An automated apple sorting mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic apple sorting mechanism, including an inclined V-shaped guide trough. The bottom of the V-shaped guide trough has several sorting holes of different diameters spaced along its length. A toggle mechanism is located at the lower part of the V-shaped guide trough. The toggle mechanism includes a drive component, a toggle rod, and a sensor. The sensor is located on the side of the sorting hole to detect whether an apple is stuck at the sorting hole. The sensor is signal-connected to the drive component, which is also located on the side of the sorting hole and connected to the toggle rod. Initially, the toggle rod retracts to the side of the sorting hole. When the sensor detects that an apple has been stuck for a certain period, a feedback signal causes the drive component to extend the toggle rod to the sorting hole, thus toggleing the apple away from the sorting hole and allowing it to continue rolling backward. After the operation is complete, the toggle rod is reset by the drive component. This invention detects stuck apples and toggles them away, ensuring smooth apple transport and sorting without requiring machine downtime, thus improving machine efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fruit sorting technology, and more specifically to an automatic apple sorting mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Apples, a high-yield fruit in my country, are sorted according to size after harvest to sell at different prices and increase growers' profits. However, traditional manual sorting by farmers is inefficient. Existing technology utilizes a sorting guide trough with sorting holes of increasing size along its length. Apples smaller than the corresponding hole roll to that hole and fall, while larger ones roll past until they reach the appropriate size hole, thus achieving automated apple sorting. This technology is also relatively low-cost, making it ideal for farmers who prefer high-volume, low-margin sales. Compared to more complex sorting machines on the market, it has greater potential for widespread adoption. However, this type of guide channel combined with the sorting hole structure also has its own problems. Although apples are relatively regular spherical, due to differences in varieties, some areas may have larger outlines or larger dimensions in a certain diameter direction. When an apple reaches a sorting hole of similar size, it may get stuck and unable to fall. This can cause subsequent apples to pile up, forcing the user to manually remove the stuck apple, which greatly affects sorting efficiency and wastes labor. Even if the apple is pushed into the sorting hole by subsequent apples, the stuck area is very likely to be damaged due to being forced through the sorting hole, thus affecting sales. Therefore, it is necessary to further design the structure of this apple sorting system to prevent apples from getting stuck in the sorting hole. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide an automatic apple sorting mechanism. By setting a toggle mechanism at the sorting hole, the mechanism removes apples when they become stuck, ensuring smooth sorting without requiring manual operation and guaranteeing the normal and orderly operation of the machine. This improves the efficiency of mechanized and automated apple sorting while controlling machine costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automatic apple sorting mechanism, comprising an inclined V-shaped guide trough for rolling apple conveying, wherein a plurality of sorting holes for apples to fall are spaced apart along the length of the bottom of the V-shaped guide trough, the diameter of the sorting holes increasing sequentially from top to bottom to allow apples smaller than the corresponding hole diameter to fall, a collection box for receiving apples is provided below the sorting holes and at the outlet end of the V-shaped guide trough, and a toggle mechanism is provided at the lower part of the V-shaped guide trough, the toggle mechanism comprising a drive component, a toggle rod and a sensor, the sensor being disposed on the side of the sorting hole for detecting whether an apple stops at the sorting hole, the sensor being signal-connected to the drive component, the drive component being disposed on the side of the sorting hole and connected to the toggle rod, the toggle rod being retracted to the side of the sorting hole in the initial state, when the sensor detects that an apple has stopped for a certain period of time, a feedback signal causes the drive component to work and drive the toggle rod to extend to the sorting hole, thereby toggle the apple away from the sorting hole and continue rolling backward; after the work is completed, the toggle rod is reset by the drive component.

[0005] As an improvement, the drive unit and the actuating rod are located on the front or rear side of the sorting hole. When the drive unit drives the actuating rod to extend and be placed horizontally under the sorting hole, the sorting hole is closed and the actuating rod forms a structure for the apple to support and roll through.

[0006] As an improvement, a slot is provided on the other side of the sorting hole opposite to the actuating rod. When the drive unit drives the actuating rod to extend and be placed horizontally under the sorting hole, the far end of the actuating rod is inserted into the slot for support and limitation.

[0007] As an improvement, the number of sorting holes is set to an even number, with the sorting holes in pairs, and a drive unit is set between the two sorting holes in each pair. The actuating rod is driven by the drive unit to extend to the sorting holes in the front or back to move the apples.

[0008] As an improvement, the lever is configured such that when one end is retracted to the side of one sorting hole in the initial state, the other end extends horizontally to the lower part of another sorting hole, thereby closing the sorting hole and forming a structure through which the apple is supported and rolled.

[0009] As an improvement, a slot is provided on the other side of the sorting hole opposite to the actuating rod. When the actuating rod extends and is placed horizontally under the sorting hole, the far end of the actuating rod is inserted into the slot for support and limitation.

