Fruit sorting apparatus

Abstract

The present invention comprises a main body portion serving as a frame, a driving unit installed in the main body portion, a plurality of cups that circulate within the main body portion by means of the driving unit, a weight measuring unit installed in the main body portion to measure weight, a measuring unit installed in the main body portion on one side of the weight measuring unit, and an operating unit provided in the main body portion to operate so that the cups tilt to one side; The above-described drive unit includes a drive shaft spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, wherein the drive shaft is provided in the cup and inserted into a cup shaft hole, which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction, so that the cup moves in a circulating motion together with the drive shaft in the main body; The present invention relates to a fruit sorting device characterized in that the main body is provided with a slide member extending in the front-rear direction, the cup is provided with a cup pin protruding in the width direction spaced apart from the cup shaft hole, and when the cup is moved on the conveying side, the cup pin contacts the upper surface of the slide member.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fruit sorting device, and more specifically, to a fruit sorting device capable of preventing damage to fruits during the sorting process. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, after harvesting, fruits are sorted and distributed based on their external appearance, such as weight, color intensity, and the presence or absence of blemishes. Among the methods for sorting fruits by grade, there have been cases where selecting based solely on appearance—even if the grade is high—led to errors in determining product value because the taste, including sugar content and acidity, could not be assessed. Therefore, a method has been developed to sort fruits by measuring their appearance, sugar content, and acidity using light such as near-infrared rays without damaging the fruit.

[0003] Conventional fruit sorting devices had the problem of causing damage to the fruit as it fell during the sorting and discharge process, and there was also the problem that the light irradiated for sugar content measurement was interfered with by the cup containing the fruit, making it difficult to measure the sugar content of small fruits in particular. Prior art literature

[0004] Republic of Korea Publication No. 10-2002-0006856 Published Patent Application Republic of Korea Registration No. 10-2504509 Registered Patent Application The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention is proposed to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a fruit sorting device that can prevent damage to the fruit during the sorting process, accurately and quickly measure weight, and measure sugar content even when the fruit is small. means of solving the problem

[0006] For the above purpose, the present invention comprises a main body portion serving as a frame, a driving unit installed in the main body portion, a plurality of cups that circulate within the main body portion by means of the driving unit, a weight measuring unit installed in the main body portion to measure weight, a measuring unit installed in the main body portion on one side of the weight measuring unit, and an operating unit provided in the main body portion to operate so that the cups tilt to one side;

[0007] The above-described drive unit includes a drive shaft spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, wherein the drive shaft is provided in the cup and inserted into a cup shaft hole, which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction, so that the cup moves in a circulating motion together with the drive shaft in the main body;

[0008] The present invention provides a fruit sorting device characterized in that the main body is provided with a slide member extending in the front-rear direction, the cup is provided with a cup pin protruding in the width direction spaced apart from the cup shaft hole, and when the cup is moved on the conveying side, the cup pin contacts the upper surface of the slide member.

[0009] In the above, a plurality of gaps are formed along the longitudinal direction of the slide member, and an operating part is provided in the gaps;

[0010] The above operating member comprises an operating cylinder, a rotating member rotatably provided by a hinge on the rod of the operating cylinder, a connecting member rotatably connected by a hinge to the upper end of the rotating member, and an operating member rotatably coupled by a hinge to the upper end of the connecting member and extended in the front-rear direction;

[0011] The above operating member is characterized by being located in the gap of the above slide member.

[0012] In the above, the cup is characterized by having a concave shape, a plurality of protrusions on the upper surface, and a cup body hole formed on the bottom that penetrates vertically.

[0013] In the above, the cup comprises a second member and a first member coupled to the upper part of the second member and having greater elasticity than the second member; and the projection is characterized by being provided on the first member.

[0014] In the above, it further includes a discharge section and a buffer member;

[0015] The above discharge section includes a downwardly inclined plate and is provided in the main body on one side in the width direction of the above operating section;

[0016] The above buffer member is characterized by being a plate-shaped member coupled to a drive shaft, such that when a cup passes over the upper part of the inclined plate, it passes over the lower part of the cup and its end contacts the inclined plate.

[0017] In the above, the cup is formed in a concave shape with a cup body hole formed vertically through the bottom; the cushioning member is characterized by having a cushioning member hole formed as a through hole positioned below the cup body hole, and another cushioning member hole formed through the bottom of the cup body hole of the cup located behind it.

[0018] In the above, the measuring unit is installed in the main body so as to be located on the upper part of the cup on the transfer side; and the near-infrared rays irradiated from the measuring unit are characterized by being irradiated downward.

[0019] In the above, further including a guide member,

[0020] The above guide member is spaced apart on both sides in the width direction of the slide member and extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the slide member, and is provided in the main body;

[0021] The above-described drive unit comprises a first rotor spaced apart in the width direction and provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the main body, a second rotor spaced apart from the first rotor and spaced apart in the width direction on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the main body, a chain spaced apart in the width direction and wound around the first rotor and the second rotor, and a drive bracket spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the chain, wherein the drive unit shaft extends in the width direction and both sides in the width direction are coupled to the drive bracket;

[0022] The above-described drive bracket is characterized by including bracket extensions located on both sides in the width direction of the guide member when passing through the conveying side, extending through the chain on both sides in the width direction.

