Optical sorter

Abstract

An optical sorter has an inspection unit that performs optical inspection on a granular object conveyed by a conveyance unit, a determination unit that determines whether the granular object is a good product or a defective product based on the optical inspection by the inspection unit, an ejector control unit that has a plurality of ejector nozzles and blows compressed air from the ejector nozzles toward the defective product to sort the defective product and the good product, and a sorting strength setting unit that can set a sorting strength in the ejector control unit, the sorting strength being composed of a plurality of sorting strength levels, and the sorting strength setting unit being able to preset a plurality of action setting parameters that control actions of the ejector nozzles for each of the sorting strength levels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an optical sorter in which a user can easily perform operation setting of an ejector nozzle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, in an optical sorter, in order to remove a grain that is judged as a defective product, compressed air is sprayed from an ejector nozzle to the grain that is judged as a defective product to remove it. In a case where a high-quality grain is obtained after sorting by desiring to reliably remove a defective product, it is sufficient to blow compressed air to a defective product over a long time and a wide range. However, if this is done, a good product is removed by the involvement of compressed air, and the yield is reduced. Therefore, in a case where a high yield is obtained by desiring to reduce the involvement of the above-mentioned good product, it is set to blow compressed air to a defective product over a short time and a narrow range (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4206522 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the above-mentioned conventional optical sorter, operation setting of an ejector nozzle can be performed for each item such as a delay time and a spray time, but when adjusting the level of a yield, it is necessary to perform setting by a specialized maintenance engineer spending time. For example, depending on whether it is set to a high yield or further sorting to a normal or high quality, a professional maintenance engineer must repeatedly perform trial and error for each item, and spend time to perform operation setting of an ejector nozzle. Therefore, there is a case where a general user cannot easily perform setting.

[0008] Therefore, the present application relates to an optical sorter in which a user can easily perform operation setting of an ejector nozzle.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] (1) An optical sorter characterized by comprising: an inspection unit that performs optical inspection on a granular object conveyed by a conveyance unit; a determination unit that determines whether the granular object is a good product or a defective product based on the optical inspection by the inspection unit; an ejector control unit that has a plurality of ejector nozzles and blows compressed air from the ejector nozzles toward the defective product to sort the defective product and the good product; and a sorting strength setting unit that sets a sorting strength in the ejector control unit, the sorting strength being composed of a plurality of sorting strength levels, and that presets a plurality of action setting parameters for controlling actions of the ejector nozzles for each of the sorting strength levels.

[0011] (2) The optical sorter according to claim 1, wherein the ejector control unit can make the compressed air injection ranges of the plurality of ejector nozzles different according to the plurality of sorting strength levels.

[0012] (3) The optical sorter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejector control unit has a defect region determination unit that can determine a defect region in the defective product, and the defect region determination unit can perform a thinning process on region defect pixels that are continuous in a lateral direction, wherein the thinning process is a process of leaving a center line portion of the region defect pixels as defect pixels.

[0013] (4) The optical sorter according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of action setting parameters include at least an injection time of the ejector nozzles and an overlap value that is a width of an overlap region that straddles injection ranges of adjacent ejector nozzles as a boundary line therebetween, and the ejector control unit makes the adjacent ejector nozzles perform an injection action together in a case where at least a part of the defect region is located in the overlap region.

[0014] (5) The optical sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting strength setting unit is connected to a setting input unit through which a user of the optical sorter can select the sorting strength levels, and can adjust a yield rate according to the selected sorting strength levels.

[0015] (6) The optical sorter according to claim 5, wherein the setting input unit can perform a preset operation of the action setting parameters for each of the sorting strength levels.

[0016] (7) The optical sorter according to claim 6, wherein the setting input unit can perform a setting without performing a preset operation of the action setting parameters in other sorting strength levels, according to a preset operation of the action setting parameters in one sorting strength level.

[0017] Inventive Effects

[0018] According to the invention of the above (1), the granular object that is a defective product can be removed by the plurality of ejector nozzles controlled in accordance with the sorting strength level set by the sorting strength setting section. Further, the sorting strength level is configured to be able to preset the plurality of action setting parameters that control the action of the ejector nozzles for each of the plurality of sorting strength levels. Therefore, it is not necessary to spend time to perform the action setting of the ejector nozzles as in the past, and the user himself / herself can easily perform the setting of the optical sorter in accordance with the yield or quality required by the user.

