Sorting device

Abstract

The sorting signal setting section (93) of the optical sorting device (1) sets a sorting operation signal (X) from a signal setting table (T) decided in advance based on a combination of each of the sorting necessity determination results (R1) to (R4) in a case where the results of the determinations in the sorting necessity determination results (R1) to (R4) are two or more, the sorting operation signal (X) including information (I) for operating the ejector (61) when the granular body (G) advancing in the air passes through the sorting region (P).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for sorting items by determining, for example, whether the items need to be sorted by using imaging data such as visible light or X-rays. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, when bagging large quantities of granular materials such as rice and wheat, sorting machines that use optical methods to separate foreign objects and defective materials are generally known to prevent the contamination of foreign objects such as stones and glass, or discolored particles. For example, the sorting machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes: a conveying chute for conveying each granular material sequentially downwards; and a discharge chute disposed below the conveying chute at predetermined intervals. The discharge chute has a qualified product discharge section for guiding the discharge of qualified granular materials and a defective product discharge section for guiding the discharge of unqualified granular materials, arranged side by side in the front-back direction of the device. Below the conveying chute, a first and a second CCD camera for visible light are respectively disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the conveying chute, separated by an inspection area set between the conveying chute and the discharge chute. The first and second CCD cameras take pictures of the granular materials falling from the lower end of the conveying chute and passing through the inspection area from their upper and lower surfaces, respectively. A near-infrared (NIR) camera is installed on the upper surface of the conveyor chute and downstream of the first CCD camera assembly to capture images of particles passing through the inspection area. Additionally, an injector with a nozzle is installed on the lower surface of the conveyor chute and downstream of the second CCD camera assembly. This injector sprays compressed air obliquely upwards towards the front of the device into the sorting area located downstream of the inspection area. A control unit is connected to the first and second CCD cameras, the NIR camera, and the injector. This control unit determines whether particle sorting is necessary based on the image data acquired by the first CCD camera, the second CCD camera, and the NIR camera. When particle sorting is determined to be necessary, a sorting operation signal is output to the injector, causing compressed air to be sprayed from the nozzle towards the particles in the sorting area. This changes the falling direction of particles heading towards the qualified product discharge section towards the unqualified product discharge section, thereby sorting the particles.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-283204

[0004] However, in the sorting device described above, because particles fall freely in the inspection area based on each camera and the sorting area based on the ejector, particles of different masses and volumes take different amounts of time to reach the sorting area from the inspection area. Therefore, a sorting operation signal, which includes information for the ejector to operate, such as the delay time from when each camera photographs the particles in the inspection area until compressed air is ejected from the ejector toward the particles, and the continuous ejection time of compressed air from the ejector, is associated with information for determining whether sorting is required, such as visible light data and near-infrared data, according to the type of foreign object or defective object, and is pre-stored in the control unit. If it is determined that particle sorting is required based on the information for determining whether sorting is required obtained from the camera, the control unit operates the ejector through the sorting operation signal corresponding to the foreign object or defective object to sort the foreign object or defective object in the sorting area.

[0005] However, in the control described above, if a particle that is a foreign object or defective object is determined to need to be sorted in multiple sorting determination information, the ejector also operates in the sorting operation signal that is associated with sorting determination information not used in sorting except for the sorting determination information for that particle. Therefore, when the ejector is operating, particles belonging to other qualified products in the sorting area are unexpectedly sorted by the ejector based on the ejector, resulting in a decrease in the yield. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of this purpose, and its object is to provide a sorting device capable of highly accurate separation of foreign matter and defective matter from a large number of granular materials.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is characterized by a method for setting a signal that enables the sorting mechanism to operate when a sorting determination result is obtained from two or more information on whether sorting is required for a sorted item.

[0008] Specifically, the following countermeasures were taken against a sorting device that is configured to sort objects moving in the air by one or more sorting mechanisms.

[0009] That is, in the first invention, it is characterized by comprising: at least one imaging mechanism for capturing images of the sorted items to obtain one or more information for determining whether sorting is required; a determination mechanism for determining whether the sorted items need to be sorted based on the information for determining whether sorting is required, and outputting the determination result, i.e., whether sorting is required determination result; and a sorting signal setting mechanism for setting a sorting working signal from a predetermined signal setting table based on a combination of the determination results for a sorted item when there are two or more determinations from the determination results for whether sorting is required based on the determination results for a sorted item, or setting the sorting working signal by performing calculations using a predetermined signal calculation algorithm based on the combination of the determination results for whether sorting is required, wherein the sorting working signal includes information for causing the sorting mechanism to operate when the sorted items pass through the sorting area.