[0023] In the above, a cup slide bar is provided at the rear of the main body;

[0024] The above-mentioned cup slide bar is positioned between the slide member and the guide member, extends in the front-rear direction, is spaced apart in the width direction, and is provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction;

[0025] The above-described weight measuring unit comprises a load cell provided in a main body, an installation member coupled to the upper part of the load cell and extending to both sides in the width direction, and an inner member and an outer member respectively provided on both sides in the width direction of the installation member;

[0026] The inner and outer members on both sides are positioned between cup slide bars spaced apart in the front-rear direction, face each other in the width direction, extend in the front-rear direction, and are provided with a portion overlapping in the front-rear direction;

[0027] The lower part of the cup is provided with an outer wall protrusion that protrudes downward and is spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and an inner wall protrusion located inward in the width direction from the outer wall protrusion, spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and spaced apart from the outer wall protrusion in the front-rear direction;

[0028] As the above cup is transported, the outer wall protrusion and the inner wall protrusion are transported in contact with the upper surface of the cup slide bar, and when passing the weight measuring section, the outer wall protrusion contacts the upper surface of the outer member and the inner wall protrusion contacts the upper surface of the inner member so that the weight is measured. Effects of the invention

[0029] The fruit sorting device according to the present invention can prevent damage to the fruit during the fruit sorting process, allows for accurate and rapid weighing, and enables the measurement of sugar content even if the fruit is small. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a fruit sorting device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of section "A" of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section "B" of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view shown in the direction "A" of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is illustrated with some components excluded from FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view shown in the direction "A" of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the operation of an operating part provided in the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a weight measuring unit provided in the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a bottom side perspective view illustrating a cup provided in the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cup illustrated in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is schematically illustrated to explain the buffering member provided in the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] All technical and scientific terms used in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise defined, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. All terms used in the present disclosure are selected for the purpose of further clarifying the present disclosure and are not selected to limit the scope of the rights under the present disclosure.

[0032] Expressions such as "comprising," "having," "having," etc. used in the description of the present invention should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0033] Singular expressions used in the description of the present invention may include the meaning of the plural form unless otherwise stated, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0034] Expressions such as "first," "second," etc., used in the description of the present invention are used to distinguish multiple components from one another and do not limit the order or importance of said components.

[0035] Where in the description of the present invention it is mentioned that a component is "connected" or "combined" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or combined to the other component, or can be connected or combined through a new or different component.

[0036] The fruit sorting device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a fruit sorting device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part "A" of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part "B" of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrated in the direction "A" of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a view excluding some components from FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrated in the direction "A" of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the operation of the operating part provided in the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the weight measuring part provided in the present invention; FIG. 9 is a bottom side perspective view illustrating the cup provided in the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cup shown in FIG. 9; and FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration illustrating the buffer part provided in the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which one side plate in the width direction of a fruit sorting device (100) has been removed.

[0039] In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction is indicated as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the ground is indicated as the width direction. In the front-rear direction, the first rotor (141) is indicated as the front, and the second rotor (143) is indicated as the rear. The section where the cup (200) moves upward (concave surface upward) between the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) is indicated as the transfer side, and the section where the cup (200) moves downward (concave surface downward) from the first rotor (141) to the second rotor (143) is indicated as the return side.

[0041] A fruit sorting device (100) according to the present invention measures the appearance, weight, and sugar content of the fruit, classifies and discharges fruits that meet or exceed a certain standard by weight, and determines that fruits that meet or fall below a certain standard are defective and discharges them separately, thereby separating the product from the defective.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fruit sorting device (100) according to the present invention comprises a main body (110), a driving unit (140), a cup (200), a weight measuring unit (120), a measuring unit (102), an operating unit (160), a discharge unit (130), and a cushioning member (150).

[0043] The above main body (110) serves as the frame of the fruit sorting device (100). The above main body (110) is provided to extend in the front-rear direction.

[0044] The main body (110) is provided with side plates (111) extending in the front-rear direction on the upper sides of both sides in the width direction. The side plates (111) are plate-shaped and are provided facing each other and in parallel. The side plates (111) are provided as a plurality of plate-shaped plates extending in the front-rear direction, so that a plurality of plate-shaped plates may be provided adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. The front-rear sides of the side plates (111) provided on both sides in the width direction of the main body (110) may be formed to extend downward to cover the rotor of the driving unit (140) installed within the main body (110).

[0045] On both sides of the main body (110) in the front and rear directions, a front plate and a rear plate are provided, which are plate-shaped and extend in the vertical direction and face each other in the front and rear directions.