[0019] According to the invention of the above (2), the ejecting range of the compressed air of the plurality of ejector nozzles can be adjusted in accordance with the plurality of sorting strength levels. Thereby, the defective product can be appropriately sorted and removed in accordance with the yield or quality required by the user.

[0020] According to the invention of the above (3), the defective area in the defective product can be determined, and the thinning process of reserving the center line portion of the area defective pixel as the defective pixel is performed for the area defective pixel that is continuous in the lateral direction. By performing such a process, the ejecting range of the compressed air of the plurality of ejector nozzles can be reduced, and the yield can be improved.

[0021] According to the invention of the above (4), as the action setting parameter for the ejector nozzle, at least the ejecting time of the ejector nozzle and the overlap value that is the width of the overlap area that straddles the ejecting ranges of the adjacent ejector nozzles across the boundary line therebetween can be set. Further, in a case where at least a part of the defective area in the granular object enters the above overlap area, the two adjacent ejector nozzles eject together. Thereby, the ejecting range of the compressed air can be adjusted by adjusting the overlap value, and the defective product can be sorted and removed in accordance with the yield or quality required by the user.

[0022] According to the invention of the above (5), the user of the optical sorter can select the sorting strength level using the setting input unit. For example, by the operation screen as shown in Figure 4 , the sorting strength level can be easily selected in accordance with the yield or quality required by the user.

[0023] According to the invention of the above (6), the maintenance engineer or the like can easily preset the action setting parameter for each sorting strength level from the operation screen as shown in Figure 10

[0024] ​According to the invention of the above (7), the operation setting parameters in the other sorting intensity levels are automatically set based on the prescribed setting rule by presetting the operation setting parameters in one sorting intensity level. With this configuration, the troublesome operation of presetting the operation setting parameters for all the sorting intensity levels respectively can be omitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a control processing unit of an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the outline of sorting intensity levels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the display mode of a sorting intensity level adjustment screen in a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the image processing of grains performed when determining the ejection area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing each operation setting parameter and ejection area used in the first sorting using an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Sorting intensity levels 5 to 3)

[0031] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram showing each operation setting parameter and ejection area used in the first sorting using an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Sorting intensity levels 2, 1)

[0032] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram showing each operation setting parameter and ejection area used in the second sorting and third sorting using an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Sorting intensity levels 5 to 3)

[0033] Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram showing each operation setting parameter and ejection area used in the second sorting and third sorting using an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Sorting intensity levels 2, 1)

[0034] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the display mode of a maintenance engineer setting screen in a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] An embodiment of the optical sorter according to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the optical sorter 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control processing unit of the optical sorter 1.

[0036] Structure of Optical Sorter

[0037] As shown in Figure 1 , the optical sorter 1 is provided with, in the machine frame 2, a chute 4 that serves as a conveying unit for the grains 100, which is inclined at an angle of about 60 degrees from the horizontal position to convey the grains 100, a storage tank 5 for storing the grains 100, a vibrating feeder 6 for carrying the grains 100 from the storage tank 5 to the chute 4, optical detection sections 7a, 7b that are arranged above and below the falling trajectory of the grains 100 falling from the lower end of the chute 4, an ejector 8 arranged below the optical detection sections 7a, 7b, a good product recovery tank 9 located below the ejector 8 and on the same inclined line as the chute 4, which receives the grains 100 falling directly in the falling trajectory without being subjected to the blast from the ejector nozzle 80, a defective product recovery tank 10 arranged side by side with the good product recovery tank 9, which is used to recover the defective products subjected to the blast from the ejector nozzle 80, and an auxiliary defective product recovery tank 11 used to recover the defective products that are bounced back after being damaged by the blast from the ejector nozzle 80 and hitting the surrounding components.

