical and / or electrical components in the aggressive and humid environment of the delivery device should be avoided

Furthermore, the installation of these transverse optics poses problems due to the presence of other transverse mechanical elements of the conveyor which also lead to a reduction in the quality of the illumination

[0007] Second, it has been found that existing lighting devices illuminate the product so intensely that it cannot be used in practice to produce ingested images that can accurately analyze changes in product brightness

[0008] Thirdly, the existing lighting device is closely placed above the product and directly shines on the product, which causes the surface of the product to be heated, thereby easily causing the product to deteriorate, especially when the product is a perishable fruit such as peaches, pears, etc.

[0009] Fourth, existing lighting fixtures are relatively fragile and partially made of easily broken glass pieces

As a result, the lamp can break unnoticed and cause dangerous debris to fall on the product

This problem is exacerbated in the case of food products where such crumbs could cause harm to the consumer and therefore cannot be permitted

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