[0046] A slide member (115), a guide member (113), and a cup slide bar (116) are provided on the transfer side of the main body (110).

[0047] The slide member (115) is provided in the form of a rod extending in the front-rear direction. The slide member (115) is provided extending in the front-rear direction from the center of the width direction between the two side plates (111) in the width direction. The slide member (115) is provided in multiple numbers and is provided parallel to each other at the center of the width direction. The slide member (115) is provided between the first rotor (141) of the driving unit (140) and the measuring unit (102). The slide member (115) may be provided between the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) of the driving unit (140) by extending in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The guide member (113) is provided in the form of a rod extending in the front-rear direction. The guide member (113) is spaced apart on both sides in the width direction of the slide member (115) and is provided parallel to the slide member (115). The guide member (113) is provided between the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) of the driving unit (140).

[0049] The cup slide bar (116) is provided in the form of a rod extending in the front-rear direction. The cup slide bar (116) is provided at the rear of the main body (110). The cup slide bar (116) is located at the rear of the slide member (115). The cup slide bar (116) is provided in the front-rear direction between the second rotor (143) of the drive unit (140) and the measuring unit (102). When the slide member (115) is provided between the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) of the drive unit (140), the cup slide bar (116) is located between the slide member (115) and the guide member (113). The cup slide bar (116) is provided in multiple numbers and is provided spaced apart in the width direction and spaced apart in the front-rear direction from the bottom of the cup (200).

[0050] The above drive unit (140) is installed in the above main body (110). The above drive unit (140) comprises a first rotor (141), a second rotor (143), a chain (149), a drive bracket (142), and a drive shaft (147).

[0051] The first rotor (141) is provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the main body (110). In the present invention, the first rotor (141) is described as being provided at the front of the main body (110) as an example. The first rotor (141) is spaced apart in the width direction and provided on both sides in the width direction of the main body (110). The first rotors (141) on both sides in the width direction are coupled to an axis extending in the width direction and rotate as a single unit.

[0052] The second rotor (143) is provided spaced apart from the first rotor (141) on the other side of the main body (110) in the longitudinal direction. In the present invention, the second rotor (143) is described as being provided at the rear of the main body (110) as an example. The second rotor (143) is provided spaced apart from the first rotor (141) in the rear. The second rotor (143) is provided spaced apart in the width direction on both sides of the main body (110) in the width direction. The second rotors (143) on both sides in the width direction are coupled to an axis extending in the width direction and rotate as a single unit.

[0053] The above-described drive unit (140) is rotated by the driving of the motor, with the shaft of the first rotor (141) or the shaft of the second rotor (143) connected to the motor. In the present invention, the shaft of the first rotor (141) is connected to the motor and driven as an example.

[0054] Reference numeral 145, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, represents an auxiliary rotor, which is provided spaced downward from the inner side in the front-rear direction of the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143). The auxiliary rotor (145) acts to increase the vertical distance between the transfer side and the return side.

[0055] The above chain (149) is provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart in the width direction. The chain (149) is provided by winding the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) provided on both sides in the width direction of the main body (110). The chain (149) on both sides in the width direction is provided by winding the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143) respectively. In the drawings of the present invention, the chain (149) is briefly illustrated with a dotted line.

[0056] The above drive bracket (142) is provided in multiple numbers. The drive bracket (142) is provided by being coupled to the chain (149) at regular intervals along the length direction of the chain (149). The drive bracket (142) is located on the upper side of the chain (149) on the transport side. The drive bracket (142) includes a bracket extension (1421) that extends through the chain (149) on both sides in the width direction. When passing through the transport side, the bracket extension (1421) is located on both sides in the width direction of the guide member (113) between the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143).

[0057] In the transfer side, the bracket extension (1421) of the drive bracket (142) is positioned on both sides in the width direction of the guide member (113), so that the cup (200) installed on the drive shaft (147) does not shake in the width direction, and the overall components are driven stably.

[0058] The drive shaft (147) is provided in the form of a rod extending in the width direction. The cross-section of the drive shaft (147) is provided in a circular shape. The drive shaft (147) is provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart along the length direction of the chain (149). The drive shaft (147) is extended in the width direction, and both sides in the width direction are connected to the drive bracket (142).

[0059] The above drive shaft (147) is extended in the width direction and inserted into the cup shaft hole (260), which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction of the cup (200), so that the cup (200) moves in a cyclic manner in the main body (110) together with the drive shaft (147).

[0060] Since both sides of the drive shaft (147) are connected to the drive bracket (142) and the drive bracket (142) is provided with a bracket extension (1421) that extends to face both sides of the guide member (113) in the width direction, shaking of the cup (200) moving together with the drive shaft (147) in the width direction is prevented, allowing for stable movement.

[0061] The above cups (200) are provided in multiple numbers. The above cups (200) are provided in multiple numbers spaced apart along the length direction of the chain (149). The above cups (200) are arranged side by side along the length direction of the chain on both sides in the width direction. The above cups (200) are circulated within the main body (110) by the driving unit (140).