[0038] As for the shape of the chute 4, it is formed in a flat plate shape without a groove portion so that the grains 100 slide in a band shape with a wide width. A chute cover 4a is provided at a prescribed interval from the bottom surface so as to prevent the grains 100 from overflowing from the chute 4 and to prevent the grains 100 from floating from the bottom surface during sliding in the chute 4.

[0039] The vibrating feeder 6 is configured to support a feeder groove 6a on a support portion 6b, and is capable of supplying the grains 100 to the chute 4 by operating a vibration member such as an electromagnetic driving coil 6c. In addition, the shape of the above-described chute 4 can also be formed with a groove portion, and as the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion, a U-shaped, V-shaped, or concave-shaped groove portion can be appropriately adopted.

[0040] The optical detection sections 7a, 7b, which are the inspection sections where optical inspection is performed, are each surrounded by a housing 12a, 12b. The housing 12a on the front side of the falling trajectory of the grains 100 is provided with a CCD camera 13a for visible light, a NIR camera 14 for near-infrared light, visible light sources 15a, 15b composed of fluorescent lamps, a near-infrared light source 16a composed of a halogen lamp, and a background 17a for the optical detection section 7b.

[0041] Inside the housing 12b located behind the grain 100's falling trajectory, there is a CCD camera 13b for visible light, visible light sources 15c and 15d composed of fluorescent lamps or the like, a near-infrared light source 16b composed of halogen lamps or the like, and backgrounds 17b and 17c for the optical detection unit 7a. Furthermore, transparent glass window components 18a and 18b are embedded in the housings 12a and 12b on the side of the grain 100's falling trajectory.

[0042] In the ejector 8 of the optical sorting machine 1 of this embodiment, 48 ejector nozzles 80 are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the same direction as the width direction of the chute 4. Each ejector nozzle 80 is equipped with an ejector solenoid valve 81 for opening / closing the injection of compressed air. Furthermore, the number of ejector nozzles 80 can be appropriately varied according to the width of the chute 4. The ejector 8 of this embodiment is configured to store compressed air internally and supply air via an air supply pipe 22 (air compressor, not shown). Additionally, one or more auxiliary tanks (not shown) for temporary air storage can be provided between the ejector 8 and the air compressor. With this configuration, even when a large amount of air is ejected from the ejector nozzles 80, air shortage will not occur.

[0043] A front door 24, which can rotate vertically via a cylinder 23, is installed on the inclined wall in front of the frame 2. This facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance. Below the front door 24, there is an LCD display 25, which functions as both an operation panel and a monitor, and a power switch (not shown). By positioning the LCD display 25 and the power switch at eye level, the machine can be easily operated.

[0044] As the receiving port for the sorted grains 100, such as Figure 1 As shown, a non-conforming product receiving port 27, a conforming product receiving port 28, and an auxiliary non-conforming product receiving port 29 are provided. Furthermore, a sample removal section 30 is provided above the non-conforming product receiving port 27.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 The structure of the control processing unit of the optical sorting machine 1 will be described. The visible light CCD cameras 13a and 13b and the near-infrared NIR camera 14 are electrically connected to the signal processing unit 31 for binarizing the acquired images. The signal processing unit 31 is connected to the memory unit 32, which stores the images and performs necessary processing. Furthermore, the memory unit 32 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display 25.

[0046] The signal processing section 31 has at least an image data acquisition section 33 that temporarily stores image data, a threshold data storage 34 that stores threshold data for determining whether the acquired image data is a good product or a defective product, a binarization calculation section 35 for performing binarization processing on the acquired image data, a good product / defective product determination section 36 that functions as a determination section that determines whether a product is a good product or a defective product, and an ejector control section 37 that controls the operation of the ejector 8.

[0047] The CCD cameras 13a, 13b for visible light and the NIR camera 14 for near-infrared light are each connected to an amplifier that amplifies the voltage value converted from the light amount detection value by an unillustrated I / V converter. Then, based on the amplified voltage value (detection signal), the good product / defective product determination section 36 compares the threshold value stored in the threshold data storage 34 to determine whether the product is a good product or a defective product.