[0010] Based on the first invention, the second invention is characterized in that the signal setting table stores a preset signal corresponding to each of the above-mentioned whether-sorting-needs-to-be-determined information. The preset signal includes information for making the sorting mechanism work. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that when there is only one result in the whether-sorting-needs-to-be-determined result of the determination mechanism, the preset signal corresponding to the whether-sorting-needs-to-be-determined information is used as the sorting working signal. On the other hand, it is configured such that when there are two or more results in the whether-sorting-needs-to-be-determined result of the determination mechanism, one of the preset signals corresponding to each of the whether-sorting-needs-to-be-determined information is used as the sorting working signal.

[0011] Based on the second invention, the third invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned imaging mechanism comprises: a first imaging mechanism that uses visible light to photograph the sorted object, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; and a second imaging mechanism that uses near-infrared light to photograph the sorted object, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that, when it is determined that sorting is required in either the visible light data or the near-infrared data, either of the pre-set signals corresponding to the visible light data or the near-infrared data is used as the sorting working signal.

[0012] Based on the second invention, the fourth invention is characterized in that the imaging mechanism comprises: a first imaging mechanism that uses visible light to image the sorted object, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; a second imaging mechanism that uses near-infrared light to image the sorted object, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required; and a third imaging mechanism that uses X-rays to image the sorted object, thereby obtaining X-ray data as information for determining whether sorting is required. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that when at least two of the sorting requirements determination results of the visible light data, near-infrared data, and X-ray data are determined to require sorting, one signal is selected from the pre-set signals corresponding to each sorting requirement determination result as the sorting operation signal.

[0013] Based on any of the second to fourth inventions, the fifth invention is characterized in that the sorting mechanism is an air injection mechanism, which injects compressed air from the nozzle toward the sorted object, and the preset signal includes information on the delay time from when the shooting mechanism takes a picture of the sorted object until the sorting mechanism outputs the sorting working signal, and the injection time for the sorting mechanism to continuously output the sorting working signal.

[0014] In the first invention, even when the object to be sorted is determined to require sorting in two or more sorting criteria, the sorting mechanism can be activated only when the object passes through the sorting area, and can remain inactive at other times. Therefore, according to the first invention, a sorting device capable of accurately sorting foreign matter and defective objects from a large number of particles can be obtained.

[0015] In the second invention, regardless of the amount of information obtained from the sorted object to determine whether sorting is required, the optimal sorting signal is selected for sorting the sorted object in the sorting area. Therefore, it is possible to reliably sort only granular objects that are foreign objects or defective objects in the sorting area, and it can become a sorting device with high sorting accuracy that can prevent the accidental sorting of granular objects that belong to qualified products.

[0016] In the third invention, when separating the sorted object G1, which reacts only to visible light or only to near-infrared light, and the sorted object G2, which reacts to both visible light and near-infrared light, from a large number of particles, it is possible to prevent qualified particles from being accidentally separated out in the sorting area by the sorting mechanism when sorting the sorted object G2. Therefore, when sorting the sorted object using both visible light and near-infrared light, the sorting accuracy can be improved.

[0017] In the fourth invention, when separating a sorting object G3 that reacts to any one of visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays, and a sorting object G4 that reacts to at least two of visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays from a large number of particles, it is possible to prevent qualified particles from being accidentally separated out in the sorting area by the sorting mechanism when sorting the sorting object G4. Therefore, when sorting the sorting objects using three information—visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays—to determine whether sorting is required, it can become a sorting device with high sorting accuracy.

[0018] In the fifth invention, when the sorted items pass through the sorting area, the falling direction of the sorted items is changed by the wind pressure generated by compressed air to perform the sorting operation. Therefore, the sorted items can be efficiently sorted through a simple and low-cost structure. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of the sorting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the sorting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the relationship between the control unit, the shooting equipment, and the jets.

[0022] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal setting table used to determine whether two sorting criteria are needed for a single particle.

[0023] Figure 4B It was carried out Figure 4A A diagram illustrating the contents of each recorded signal.

[0024] Figure 5A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal setting table for obtaining three pieces of information to determine whether sorting is required for a single particle.

[0025] Figure 5B It was carried out Figure 5A A diagram illustrating the contents of each recorded signal.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the control for sorting granular materials in the sorting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is the embodiment 2 of the present invention involving... Figure 3 A fairly accurate diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description of preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature.