[0062] The above cup (200) is provided in a concave shape. The above cup (200) is provided such that the concave surface faces upward on the transfer side and the concave surface faces downward on the return side. Hereinafter, the cup (200) is described based on the state viewed from the transfer side.

[0063] The cup (200) has a cup body hole (220) formed vertically through the bottom. The cup body hole (220) is formed through the concave center of the cup (200). By forming the cup body hole (220) in the cup (200), interference caused by the cup (200) is minimized even when near-infrared rays are irradiated from the measuring part (102) provided on the upper part of the main body (110) to the fruit (F) contained in the cup (200), thereby making it possible to measure the sugar content of the fruit (F) contained in the cup (200) by irradiating near-infrared rays from the top to the fruit (F).

[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cup (200) is composed of a second member (202) and a first member (201) that is coupled to and provided on the upper part of the second member (202). The first member (201) and the second member (202) are made of different materials.

[0065] The first member (201) has greater elasticity than the second member (202). The first member (201) is made of a material with high elasticity, such as rubber or silicone rubber. The first member (201) is provided with a plurality of protrusions (230) on the concave surface, which is the upper surface of the cup (200).

[0066] A protrusion (230) is provided on the upper surface of the cup (200), so that when a fruit (F) supplied for sorting is received into the cup (200), the protrusion (230) acts as a cushion to prevent damage such as bruising that may occur on the fruit (F).

[0067] The second member (202) is made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. The second member (202) is provided at the bottom of the first member (201) and functions to maintain the shape of the cup (200).

[0068] The above cup (200) is composed of a second member (202) made of a synthetic resin such as nylon and a first member (201) that is coupled to the upper part of the second member (202) and is made of a material with high elasticity such as rubber or silicone rubber, and since the first member (201) is provided with a protrusion (230), the impact applied to the fruit (F) falling into the cup (200) is mitigated, and the shape can be firmly maintained by the lower second member (202).

[0069] A pin hole (210) and a cup shaft hole (260) are formed in the second member (202), and an inner wall (240) and an outer wall (250) are provided on both sides in the width direction of the second member (202).

[0070] The pin hole (210) is formed concavely on both sides in the width direction of the second member (202). A cup pin (203) is inserted into the pin hole (210). The cup pin (203) is inserted into the pin hole (210) formed toward the slide member (115) and is provided to protrude in the width direction. The cup pin (203) contacts the upper surface of the slide member (115) when the cup (200) is moved on the transfer side. The cup pin (203) is provided spaced apart from the cup shaft hole (260). The cup pin (203) is provided spaced rearward from the cup shaft hole (260) on the transfer side.

[0071] The cup shaft hole (260) is formed through in the width direction, spaced apart from the pin hole (210). The cup shaft hole (260) is formed through in the width direction, spaced forward from the pin hole (210). The cup shaft hole (260) is formed as an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction.

[0072] The drive shaft (147) is inserted in the width direction and penetrates the cup shaft hole (260). The cup (200) is inserted into the cup shaft hole (260) and moves in a circulating motion in the main body (110) together with the drive shaft (147) by the driving of the drive unit (140).

[0073] The above cup shaft hole (260) is formed as an elongated hole extending vertically, and a driving shaft (147) is inserted into the cup shaft hole (260), so that the cup (200) can slide vertically according to the weight of the fruit.

[0074] The inner wall (240) is provided on both sides in the width direction of the cup (200). The inner wall (240) is provided on both sides in the width direction of the second member (202). The inner wall (240) is provided with inner wall protrusions (241) that protrude downward from the bottom and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The inner wall protrusions (241) are located between the cup shaft hole (260) and the cup body hole (220) in the front-rear direction.

[0075] The outer wall (250) is provided on both sides in the width direction of the cup (200). The outer wall (250) is provided on both sides in the width direction of the second member (202). The outer wall (250) is provided spaced apart from the inner wall (240) in the width direction. The outer wall (250) is provided with outer wall protrusions (251) that protrude downward from the bottom and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The outer wall protrusions (251) are located further outward in the width direction than the inner wall protrusions (241), are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and are spaced apart from the inner wall protrusions (241) in the front-rear direction. The outer wall protrusions (251) are located on the opposite side of the inner wall protrusions (241) with the cup body cavity (220) as the center in the front-rear direction. In the transfer direction, the outer wall protrusions (251) are located behind the cup body cavity (220) in the front-rear direction.

[0076] A plurality of cup support members (144) are further provided on the drive shaft (147) of the drive unit (140), spaced apart in the width direction. The cup support members (144) are provided extending rearward from the drive shaft (147) on the transfer side. Two cup support members (144) form a pair, and a pair is provided on each side in the width direction centered on the slide member (115). The cup support members (144) forming a pair are provided side by side, spaced apart in the width direction. The cup support members (144) are provided on both sides in the width direction of the cup (200).