[0048] The memory section 32 has at least an image data storage 38 that stores data from the image data acquisition section 33 as necessary, a threshold data calculation section 39 that calculates a threshold value for determining whether a grain is a good product or a defective product based on the image data stored in the image data storage 38, a sorting strength setting section 40 that sets the operation of the ejector 8, and an operation signal reception section 41 that receives a signal of a touch operation of the liquid crystal display 25 or outputs processed image data to the liquid crystal display 25.

[0049] The good product / defective product determination section 36 in the signal processing section 31 is electrically connected to the ejector control section 37 that controls the ejector drive circuit 42 based on the operation conditions of the ejector 8 set in the sorting strength setting section 40 of the memory section 32 in order to remove the defective grain 100.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2 , the above-described ejector drive circuit 42 is electrically connected to each of the ejector solenoid valves 81 that open / close the injection of compressed air from each of the ejector nozzles 80. The configuration is such that each of the ejector solenoid valves 81 is opened / closed by inputting a drive signal from the ejector drive circuit 42. As described above, the ejector 8 of the present embodiment has 48 ejector nozzles 80, and each of the ejector nozzles 80 has an ejector solenoid valve 81. In addition, in Figure 2 , first, second, and third ejector solenoid valves 81a, 81b, 81c that are adjacent to each other and can inject compressed air to the entire one grain 100 are illustrated.

[0051] (Sorting processing structure)

[0052] Next, the sorting process of the optical sorter 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0053] The optical sorter 1 of the present embodiment can set the sorting intensity when the grain 100 determined as a defective product is removed by the ejector 8 in advance. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the sorting intensity can be set in five stages from level 5 to level 1. The sorting intensity of level 1 is high, and the defective products can be sorted reliably, so that a part of the good products are sometimes removed by the compressed air ejected from the ejector nozzle 80. Therefore, level 1 becomes a low yield, but the high-quality grain 100 can be obtained. On the other hand, the sorting intensity of level 5 is low, and a part of the defective products are sometimes not removed by the ejector 8. Therefore, the obtained grain 100 becomes low quality, but becomes a high yield. In addition, the details of the operation mode of the ejector 8 under each sorting intensity will be described later. Figure 3

[0054] An example of the display mode in the liquid crystal display 25 is shown in FIG. 7. The user who uses the optical sorter 1 displays the adjustment screen of the sorting intensity level as illustrated by touching the ejector setting icon 253 with a finger. Further, by touching the level-up icon 251 and the level-down icon 252, the desired sorting intensity level based on the ejector 8 can be easily selected. In addition, the setting level icon 255 in the form of a circle in the drawing can be touched, and by performing a sliding operation to the desired level position, the sorting intensity level can be selected. Figure 4

[0055] Based on the above, the recognition mode of the grain 100 that becomes a defective product in the case where the defective product is removed by the ejector 8 will be described. In step 1, the object image of the grain 100 is acquired in the good / defective product determination unit 36. Next, in step 2, the defective region within the grain 100 is determined based on the line amount of light amount detection values obtained from the object image. Next, in step 3, the defect region satisfying the defective size determined as a defective product is determined based on a predetermined threshold value set in advance. Next, in step 4, for the defect pixels of the defect region continuous in the lateral direction, only the center line thereof is taken as the defect region, and a thinning process is performed. The details will be described later, but the thinning process can obtain the effect of improving the yield. Then, in step 5, based on the determined defect region, the ejection range of the compressed air of the ejector nozzle 80 corresponding to the sorting intensity level (levels 5 to 1) set in advance is decided. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the thinning process of step 4 is not necessary, and the setting of the ejection range of step 5 can be performed without the thinning process as needed. Figure 5 Figure 5

[0056] ​​​​Next, the action setting parameters for each sorting intensity level (level 5 to 1) in this embodiment will be explained.

[0057] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the preset operating parameters for each sorting intensity level (levels 5 to 1) and the spray area of ​​compressed air relative to the defective grains 100. Furthermore, Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 This describes an embodiment of a single sorting operation performed by an optical sorting machine 1 with a flat-shaped chute 4. Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 This illustrates implementation methods for two-stage and three-stage sorting performed by an optical sorting machine 1 equipped with a U-shaped chute 4. Figures 6-9 The schematic diagram illustrates the first injector nozzle 80a, the second injector nozzle 80b, and the third injector nozzle 80c, which are adjacent among the 48 injector nozzles 80 and capable of injecting compressed air into a single grain 100.