[0029] Embodiment 1 of the Invention

[0030] Figure 1 This refers to the optical sorting device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The optical sorting device 1 is configured to sequentially transport a large number of granular materials G (substances to be sorted) such as almonds, beans, or plastic sheets, and then inspect their state and type to determine whether they are qualified or not. After that, qualified and unqualified products are sorted and removed. The device has a frame 10 composed of multiple metal frames.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the frame 10 is sequentially equipped with an infeed unit 2, a conveying unit 3, a first inspection unit 4, a second inspection unit 5, a sorting unit 6 (sorting mechanism), and an outfeed unit 7, starting from the upstream side of the device. The conveying unit 3, the first and second inspection units 4 and 5, and the sorting unit 6 are covered by a shielding cover 8. Furthermore, a control unit 9 is connected to the infeed unit 2, the conveying unit 3, the first and second inspection units 4 and 5, the sorting unit 6, and the outfeed unit 7.

[0032] The loading unit 2 uses the loading slider 21 to load a large number of granular materials G introduced by the vibrating feeder (not shown) into the conveying unit 3. Each granular material G is loaded into a position at equal intervals in the width direction of the conveying unit 3 in sequence.

[0033] The conveying unit 3 is equipped with a belt conveyor 31, which extends horizontally from the lower end of the conveying sliding member 21 to the downstream side of the device.

[0034] The belt conveyor 31 includes: a drive roller 32 located on the lower side of the lower end of the conveying sliding member 21; and a driven roller 33 located on the downstream side of the device, with a roller diameter smaller than that of the drive roller 32. A resin-made annular belt 34 is wound around the drive roller 32 and the driven roller 33.

[0035] The annular belt 34 moves around the drive roller 32 and driven roller 33 to sequentially transport the granular materials G placed on the outer peripheral surface.

[0036] Furthermore, after passing through the first inspection area V1 located in the middle of the annular belt 34, each of the conveyed granular particles G falls diagonally downwards from the downstream end of the conveying direction and passes through the second inspection area V2 and the sorting area P located in the air between the belt conveyor 31 and the delivery unit 7.

[0037] The first inspection unit 4 captures the external shape or internal state of the granular body G and includes: an X-ray irradiation unit 41 located above the first inspection area V1 at a predetermined interval; and an X-ray detector 42 (third imaging mechanism) disposed below the first inspection area V1.

[0038] The X-ray irradiation unit 41 includes an X-ray emission section 41a that emits X-rays directly downwards, and the X-rays emitted from the X-ray emission section 41a irradiate the granular body G that is transported by the annular belt 34 and passes through the first inspection area V1.

[0039] The X-ray detector 42 includes a line sensor 42a, which is arranged in a row in the width direction of the belt conveyor 31. The line sensor 42a can detect X-rays and obtain X-ray data D1 (information for determining whether sorting is required) by the X-rays detected by the line sensor 42a, which shows the shape or internal state (transmission) of the particle G.

[0040] A shielding cylinder 43 is provided between the X-ray emission section 41a and the first inspection area V1, and the center line of the shielding cylinder 43 extends vertically.

[0041] The shielding cylinder 43 includes: a first cylinder 43a, which is continuously disposed on the X-ray emission section 41a, with its upper opening corresponding to the X-ray emission section 41a; and a second cylinder 43b, which is continuously disposed on the lower part of the first cylinder 43a, with its lower opening close to the first inspection area V1.

[0042] The second inspection unit 5 includes: a first CCD camera 51a (first imaging mechanism) for visible light, positioned above the downstream end of the belt conveyor 31; a second CCD camera 52a (first imaging mechanism) for visible light, positioned below the downstream end of the belt conveyor 31; and a NIR camera 53a (second imaging mechanism) for near-infrared light, positioned at a predetermined interval downstream of the device of the first CCD camera 51a.

[0043] A first reflector 51b is disposed diagonally below the downstream side of the first CCD camera 51a, tilted relative to the shooting direction of the first CCD camera 51a. On the other hand, a first background plate 51c is disposed diagonally above the downstream side of the second CCD camera 52a. The second inspection area V2 is located between the first reflector 51b and the first background plate 51c.

[0044] A pair of first visible light sources 51d are arranged above the first background plate 51c. The first CCD camera 51a takes a picture of the particulate matter G reflected by the first mirror 51b when it passes through the second inspection area V2 from its upper surface side to obtain visible light data D2 (information on whether sorting is required).