[0077] The cup (200) is installed with both sides in the width direction supported by the cup support member (144). The cup support member (144) is provided by being inserted between the inner wall (240) and the outer wall (250) provided on both sides in the width direction of the second member (202).

[0078] On the outer walls (250) on both sides in the width direction of the cup (200), a cup guide portion (270) is formed that is downwardly concave and open in the width direction, and at the end of the cup support member (144), a support projection (1441) is provided that protrudes outward in the width direction from both sides in the width direction of the cup (200) with the cup (200) as the center, so that the cup support member (144) is inserted between the inner wall (240) and the outer wall (250), and the support projection (1441) is inserted into the cup guide portion (270). The support projection (1441) of the cup support member (144) is inserted into the cup guide portion (270), thereby preventing the cup (200) from moving in the width direction.

[0079] The weight measuring unit (120) is installed in the main body (110) to measure the weight of the fruit. The weight measuring unit (120) is connected to a control unit and transmits the measured weight information to the control unit. The control unit determines the measured weight information, and if the weight of the fruit is below a certain standard, the fruit is determined to be defective.

[0080] The weight measuring unit (120) is installed at the rear of the main body (110). The weight measuring unit (120) is installed between the measuring unit (102) and the second rotor (143). The weight measuring unit (120) may also be provided from the rear of the main body (110) to the front of the measuring unit (102).

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, the weight measuring unit (120) comprises a load cell (121), an installation member (123), an inner member (125), and an outer member (127).

[0082] The load cell (121) is provided in the main body (110). The main body (110) is provided with an unillustrated load cell installation part fixed to the main body (110) and spaced downward from the bottom of the cup (200), and the load cell (121) is fixedly installed in the load cell installation part.

[0083] The above-mentioned installation member (123) is coupled to the upper part of the load cell (121). The above-mentioned installation member (123) extends from the upper part of the load cell (121) to both sides in the width direction. Both ends of the above-mentioned installation member (123) in the width direction are bent upward and extended.

[0084] An installation portion (1231) is further provided at the upper end extending upward from both sides in the width direction of the installation member (123). The installation portion (1231) is in the form of a rod extending in the front-rear direction centered on the installation member (123). The installation portion (1231) extends in the front-rear direction, is bent inward in the width direction at the location where the installation member (123) is provided, and is then bent forward to extend. At the center of the installation portion (1231) in the front-rear direction, an upwardly concave groove is formed that penetrates in the front-rear direction from the center of the width direction, and a part of the inner member (125) and the outer member (127) are inserted into the groove.

[0085] The inner member (125) and the outer member (127) are respectively provided on both sides in the width direction of the installation member (123). The inner member (125) and the outer member (127) on both sides are located between the cup slide bars (116) that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0086] The inner member (125) and the outer member (127) are provided as hollow bodies that extend in the front-rear direction and are open downward. The inner member (125) is installed on the upper part of the installation section (1231) that extends forward from both sides in the width direction of the installation member (123), and the outer member (127) is installed on the upper part of the installation section (1231) that extends backward from both sides in the width direction of the installation member (123).

[0087] The inner members (125) and outer members (127) on both sides in the width direction face each other in the width direction, extend in the front-rear direction, and are provided with a portion overlapping in the front-rear direction.

[0088] As the above cup (200) is transported, the outer wall protrusion (251) and the inner wall protrusion (241) are transported in contact with the upper surface of the cup slide bar (116), and when passing the weight measuring part (120), the outer wall protrusion (251) is in contact with the upper surface of the outer member (127) and the inner wall protrusion (241) is in contact with the upper surface of the inner member (125) so that the weight is measured.

[0089] Since the weight is measured by the two inner wall protrusions (241) and the outer wall protrusions (251) each coming into contact with the inner member (125) and the outer member (127), the structure is such that at least three of the two inner wall protrusions (241) and the outer wall protrusions (251) come into contact for measurement, making it possible to measure the weight in any situation.

[0090] The measuring unit (102) is installed on the main body (110) on one side of the weight measuring unit (120). The measuring unit (102) is installed at the rear of the main body (110) so as to be positioned on the upper part of the cup (200) on the conveying side. The measuring unit (102) is provided from the rear of the main body (110) to the front of the weight measuring unit (120) on the conveying side. The measuring unit (102) may be installed between the weight measuring unit (120) and the second rotor (143).

[0091] The above measuring unit (102) comprises a plurality of cameras that photograph a fruit (F) being transported and contained in a cup (200), and a near-infrared irradiation device that irradiates near-infrared rays onto the fruit (F).

[0092] For example, four cameras are installed, and two cameras photograph a cup (200) located on one side in the width direction, and the remaining two cameras photograph a cup (200) located on the other side in the width direction. The cameras photograph the exterior of the fruit (F). The cameras are connected to a control unit and transmit the captured images to the control unit. The control unit judges the captured images, and if the exterior shape (damage, etc.) of the fruit is below a certain standard, the fruit is judged to be defective.