[0058] In this embodiment, such as Figures 6-9 As shown, for each sorting intensity level (level 5 to 1), the following action items are preset as action setting parameters: 1) "Injection time" of compressed air. 2) "Overlap value" that enables the two injector nozzles 80 to work when there is a defect area in the overlapping area of ​​the mutual injection range of adjacent injector nozzles 80. 3) On / off setting for "fine-line processing" of defect pixels in defect areas of defective products that are continuous in the lateral direction, retaining only the center line of the defect pixel as the defect area.

[0059] Next, the action setting parameters and the operation mode of the injector 8 relative to the defective grains 100 will be explained. Figure 6 The "Level 5" setting shown is for high yield, with the spray time preset to "10", the overlap value preset to "0", and the fine-line processing preset to "On". Furthermore, the spray time "10" is not a unit of time, but rather an arbitrarily defined value; it is actually the time it takes for compressed air to purge the falling grains 100 within the range indicated by the double arrows in the diagram. Of course, the set value can also be a unit of time.

[0060] exist Figure 6 In the "Level 5" setting shown, the overlap value is "0". In this case, only the second injector nozzle 80b, which injects compressed air into the identified defect area, can operate. Moreover, in the "Level 5" setting, the fine-line processing is set to "on", so the area of ​​the line-shaped defect area shown in the figure is smaller than the actual defect area.

[0061] Next, Figure 6 The setting of "Level 4" shown is a setting in which the sorting strength is set higher than that of the above-described "Level 5", the yield is slightly lower, but the quality of the obtained grain 100 is slightly higher. Also, the ejection time is preset to "15" which is about 1.5 times longer than that of "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "4", and the thinning process is preset to "on". Note that the overlap value "4" does not have a specific unit, but is an arbitrarily defined value. For example, it can be set to the number of pixels in the horizontal width direction of the imaging element, to a value equivalent to the length in the width direction of the overlapping region shown. Of course, the set overlap value can also be set to a value in distance (size) units.

[0062] In Figure 6 In the setting of "Level 4" shown, the overlap value is "4", so as shown, an overlapping region spanning the ejection ranges of the adjacent first and second ejector nozzles 80a and 80b, and the second and third ejector nozzles 80b and 80c, is set. In the embodiment shown, the defect region after the thinning process does not enter the overlapping region and is in the ejection range of the second ejector nozzle 80b, so only the second ejector nozzle 80b operates.

[0063] Next, Figure 6 In the setting of "Level 3" shown, the sorting strength is set higher than that of the above-described "Level 4". Also, the ejection time is preset to "20" which is 2 times the length of that of "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "8" which is 2 times that of "Level 4", and the thinning process is preset to "on". In the setting of "Level 3", the overlap value is "8" and the width of the overlapping region is 2 times that of "Level 4", but in the embodiment shown, the defect region after the thinning process does not enter the overlapping region and is in the ejection range of the second ejector nozzle 80b, so only the second ejector nozzle 80b operates.

[0064] Next, Figure 7 In the setting of "Level 2" shown, the sorting strength is set higher than that of the above-described "Level 3". Also, the ejection time is preset to "25" which is 2.5 times the length of that of "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "14" which is close to 2 times that of "Level 3", and the thinning process is preset to "off".

[0065] In Figure 7In the "Level 2" setting shown, the overlap value is "14", and the width of the overlap region is approximately twice that of the "Level 3" as shown in the figure. Also, in the embodiment shown, the upper right portion of the defective region (fine-line processing off) enters the overlap region set between the second ejector nozzle 80b and the third ejector nozzle 80c. As a result, in addition to the second ejector nozzle 80b, the third ejector nozzle 80c also operates, and compressed air is sprayed toward the grain 100 in the spray region shown.

[0066] Next, Figure 7 In the "Level 1" setting shown, the sorting strength is set higher than in the "Level 2" described above. Also, the spray time is set to "30", which is three times the length of the "Level 5", and the overlap value is set to "20", which is approximately 1.5 times the "Level 4". The fine-line processing is set to "off".