[0045] That is, the first CCD camera 51a acquires visible light data D2 by photographing the particulate matter G using visible light, which serves as information for determining whether sorting is required.

[0046] A second reflector 52b is disposed downstream of the device of the second CCD camera 52a, tilted relative to the shooting direction of the second CCD camera 52a. On the other hand, a second background plate 52c is disposed obliquely below the device of the first reflector 51b. The second inspection area V2 is located between the second reflector 52b and the second background plate 52c.

[0047] A pair of second visible light sources 52d are arranged below the second background plate 52c. The second CCD camera 52a will take pictures of the particles G reflected by the second mirror 52b when passing through the second inspection area V2 from its lower surface side to obtain visible light data D3 (information on whether sorting is required).

[0048] That is, the second CCD camera 52a uses visible light to photograph the particulate matter G and obtains visible light data D3 as information for determining whether sorting is required.

[0049] A third reflector 53b is disposed diagonally above the upstream side of the device of the NIR camera 53a, tilted relative to the shooting direction of the NIR camera 53a. On the other hand, a third background plate 53c is disposed downstream of the device of the second reflector 52b. The second inspection area V2 is located between the third reflector 53b and the third background plate 53c.

[0050] A pair of near-infrared light sources 53d are arranged between a pair of second visible light sources 52d. The NIR camera 53a captures the particles G reflected by the third reflector 53b as they pass through the second inspection area V2 to obtain near-infrared data D4 (information for determining whether sorting is required).

[0051] That is, the NIR camera 53a acquires near-infrared data D4 by using near-infrared light to photograph the granular particles G, which serves as information for determining whether sorting is required.

[0052] The sorting unit 6 has an air jet 61 located below the NIR camera 53a.

[0053] The injector 61 has a compressed air injection port facing downwards on the upstream side of the device, and the injection port 61a is capable of injecting compressed air toward the sorting area P located on the downstream side of the device in the second inspection area V2.

[0054] The transport unit 7 has a discharge chute 71, which, in frontal view, is a generally V-shaped structure with the open side facing the downstream side of the device and is wide in the width direction of the belt conveyor 31.

[0055] The discharge chute 71 includes: a defective product discharge section 72 that guides the discharge of defective granules G downwards; and a qualified product discharge section 73 that guides the discharge of qualified granules G downwards at an angle to the downstream side of the device. The qualified product discharge section 73 is configured to be continuous with the upper part of the downstream side of the device in the defective product discharge section 72.

[0056] The control unit 9 outputs a conveying work signal to make the belt conveyor 31 work, and outputs a sorting work signal X to make the ejector 61 work.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, the control unit 9 includes a determination unit 91 (determination mechanism). The determination unit 91 determines whether the particles G need to be sorted based on X-ray data D1, visible light data D2, visible light data D3 and near-infrared data D4. The determination unit 91 outputs the determination result, that is, the determination result R of whether sorting is required.

[0058] Specifically, the determination unit 91 outputs a determination result R1 on whether sorting is needed based on X-ray data D1, an output result R2 on whether sorting is needed based on visible light data D2, an output result R3 on whether sorting is needed based on visible light data D3, and an output result R4 on whether sorting is needed based on near-infrared data D4.

[0059] In addition, the control unit 9 has a storage unit 92 capable of storing various data, and a signal setting table T for setting the sorting working signal X is provided in the storage unit 92.

[0060] The signal setting table T stores a preset signal Z, which includes information I used to make the ejector 61 work when the sorted particles G pass through the sorting area P. The preset signal Z is set relative to X-ray data D1, visible light data D2, D3 and near-infrared data D4 respectively.

[0061] The pre-set signal Z includes information I such as the delay time S1 from when the X-ray detector 42, the first CCD camera 51a, the second CCD camera 52a and the NIR camera 53a respectively capture particulate matter G until the ejector 61 outputs the sorting working signal X, and the ejection time S2 for the ejector 61 to continuously output the sorting working signal X.

[0062] The signal setting table T stores a preset signal Z1 corresponding to X-ray data D1, a preset signal Z2 corresponding to visible light data D2, a preset signal Z3 corresponding to visible light data D3, and a preset signal Z4 corresponding to near-infrared data D4. Each preset signal Z1 to Z4 has information on a delay time S1 and an ejection time S2.