[0093] The above near-infrared irradiation device is installed in a position spaced upward from the cup (200) within the measuring unit (102). The near-infrared rays irradiated from the above near-infrared irradiation device are irradiated downward. Since the near-infrared rays are irradiated downward in the measuring unit (102), even when a small-sized fruit (F) is contained in the cup (200), the near-infrared rays can be irradiated toward the fruit (F) without interference with the cup (200). Additionally, a cup body hole (220) is formed through the concave bottom of the cup (200), and a cushioning member hole (151) is formed in the cushioning member (150) at the location where the cup body hole (220) is formed, so that interference does not occur between the cup (200) and the cushioning member (150).

[0094] The above-described near-infrared irradiation device measures the sugar content of a fruit (F) by irradiating it with near-infrared rays. The method of measuring the sugar content of a fruit by irradiating it with near-infrared rays is a known technology, so a detailed description is omitted. The above-described near-infrared irradiation device is connected to a control unit, and information measured by irradiating near-infrared rays from the above-described near-infrared irradiation device is transmitted to the control unit. The control unit evaluates the near-infrared measurement information, and if the sugar content of the fruit is below a certain standard, the fruit is determined to be defective.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the operating part (160) is provided in the main body part (110) and operates to tilt the cup (200) to one side.

[0096] The above operating part (160) is provided in multiple numbers. Multiple gaps are formed along the longitudinal direction of the slide member (115), and the multiple operating parts (160) are each installed in the multiple gaps formed along the longitudinal direction of the slide member (115). The gaps formed in the slide member (115) may be formed as concave grooves on the upper part of the slide member (115), or they may be formed between the slide members (115) which are provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart from each other.

[0097] The above operating part (160) comprises an operating cylinder (161), a rotating member (163), a connecting member (165), and an operating member (167).

[0098] The above operating cylinder (161) is provided at the lower part of the slide member (115). The operating cylinder (161) is installed in the main body (110) in the front-rear direction and is provided with a rod (1611) that is extended and retracted toward the front.

[0099] The above-mentioned rotating member (163) is rotatably provided to the rod (1611) of the above-mentioned operating cylinder (161) by a hinge (1633). The lower end of the above-mentioned rotating member (163) is rotatably connected to the main body (110) or the slide member (115) by a hinge (1635).

[0100] The above connecting member (165) is rotatably connected to the top of the above rotating member (163) by a hinge (1631).

[0101] The above operating member (167) is rotatably coupled to the upper part of the connecting member (165) by a hinge (1673). The above operating member (167) extends in the front-rear direction. The above operating member (167) is located in the gap of the slide member (115).

[0102] The rear end of the above operating member (167) is rotatably connected to the slide member (115) by a hinge (1671). When the slide members (115) are provided in multiple numbers spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, the rear end of the operating member (167) is rotatably connected to the slide member (115) located at the rear by a hinge (1671). When a gap is formed by a concave groove on the upper part of the slide member (115), the rear end of the operating member (167) is rotatably connected to the slide member (115) by a hinge (1671) at the rear of the groove forming the gap.

[0103] In FIG. 7, when the rod (1611) of the operating cylinder (161) is retracted to the rear ("A" direction), the rotating member (163) rotates clockwise ("B" direction) with the lower hinge (1633) as the rotation center, the connecting member (165) rotates counterclockwise, and the operating member (167) rotates counterclockwise ("C" direction) with the rear hinge (1671) as the rotation center and moves downward.

[0104] When the cup pin (203) is on the upper part of the operating member (167), if the operating member (167) rotates downward as described above, the cup pin (203) is not supported, and the cup (200) is tilted downward at the rear (direction "A" in FIG. 11) due to the weight of the fruit (F) placed on the cup (200) and the cup (200), causing the fruit (F) to be discharged from the cup (200). The discharged fruit (F) is cushioned by the cushioning member (150) described later and discharged downward along the inclined plate (131).

[0105] The discharge section (130) is provided at the lower part of the transfer side of the main body (110). The discharge section (130) is provided on the main body (110) on one side in the width direction of the operating section (160). Multiple discharge sections (130) are provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0106] The above discharge section (130) is formed by including a discharge side section (133) and an inclined plate (131).

[0107] The discharge side portion (133) is provided on both sides in the width direction at the lower part of the transfer side of the main body portion (110). The discharge side portion (133) is plate-shaped and is provided parallel to each other on both sides in the width direction at the lower part of the transfer side of the main body portion (110).

[0108] The inclined plate (131) is provided between the discharge side (133). The inclined plate (131) is provided in a plate shape and is provided to be inclined downward toward the front.

[0109] A conveyor (C) extending in an orthogonal direction is installed in front of each discharge section (130). With the conveyor (C) installed, the fruit (F) discharged from the discharge section (130) is conveyed through the conveyor (C). In FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, reference numeral 104 illustrates an installation bracket provided in front of the discharge section (130) on which the conveyor (C) is installed.