[0067] In Figure 7 In the "Level 1" setting shown, the overlap value is "20", and the width of the overlap region is approximately 1.5 times that of the "Level 2" as shown in the figure. Also, in the embodiment shown, the upper right portion and the lower left portion of the defective region (fine-line processing off) respectively enter the overlap region set across the boundary line between the second ejector nozzle 80b and the third ejector nozzle 80c, and the overlap region set between the second ejector nozzle 80b and the first ejector nozzle 80a. As a result, in addition to the second ejector nozzle 80b, the third ejector nozzle 80c and the first ejector nozzle 80a also operate, and compressed air is sprayed toward the grain 100 in the spray region shown.

[0068] Therefore, in the "Level 1" setting, the range wider than the outline of the grain 100 becomes the spray region of the ejector nozzle 80. However, since the grains 100 flow down continuously in a band-like shape with the grains 100 close to each other, the good grains in the vicinity of the defective grain are removed by the compressed air sprayed from the ejector nozzle 80. Therefore, although the yield is low, since the defective grain can be reliably removed, a high-quality grain 100 can be obtained.

[0069] Next, the Figure 8 and Figure 9 The operation setting parameters and the manner in which the ejector 8 operates with respect to the defective grain 100 in the second sorting and the third sorting will be described. Also, the second sorting and the third sorting refer to the sorting process in which the grain 100 subjected to the first sorting by the optical sorter 1 is further fed to the optical sorter 1, and the second sorting and the third sorting are repeated. Also, in the second sorting and the third sorting described above, the chute 4 in which a plurality of U-shaped grooves having a width dimension at which one grain 100 can flow down are formed is used. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the second sorting and the third sorting are performed by the same operation setting parameters as the first sorting. Figure 8 andFigure 9 As shown in the schematic diagram, the compressed air injection area of ​​one injector nozzle 80 is the same width as that of the grain 100.

[0070] Figure 8 In the "Level 5" setting shown, which is a high yield setting, the spraying time is preset to "10", the overlap value is preset to "0", and the fine-line processing is preset to "on". In the "Level 5" setting, with the overlap value at "0", only the second injector nozzle 80b, which sprays compressed air into the identified defect area, can operate. Furthermore, with the fine-line processing set to "on" in the "Level 5" setting, the identified linear defect area, as shown in the illustration, is smaller than the actual defect area.

[0071] then, Figure 8 The settings for "Level 4" are as follows: the sorting intensity is set higher than that of "Level 5" above, the yield is slightly lower, but the quality of the obtained grains is slightly higher. In addition, the spraying time is preset to "15", which is about 1.5 times longer than "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "0", and the fine-line processing is preset to "on".

[0072] then, Figure 8 The settings for "Level 3" are as follows: the sorting intensity is set higher than that of "Level 4" above, the yield is lower, but the quality of the 100 grains obtained is slightly higher. In addition, the spraying time is preset to "20", which is twice that of "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "0", and the fine-line processing is preset to "on".

[0073] then, Figure 9 The settings for "Level 2" are as follows: the sorting intensity is set higher than that of "Level 3" above, the yield rate is further reduced, but the quality of the obtained grains 100 is improved. In addition, the spraying time is preset to "25", which is 2.5 times that of "Level 5", the overlap value is preset to "8", and the fine-line processing is preset to "off".

[0074] exist Figure 9 In the "Level 2" setting shown, the overlap value is "8". Therefore, as shown, an overlap area is set between adjacent first injector nozzle 80a and second injector nozzle 80b, and between second injector nozzle 80b and third injector nozzle 80c. In the illustrated embodiment, the defect area (fine-line processing off) does not enter the overlap area but is within the spray range of the second injector nozzle 80b, so only the second injector nozzle 80b operates.

[0075] then, Figure 9In the "Level 1" setting shown, the sorting intensity is set higher than the "Level 2" described above. Also, the injection time is set to "30" which is 3 times the length of the "Level 5", the overlap value is set to "16" which is 2 times the "Level 2", and the thinning process is set to "Off".