[0063] The preset signal Z1 has information I (delay time S1, spray time S2) that allows the particles G to be sorted in the sorting area P by the spraying action of the ejector 61 when it is determined that sorting is required based on the X-ray data D1 obtained in the first inspection area V1.

[0064] The pre-set signals Z2 to Z4 each contain information I (delay time S1, spray time S2) that enables the separation of particles G in the sorting area P by the spraying action of the ejector 61 when the visible light data D2, visible light data D3, and near-infrared data D4 obtained in the second inspection area V2 need to be sorted.

[0065] Furthermore, a preset signal Z can be pre-stored in the signal setting table T, containing dedicated information I corresponding to each combination of conditions where sorting is required based on X-ray data D1, visible light data D2, visible light data D3, and near-infrared data D4. For example, dedicated information I (delay time S1, spray time S2) that enables the separation of particles G in the sorting area P by the spraying action of the ejector 61 when sorting is required based on both X-ray data D1 and visible light data D2 can also be pre-stored as a preset signal Z5.

[0066] In addition, the signal setting table T stores the relationships between the combinations of sorting determination results R determined by the determination unit 91 and the sorting working signals X associated with the above combinations.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 9 includes a sorting signal setting unit 93 (sorting signal setting mechanism), which sets the sorting working signal X from the signal setting table T based on the combination of each sorting determination result R.

[0068] The sorting signal setting unit 93 is configured such that when there is only one result in a particle G that indicates that sorting is required based on the determination result R of the determination unit 91, the preset signal Z corresponding to the determination information of whether sorting is required is used as the sorting working signal X.

[0069] For example, if the sorting determination result R1 indicates that sorting is required, the preset signal Z1 corresponding to the sorting determination result R1 is set as the sorting operation signal X.

[0070] In addition, when there are two or more results in a particle G that indicate that sorting is required based on the determination result R of whether sorting is required by the determination unit 91, the sorting signal setting unit 93 sets the sorting working signal X from the signal setting table T based on the combination of each determination result R.

[0071] For example, if it is determined that sorting is required between the two judgment results R1 and R2, the preset signal Z1 corresponding to the judgment result R1 is used as the sorting working signal X.

[0072] In other examples, when it is determined that sorting is required from at least two of the sorting determination results R1 to R4, the merits of the sorting determination results R1 to R4 are predetermined, and one of the preset signals Z1 to Z4 corresponding to the sorting determination results R1 to R4 is selected as the sorting working signal X.

[0073] Furthermore, the sorting signal setting unit 93 can also be configured to set a dedicated signal pre-stored in the signal setting table T as the sorting working signal X when at least two of the sorting determination results R1 to R4 indicate that sorting is required. For example, it can also be configured to set the aforementioned pre-set signal Z5 as the sorting working signal X when sorting is determined to be required based on both X-ray data D1 and visible light data D2.

[0074] Furthermore, if the determination unit 91 determines that the granular material G needs to be sorted, the control unit 9 will output the sorting operation signal X set in the signal setting table T to the injector 61, and spray compressed air from the nozzle 61a onto the granular material G that is determined to need to be sorted and is falling from the downstream end of the belt conveyor 31 and located in the sorting area P, so that the falling direction of the granular material G is changed towards the non-conforming product discharge unit 72.

[0075] Examples 1 to 5 of the signal setting table T are shown in Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5A , Figure 5B In Example 1, the optical sorting device 1 obtains two visible light data points (wavelength A and wavelength B) with different information for determining whether sorting is required. When sorting is required for both visible light data points, the determination result of the visible light data with wavelength A is prioritized, and the preset signal A corresponding to the visible light data with wavelength A is set as the sorting working signal X. On the other hand, in Example 2, when sorting is required for both visible light data points, the determination result of the visible light data with wavelength B is prioritized, and the preset signal B corresponding to the visible light data with wavelength B is set as the sorting working signal X. Furthermore, in Example 3, when sorting is required for both visible light data points, the preset signal C, which has a preset dedicated information I, is set as the sorting working signal X.

[0076] In Example 4, the information obtained in the optical sorting device 1 for determining whether sorting is required includes three types: visible light data, near-infrared data, and X-ray data. If sorting is required from all three types of data, the determination result for the visible light data is prioritized, and the pre-set signal a corresponding to that visible light data is set as the sorting working signal X. If sorting is required from two of the three types of data, the determination result is prioritized in the order of visible light data > near-infrared data > X-ray data, and either the pre-set signal a corresponding to the visible light data or the pre-set signal b corresponding to the near-infrared data is set as the sorting working signal X. Furthermore, in Example 5, if sorting is required from all three types of data, or from two of them, the pre-set signals d to g, each containing pre-set dedicated information I, are set as the sorting working signal X.