[0110] The above-mentioned installation brackets (104) are provided in multiple numbers spaced apart in the front-rear direction on both sides of the width direction of the main body (110), and a conveyor (C) is installed on the main body (110) via the installation brackets (104). The conveyor (C) is connected to the lower end of the inclined plate (131) of the discharge section (130).

[0111] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 11, when the rear of the cup (200) is tilted downward by the operation of the operating part (160) (in the direction of arrow "A" in FIG. 11), the fruit (F) is discharged from the cup (200), cushioned by the cushioning member (150), and moves downward along the inclined plate (131).

[0112] The cushioning member (150) is made of a sheet-like and flexible material. The cushioning member (150) may be made of a material such as rubber or a fibrous material such as cloth. The cushioning member (150) serves to absorb the impact applied to the fruit when the fruit is removed from the cup (200).

[0113] The above buffer member (150) is provided with its upper portion connected to the drive shaft (147) and extending downward when viewed from the transfer side. In the drawing, the buffer member (150) is shown in a downwardly inclined shape toward the rear relative to the cup (200) for convenience of explanation, but the buffer member (150) is provided in a flexible shape that sags downward due to gravity depending on the moving side and return side positions. When the lower portion of the buffer member (150) is inclined in the forward and backward direction from the transfer side, it is formed to have a length that overlaps with the front of the buffer member (150) located at the rear.

[0114] In the above buffer member (150), a buffer member hole (151) is formed as a through hole so as to be located below the cup body hole (220) of the cup (200), and another buffer member hole (151) is formed through so as to be located below the cup body hole (220) of the cup (200) located at the rear. The buffer member hole (151) is formed in the shape of an elongated hole having a length in the front-rear direction. By forming the buffer member hole (151), interference does not occur when near-infrared rays are irradiated from the measuring part (102).

[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the buffer member (150) is coupled to the drive shaft (147) and is provided so that when the cup (200) passes over the upper part of the inclined plate (131), it passes over the lower part of the cup (200) and its end contacts the inclined plate (131).

[0116] When the cup (200) passes over the upper part of the inclined plate (131), the lower part of the cushioning member (150) catches on the inclined plate (131), and as the cup (200) continues to be transported forward, the lower part comes into contact with the inclined plate (131) and moves forward. As the lower part of the cushioning member (150) comes into contact with the inclined plate (131), the cushioning member (150) passes the lower part of the cup (200) and takes on a shape that is downwardly curved and extended backward.

[0118] The operation of the fruit sorting device (100) according to the present invention will be described below.

[0119] Fruit (F) is supplied to a cup (200) that rotates in a circulating manner at the rear of the fruit sorting device (100), its weight is measured by a weight measuring unit (120), the shape of the fruit (F) that is stored in each cup (200) and moved forward is captured by a measuring unit (102), and near-infrared rays are irradiated onto the fruit (F).

[0120] Fruit (F) is classified from weight measurement information, captured fruit image, and near-infrared information. The weight measurement information, fruit image, and near-infrared information of the fruit are transmitted to the control unit, and the operating unit (160) of the discharge position is operated by a command from the control unit, the cup pin (203) is caught on the operating unit (160), and the cup (200) is tilted downward backward (direction "A" in FIG. 11), so that the fruit (F) is poured out of the cup (200), the shock is absorbed in the buffer unit (150), and it is moved to the discharge unit (130), and discharged to the conveyor belt (C) through the discharge unit (130). Explanation of the symbols

[0122] 100: Fruit sorting device 110: Main body 120: Weight measuring unit 130: Discharge section 140: Driving section 150: Buffer member 160: Actuating part 200: Cups 210: Pin ball 220: Cup body ball 230: Protrusion 240: Inner wall 250: Exterior wall 260: Cup shaft 270: Cup Guide