[0076] In Figure 9 In the "Level 1" setting shown, the overlap value is "16", and the width of the overlap region is twice that of the "Level 2" as shown in the drawing. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the left portion of the defective region (thinning process Off) enters the overlap region set across the boundary line of the second injector nozzle 80b and the first injector nozzle 80a. As a result, the first injector nozzle 80a also operates in addition to the second injector nozzle 80b, and compressed air is injected toward the grain 100 in the injection region shown in the drawing.

[0077] Therefore, in the "Level 1" setting, the range wider than the outline of the grain 100 becomes the injection region of the injector nozzle 80. However, since the grains 100 flow down in a continuous band shape with the grains 100 close to each other, sometimes the good grains near the defective grain are removed by the compressed air injected from the injector nozzle 80. Therefore, although the yield is low, since the defective grain can be reliably removed, a high quality grain 100 can be obtained.

[0078] The above describes an example of the operation setting parameters under each sorting intensity level in the present embodiment, but the injector nozzles 80 adjacent to the injector nozzles 80 at both ends are only on one side among the 48 injector nozzles 80. Therefore, in the case where the overlap value is set, the overlap region is set only on the side where the adjacent injector nozzles 80 are located, and the injector nozzles 80 operate. Also, the setting of each operation setting parameter of the "injection time", "overlap", and "thinning process" described above is preset by the maintenance engineer, and the user of the optical sorter 1 can designate the sorting intensity level in the setting screen shown above. Figure 4 Therefore, the effort of the maintenance engineer setting each operation setting parameter many times and further performing trial and error, and spending time to set the operation of the injector 8 as in the past can be greatly reduced.

[0079] Also, in Figure 10 An example of the setting screen for the maintenance engineer is shown in FIG. 10, and by shifting to an unillustrated detailed setting screen by touching the detailed setting icon 254 at the top right of the display screen, the setting of each operation setting parameter of the "injection time", "overlap", and "thinning process" under each sorting intensity level can be performed. Also, when setting the operation setting parameters, if the operation setting parameters are set in any one of Levels 5 to 1, the operation setting parameters under the other sorting intensity levels are automatically set according to the level.

[0080] Based on this structure, when setting or changing action setting parameters, it eliminates the hassle of inputting action setting parameters for all other sorting intensity levels.

[0081] (Other implementation methods)

[0082] The optical sorting machine of the present invention has been described above with respect to one embodiment. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment, and includes, for example, the following modifications.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiments, the sorting method for grains 100 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to grains 100. When sorting granular materials including resin flakes such as granules and beads, beans, pharmaceuticals, minerals, white sand and other fine items, the optical sorting machine of the present invention can also be effectively applied.

[0084] In addition, in the above implementation, the sorting intensity level is set to 5 stages from "Level 5" to "Level 1", but it is not necessarily limited to 5 stages. Any number of stages of sorting intensity level can be set.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the preset settings in the sorting intensity level are set to three types: "spraying time," "overlap," and "fine-line processing." These settings have a significant impact on yield and quality; therefore, by configuring the system to preset these settings, yield and quality can be effectively adjusted. However, the settings are not necessarily limited to these; the system may also be configured to preset multiple other types of settings.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the configuration allows for grade adjustment from low to high yield, but it is not limited to this structure. For example, the focus can be on the quality of the resulting granules, setting parameters for each action at each sorting intensity level, enabling grade adjustment from low to high quality. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the grade selection screen shown, in addition to selecting grades from low yield to high yield, you can also select grades from low quality to high quality.

[0087] Additionally, additional equipment can be added. Figure 4 The sorting intensity level selection function shown is set to an on / off switch unit. With this configuration, the selection function can be turned off according to the user's requirements, and the setting parameters of each action can be set in detail.

[0088] The above describes the embodiments of the present application and several modifications, but the above-described embodiments of the application are for easy understanding of the present application and do not limit the present application. The present application can be changed and modified without departing from the gist thereof, and includes equivalents thereof in the present application. In addition, the range in which at least a part of the above problems can be solved or the range in which at least a part of the effects can be exerted, the range of claim for patent protection, and the combination or omission of each constituent element described in the specification can be made.