[0077] Next, the operation of the control unit 9 when sorting a specified particle G in the optical sorting apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0078] like Figure 6 As shown, firstly, in step S1, after the number N of the shooting agency and the amount S of information for whether sorting is required are reset to N=0 and S=0, the process proceeds to step S2, where N+1 is substituted into N, and then proceeds to step S3.

[0079] In step S3, an imaging start signal is output to the Nth imaging mechanism. After imaging the specified particles G that need to be sorted, the process proceeds to step S4, where the determination unit 91 determines whether it has obtained information for determining whether sorting is required.

[0080] If the determination in step S4 is "no", that is, if the determination unit 91 determines that it has not obtained the information for determining whether sorting is required, it returns to step S3 and outputs the shooting start signal to the Nth shooting mechanism again.

[0081] On the other hand, when the determination in step S4 is "yes", that is, if the determination unit 91 determines that it has obtained information on whether or not it needs to be sorted, then step S5 is entered, and the determination unit 91 determines whether or not it needs to sort the granular body G that has obtained the information on whether or not it needs to be sorted.

[0082] If the determination in step S5 is "yes", that is, if the determination unit 91 determines that sorting is required, then proceed to step S6, and after substituting S+1 into S, proceed to step S7. On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is "no", skip step S6 and proceed to step S7.

[0083] In step S7, the determination unit 91 determines whether all imaging operations have been completed for the specified particles G that need to be sorted. If the determination in step S7 is "no", that is, if all imaging operations have not been completed, the process returns to step S2 and continues the imaging operations of the remaining imaging mechanism.

[0084] On the other hand, when the determination in step S7 is "yes", that is, if all the shooting operations have ended, then step S8 is entered, and the determination unit 91 determines whether the number S of the information to be determined for sorting is S=0.

[0085] If the determination in step S8 is "yes", that is, if it is determined from the data obtained from all the shooting mechanisms that sorting is not required, then proceed to step S9, and end the processing of the control unit 9 without performing the spraying action based on the sprayer 61.

[0086] On the other hand, if the determination in step S8 is "no", that is, if it is determined that sorting is required from more than one data obtained from more than one shooting agency, then step S10 is entered, and the determination unit 91 determines whether the number S of the information used to determine whether sorting is required is S=1.

[0087] When the determination in step S10 is "yes", that is, if it is determined from the data obtained from a shooting agency that sorting is required, then proceed to step S11. The sorting signal setting unit 93 sets the preset setting signal Z corresponding to the information for determining whether sorting is required based on the setting signal table T as the sorting working signal X, and proceeds to step S13.

[0088] On the other hand, if the determination in step S10 is "no", that is, if it is determined from the data obtained from two or more shooting agencies that sorting is required, then step S12 is entered. The sorting signal setting unit 93 selects one of the preset preset signals Z corresponding to the information for determining whether sorting is required based on the setting signal table T, and sets it as the sorting working signal X, and then proceeds to step S13.

[0089] In step S13, the control unit 9 outputs the sorting operation signal X set in step S11 or step S12 to the injector 61. Furthermore, the injector 61 is activated to spray compressed air toward the particles G located in the sorting area P, thereby sorting the particles G and ending the processing of the control unit 9.

[0090] According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, even if a particle G is determined to require sorting in two or more sorting determination information, the injector 61 can be operated only when the particle G passes through the sorting area P, and the injector 61 can be deactivated at other times. Therefore, an optical sorting device 1 capable of sorting foreign objects and defective objects from a large number of particles G with high precision can be obtained.

[0091] Furthermore, regardless of the amount of information obtained from the particles G that needs to be sorted, the optimal sorting signal X is selected for sorting the particles G in the sorting area P. Therefore, it is possible to reliably sort only the particles G that are foreign objects or defective objects in the sorting area P. This makes it an optical sorting device 1 with high sorting accuracy that can prevent the accidental sorting of particles G that belong to qualified products.