Claims

Claim 1 The device comprises a main body (110) that serves as a frame, a drive unit (140) installed to allow a rotor spaced apart in the front-rear direction on both sides of the width direction of the main body (110) and a chain (149) that winds the rotor to form a closed circuit to circulate, a plurality of cups (200) connected to the chain (149) of the drive unit (140) and circulating within the main body (110), a weight measuring unit (120) installed on the main body (110) to measure weight, a measuring unit (102) installed on the main body (110) on one side of the weight measuring unit (120) to measure the sugar content of a fruit (F) and photograph its appearance, and an operating unit (160) provided on the main body (110) to operate so that the cup (200) tilts to one side; the drive unit (140) includes a drive shaft (147) that is spaced apart along the length direction and extends in the width direction, with both sides of the width direction connected to the chain (149), and the A drive shaft (147) is provided in a cup (200) and is inserted into a cup shaft hole (260), which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction, so that the cup (200) moves in a circular motion together with the drive shaft (147) in the main body (110); the main body (110) is provided with a rod-shaped slide member (115) extending in the front-rear direction and spaced downward from the drive shaft (147) on the transfer side, and the cup (200) is provided with a cup pin (203) protruding in the width direction and spaced rearward from the cup shaft hole (260), and when the cup (200) moves on the transfer side, the cup pin (203) contacts the upper surface of the slide member (115); a plurality of gaps are formed along the length direction in the slide member (115), and an operating part (160) is provided in the gap; the operating part (160) is located in the gap and is rotatably installed on the slide member (115). It includes an operating member (167);A fruit sorting device (100) characterized in that as the cup (200) moves and the cup pin (203) passes the operating member (167), the operating member (167) rotates downward so that the cup pin (203) is not supported, and the cup (200) tilts downward by rotating due to the weight of the fruit on the cup (200) and the cup (200). Claim 2 In claim 1, the operating part (160) further comprises, in addition to the operating member (167), an operating cylinder (161), a rotating member (163) rotatably provided by a hinge (1633) on the rod (1611) of the operating cylinder (161), and a connecting member (165) rotatably connected by a hinge (1631) to the upper end of the rotating member (163), wherein the operating member (167) extends in the front-rear direction and is rotatably coupled to the upper end of the connecting member (165) by a hinge (1673), characterized in that the fruit sorting device (100). Claim 3 A fruit sorting device (100) characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the cup (200) has a concave shape, has a plurality of protrusions (230) on its upper surface, and has a cup body hole (220) formed vertically through its bottom. Claim 4 In claim 3, the cup (200) is composed of a second member (202) and a first member (201) which is coupled to the upper part of the second member (202) and has greater elasticity than the second member (202); and the protrusion (230) is provided on the first member (201), characterized in that the fruit sorting device (100). Claim 5 A fruit sorting device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a discharge section (130) and a buffer member (150); wherein the discharge section (130) comprises a downwardly inclined plate (131) and is provided on the main body section (110) on one side in the width direction of the operating section (160); and wherein the buffer member (150) is a plate-shaped member coupled to a driving shaft (147) such that when a cup (200) passes over the upper part of the inclined plate (131), the lower part of the cup (200) passes over the lower part of the cup (200) and the end of the buffer member (150) comes into contact with the inclined plate (131). Claim 6 In claim 5, the cup (200) is formed with a concave shape and a cup body hole (220) that penetrates vertically at the bottom; the cushioning member (150) has a cushioning member hole (151) formed as a penetrating hole positioned below the cup body hole (220), and another cushioning member hole (151) formed penetratingly to position below the cup body hole (220) of the cup (200) located behind it, characterized in that the fruit sorting device (100) is characterized in that Claim 7 In claim 6, the measuring unit (102) is installed in the main body (110) so as to be located on the upper part of the cup (200) on the conveying side; and the near-infrared rays irradiated from the measuring unit (102) are irradiated downward, characterized in that the fruit sorting device (100). Claim 8 In claim 1 or 2, the guide member (113) is further included, wherein the guide member (113) is spaced apart on both sides in the width direction of the slide member (115) and extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the slide member (115) and is provided in the main body (110); the driving unit (140) is provided on one side in the length direction of the main body (110) and includes a first rotor (141) spaced apart in the width direction, a second rotor (143) spaced apart from the first rotor (141) and spaced apart in the width direction on the other side in the length direction of the main body (110), a chain (149) spaced apart in the width direction and wound around the first rotor (141) and the second rotor (143), and a driving bracket (142) spaced apart in the length direction and coupled to the chain (149), and the driving unit shaft (147) is extended in the width direction and both sides in the width direction are the A fruit sorting device (100) characterized by being coupled to a drive bracket (142); wherein the drive bracket (142) includes a bracket extension (1421) that extends through a chain (149) on both sides in the width direction and is located on both sides in the width direction of the guide member (113) when passing through the conveying side. Claim 9 In claim 8, a cup slide bar (116) is provided at the rear of the main body (110); The cup slide bar (116) is positioned between the slide member (115) and the guide member (113), extends in the front-rear direction, is spaced apart in the width direction, and is provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction; the weight measuring part (120) includes a load cell (121) provided in the main body part (110), an installation member (123) coupled to the upper part of the load cell (121) and extending to both sides in the width direction, and an inner member (125) and an outer member (127) respectively provided on both sides in the width direction of the installation member (123); the inner member (125) and the outer member (127) on both sides are positioned between the cup slide bar (116) spaced apart in the front-rear direction, face each other in the width direction, extend in the front-rear direction, and are provided with a portion overlapping in the front-rear direction; the lower part of the cup (200) has an outer wall protrusion (251) that protrudes downward and is spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and the A fruit sorting device (100) characterized by having an inner wall protrusion (241) located inward in the width direction from the outer wall protrusion (251), spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and spaced apart from the outer wall protrusion (251) in the front-rear direction; as the cup (200) is transported, the outer wall protrusion (251) and the inner wall protrusion (241) are transported in contact with the upper surface of the cup slide bar (116), and when passing the weight measuring part (120), the outer wall protrusion (251) is in contact with the upper surface of the outer member (127) and the inner wall protrusion (241) is in contact with the upper surface of the inner member (125) so that the weight is measured.

Images