[0089] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0090] 1 Optical sorter

[0091] 2 Machine body

[0092] 4 Chute

[0093] 4a Chute cover

[0094] 5 Storage tank

[0095] 6 Vibration feeder

[0096] 6a Feeding groove

[0097] 6b Support portion

[0098] 6c Electromagnetic drive coil

[0099] 7a Optical detection portion

[0100] 7b Optical detection portion

[0101] 8 Ejector

[0102] 9 Good product recovery groove

[0103] 10 Nonconforming product recovery groove

[0104] 11 Auxiliary nonconforming product recovery groove

[0105] 12a Tank body

[0106] 12b Tank body

[0107] 13a CCD camera

[0108] 13b CCD camera

[0109] 14 NIR camera

[0110] 15a Visible light source

[0111] 15b Visible light source

[0112] 15c Visible light source

[0113] 15d Visible light source

[0114] 16a near-infrared light source

[0115] 16b near-infrared light source

[0116] 17a background for opposition

[0117] 17b background for opposition

[0118] 17c background for opposition

[0119] 18a window member

[0120] 18b window member

[0121] 22 air supply tube

[0122] 24 front door

[0123] 25 liquid crystal display

[0124] 27 defective product receiving port

[0125] 28 non-defective product receiving port

[0126] 29 auxiliary defective product receiving port

[0127] 30 sample extraction section

[0128] 31 signal processing section

[0129] 32 memory section

[0130] 33 image data acquisition section

[0131] 34 threshold data memory

[0132] 35 binarization calculation means

[0133] 36 non-defective / defective product determination section

[0134] 37 ejector control section

[0135] 38 image data memory

[0136] 39 threshold data calculation means

[0137] 40 sorting strength setting section

[0138] 41 operation signal reception means

[0139] 42 ejector drive circuit

[0140] 80 ejector nozzle

[0141] 80a first ejector nozzle

[0142] 80b second ejector nozzle

[0143] 80c third injector nozzle

[0144] 81 injector solenoid

[0145] 81a first injector solenoid

[0146] 81b second injector solenoid

[0147] 81c third injector solenoid

[0148] 100 grain

[0149] 251 level up icon

[0150] 252 level down icon

[0151] 253 injector setting icon

[0152] 254 detailed setting icon

[0153] 255 setting level icon

Claims

1. An optical sorting machine, characterized in that, The optical sorting machine has the following features: The inspection department performs optical inspection on the granular materials transferred by the transfer unit; The determination unit, based on the optical inspection of the inspection unit, determines whether the granular material is a qualified product or a defective product; The injector control unit has multiple injector nozzles and blows compressed air from the injector nozzles to the defective product to sort the defective product and the qualified product. as well as The sorting intensity setting unit can set the sorting intensity in the injector control unit. The sorting intensity consists of multiple sorting intensity levels. The sorting intensity setting unit can preset various action setting parameters to control the operation of the injector nozzle according to each sorting intensity level.

2. The optical sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injector control unit can adjust the compressed air injection range of the multiple injector nozzles according to the multiple sorting intensity levels.

3. The optical sorting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The injector control unit includes a defect area determination unit, which is capable of determining defect areas in the defective product. The defect region determination unit can perform thinning processing on defect pixels in a horizontally continuous region, wherein the thinning processing is the process of retaining the center line portion of the defect pixels in the region as defect pixels.

4. The optical sorting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The various action setting parameters include at least the injection time of the injector nozzle and the overlap value, which is the width of the overlapping region spanning the mutual injection ranges as the boundary line sandwiching adjacent injector nozzles. When at least a portion of the defect area is located within the overlapping area, the injector control unit causes adjacent injector nozzles to perform an injection action together.

5. The optical sorting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The sorting intensity setting unit is connected to the setting input unit of the optical sorting machine, which allows the user to select the sorting intensity level, and the yield can be adjusted according to the selected sorting intensity level.

6. The optical sorting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The setting input unit can preset the action setting parameters according to each of the sorting intensity levels.

7. The optical sorting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The setting input unit can set the action setting parameters according to the preset operation of the action setting parameters in one sorting intensity level, without operating the preset operation of the action setting parameters in other sorting intensity levels.

Images