[0092] For example, when sorting particles G1 that react only to visible light or only to near-infrared light, and particles G2 that react to both visible and near-infrared light from a large number of particles G, it is possible to prevent qualified particles G from being accidentally separated out by the ejector 61 in the sorting area P when sorting particles G2. Therefore, when using both visible and near-infrared light to sort particles G, sorting accuracy can be improved.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, when separating particles G3 that react to any one of visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays, and particles G4 that react to at least two of visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays from a large number of particles G, it is possible to prevent qualified particles G from being accidentally separated out of the sorting area P by the ejector 61 when sorting particles G4. Therefore, when using visible light, near-infrared light, and X-rays as the three information for determining whether sorting is required to sort particles G, it can become an optical sorting device 1 with high sorting accuracy.

[0094] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the sorted particles G pass through the sorting area P, the falling direction of the particles G is changed by the wind pressure generated by compressed air to perform the sorting operation. Therefore, the particles G can be sorted efficiently with a simple and low-cost structure.

[0095] Embodiment 2 of the Invention

[0096] Figure 7This is a block diagram showing the relationship between the control unit 9 and the various structures connected to the control unit 9 in the optical sorting device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Embodiment 2 is identical to Embodiment 1 except for the points where the first injector 6A and the second injector 6B are provided in the sorting area P, and the points where the signals for the first injector 6A and the second injector 6B are set respectively when the sorting working signal X is set in the sorting signal setting unit 93. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the parts identical to those in Embodiment 1; only the different parts are described.

[0097] In Embodiment 2, when the types of defective particles in the granular material G can be distinguished into two categories from the combination of data determined to require sorting based on X-ray data D1, visible light data D2, visible light data D3, and near-infrared data D4, the preset signals W1 and W2 corresponding to each combination are pre-stored in the signal setting table T. The sorting signal setting unit 93 sets the preset signals W1 and W2 as sorting working signals X for the first injector 6A and the second injector 6B, respectively. This allows for sorting of a single granular material G according to each type of defect in the sorting unit 6. By equipping the optical sorting device 1 with two or more sorting mechanisms and applying the control unit 9 of the present invention, an optical sorting device 1 with high sorting capability can be achieved.

[0098] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, the sorting signal setting unit 93 sets the sorting working signal X from a predetermined signal setting table T based on the combination of sorting determination results R1 to R4. However, it is not limited to this. The sorting working signal X can also be set based on the combination of sorting determination results R1 to R4, for example, by performing calculations using a predetermined signal calculation algorithm such as AI processing.

[0099] In addition, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, a CCD camera and an NIR camera are used as imaging mechanisms, but other types of imaging mechanisms can also be used to acquire data as long as it is possible to acquire data that can be used for sorting particles G.

[0100] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, visible light, near-infrared light and X-rays are used to photograph the particles to obtain information on whether sorting is required. However, the invention is not limited to this, and other electromagnetic waves may be used as needed to photograph the particles to obtain information on whether sorting is required.

[0101] In addition, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, compressed air is used to sort the particles G in the sorting area P. However, as long as the direction of movement of the particles G moving in the air can be changed, other types of sorting mechanisms can also be used to sort the particles G.

[0102] Industrial availability

[0103] The present invention is, for example, suitable for a sorting apparatus that sorts objects based on imaging data using visible light, X-rays, etc., to determine whether the objects need to be sorted.

[0104] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0105] 1…Optical sorting device; 6…Sorting unit (sorting mechanism); 42…X-ray detector (third imaging mechanism); 51a…First CCD camera (first imaging mechanism); 52a…Second CCD camera (first imaging mechanism); 53a…NIR camera (second imaging mechanism); 91…Judgment unit (judgment mechanism); 93…Sorting signal setting unit (sorting signal setting mechanism); D1…X-ray data; D2, D3…Visible light data; D4…Near-infrared data; G1…Particles (substances to be sorted); P…Sorting area; R…Whether a sorting judgment result is needed; T…Signal setting table; V1…First inspection area; V2…Second inspection area; W1, W2…Preset signals; X…Sorting working signal; Z…Preset signal.

Claims

1. A sorting device configured to sort objects moving through the air using one or more sorting mechanisms, characterized in that, have: At least one camera is used to photograph the items to be sorted in order to obtain more than one piece of information for determining whether sorting is required. The determination mechanism determines whether the items to be sorted need to be sorted based on the information on whether sorting is required, and outputs the determination result, i.e., whether sorting is required. as well as The sorting signal setting mechanism, when there are two or more results indicating that a sorting object needs to be sorted based on the determination results of the determination mechanism, sets a sorting working signal from a predetermined signal setting table based on the combination of the determination results, or sets the sorting working signal by performing calculations using a prescribed signal calculation algorithm based on the combination of the determination results. The sorting working signal includes information that the sorting mechanism operates only when the sorted object passes through the sorting area.

2. The sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal setting table stores pre-set signals corresponding to each of the sorting determination information, and these pre-set signals include information for enabling the sorting mechanism to operate. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that, if there is only one result in the determination of whether sorting is required based on the determination of whether sorting is required by the determination mechanism, the preset signal corresponding to the determination of whether sorting is required is used as the sorting working signal; on the other hand, if there are two or more results in the determination of whether sorting is required based on the determination of whether sorting is required by the determination mechanism, one of the preset signals corresponding to each determination of whether sorting is required is used as the sorting working signal.

3. The sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The filming facility has the following features: The first imaging mechanism uses visible light to photograph the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; and The second imaging mechanism uses near-infrared light to image the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that, when it is determined that sorting is required in both the visible light data and the near-infrared data, either of the pre-set signals corresponding to the visible light data and the near-infrared data is used as the sorting working signal.

4. The sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The filming facility has the following features: The first imaging mechanism uses visible light to photograph the sorted items, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; The second imaging mechanism uses near-infrared light to image the object to be sorted, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required; as well as A third imaging unit uses X-rays to image the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining X-ray data as information for determining whether sorting is necessary. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that when at least two of the results of whether or not sorting is required in the visible light data, near-infrared data, and X-ray data are determined to require sorting, one signal is selected from the preset signals corresponding to each of the results of whether or not sorting is required as the sorting working signal.

5. The sorting device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism is an air injection mechanism, which injects compressed air from a nozzle toward the object to be sorted. The preset signal includes information on the delay time from when the imaging mechanism photographs the object to be sorted until the sorting mechanism outputs the sorting working signal, and the spraying time for the sorting mechanism to continuously output the sorting working signal.

6. A sorting device configured to sort objects moving through the air using one or more sorting mechanisms, characterized in that, have: At least one camera is used to photograph the items to be sorted in order to obtain more than one piece of information for determining whether sorting is required. The determination mechanism determines whether the items to be sorted need to be sorted based on the information on whether sorting is required, and outputs the determination result, i.e., whether sorting is required. as well as The sorting signal setting mechanism, when there are two or more results indicating that a single item needs to be sorted based on the judgment result of the judgment mechanism, sets a sorting working signal from a predetermined signal setting table based on the combination of these judgment results, or sets the sorting working signal by performing calculations using a prescribed signal calculation algorithm based on the combination of these judgment results. The sorting working signal includes information that causes the sorting mechanism to operate when the item passes through the sorting area. The signal setting table stores pre-set signals corresponding to each of the sorting determination information, and these pre-set signals include information for enabling the sorting mechanism to operate. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that, if there is only one result in the determination of whether sorting is required based on the determination of whether sorting is required by the determination mechanism, the preset signal corresponding to the determination of whether sorting is required is used as the sorting working signal; on the other hand, if there are two or more results in the determination of whether sorting is required based on the determination of whether sorting is required by the determination mechanism, one of the preset signals corresponding to each determination of whether sorting is required is used as the sorting working signal.

7. The sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filming facility has the following features: The first imaging mechanism uses visible light to photograph the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; and The second imaging mechanism uses near-infrared light to image the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that, when it is determined that sorting is required in both the visible light data and the near-infrared data, either of the pre-set signals corresponding to the visible light data and the near-infrared data is used as the sorting working signal.

8. The sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filming facility has the following features: The first imaging mechanism uses visible light to photograph the sorted items, thereby obtaining visible light data as information for determining whether sorting is required; The second imaging mechanism uses near-infrared light to image the object to be sorted, thereby obtaining near-infrared data as information for determining whether sorting is required; as well as A third imaging unit uses X-rays to image the items to be sorted, thereby obtaining X-ray data as information for determining whether sorting is necessary. The sorting signal setting mechanism is configured such that when at least two of the results of whether or not sorting is required in the visible light data, near-infrared data, and X-ray data are determined to require sorting, one signal is selected from the preset signals corresponding to each of the results of whether or not sorting is required as the sorting working signal.

9. The sorting device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism is an air injection mechanism, which injects compressed air from a nozzle toward the object to be sorted. The preset signal includes information on the delay time from when the imaging mechanism photographs the object to be sorted until the sorting mechanism outputs the sorting working signal, and the spraying time for the sorting mechanism to continuously output the sorting working signal.

Images