[0010] As an improvement, the driving component is a cylinder.

[0011] As an improvement, the lower part of the V-shaped guide channel is provided with several inclined guide plates, which are located below the sorting hole to receive the apples and guide them to the collection box.

[0012] As an improvement, a buffer assembly is also provided at the lower end of the guide plate. The buffer assembly includes a rack and a buffer sleeve. The rack is installed on one side of the lower end of the guide plate and forms an annular channel for apples to pass through. The buffer sleeve is made of elastic material and is annularly fitted on the rack. When an apple falls into the buffer sleeve, it expands and falls. The lower part of the buffer sleeve is set in the collection box.

[0013] As an improvement, the input end of the V-shaped guide trough is connected to a feeding conveyor belt, which is inclined upward and has evenly arranged partitions for receiving individual apples. The lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt is connected to a hopper for storing apples, and the bottom of the hopper is inclined upward to the lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting up a toggle mechanism, when the sensor detects that an apple has been stuck for a period of time, a feedback signal is sent to the drive component to make the toggle lever touch the apple, which has a toggle effect. The apple can leave the stuck sorting hole and go to the next sorting hole to be discharged, thereby avoiding the accumulation of apples, ensuring smooth apple conveying and sorting, eliminating the need for machine downtime, and improving the efficiency of machine use. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the V-shaped guide groove of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the buffer component of the present invention from a forward view. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 , 2As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, a specific embodiment of the automatic apple sorting mechanism of the present invention is presented. It includes an inclined V-shaped guide trough 1 for rolling conveying of apples. The bottom of the V-shaped guide trough 1 has a plurality of sorting holes 2 spaced along its length for apples to fall into. The diameter of the sorting holes 2 increases sequentially from top to bottom to allow apples smaller than the corresponding hole diameter to fall into the trough. A collection box 3 for receiving apples is provided below the sorting holes 2 and at the outlet end of the V-shaped guide trough 1. A toggle mechanism 4 is provided at the lower part of the V-shaped guide trough 1. The toggle mechanism 4 includes a drive element 41 and a toggle rod 4. 2 and sensor 43, which is set on the side of sorting hole 2 to detect whether apples stay in sorting hole 2. Sensor 43 is connected to drive component 41. Drive component 41 is set on the side of sorting hole 2 and connected to a lever 42. In the initial state, the lever 42 is retracted to the side of sorting hole 2. When sensor 43 detects that apples have stayed for a certain period of time, it sends a feedback signal to drive component 41 to drive lever 42 to extend to sorting hole 2, thereby moving apples away from sorting hole 2 and continuing to roll backward. After the work is completed, lever 42 is reset by drive component 41.

[0024] In use, the input end of the V-shaped guide trough 1 is connected to a feeding conveyor belt 7. The feeding conveyor belt 7 is inclined upwards and has evenly arranged partitions 71 for receiving individual apples. The lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt 7 is connected to a hopper 8 for storing apples. The bottom of the hopper 8 is inclined upwards towards the lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt 7. The user pours the apples to be sorted into the hopper 8. The hopper 8 is concentrated at the input end of the feeding conveyor belt 7 along its inclined bottom. The partitions 71 are designed to receive individual apples, so the apples can be transported one by one to the output end in an orderly manner, and then fall into the V-shaped guide trough 1 in an orderly and spaced manner. After an apple falls onto the V-shaped guide trough 1, it rolls towards the output end due to the inclined state of the V-shaped guide trough 1. If the size of the apple is larger than the sorting hole 2 it passes through, it will roll over due to inertia until it reaches the sorting hole 2 of the matching size and falls into the collection box 3 to complete the sorting. When an apple gets stuck in a sorting hole 2 due to its shape being similar to the size of the apple, sensor 43 can detect this. When sensor 43 detects that the apple has been stuck for a certain period (which could be the interval between the next apple being transported by the preceding conveyor belt 7 or a shorter interval, i.e., before the next apple falls into the V-shaped guide trough 1 or before it reaches the sorting hole 2 where the apple is stuck), the drive unit 41 activates, causing the actuating rod 42 to extend and contact the stuck apple. The actuating rod 42 creates an upward push and support at the bottom of the apple, causing it to disengage from the sorting hole 2, continue rolling backward, and fall into the next, larger sorting hole 2. After completing its work, the actuating rod 42 is immediately retracted by the drive unit 41, without affecting the subsequent falling of apples into the sorting hole 2. The apple sorting machine of the present invention has a simple structure and low cost, and can meet the sorting needs of ordinary apple farmers. After ensuring that the apples do not get stuck through the actuation mechanism 4, it can greatly improve the sorting efficiency, reduce downtime for maintenance due to unexpected situations, and free up labor.

[0025] like Figure 1 , 2As shown, the structure of the V-shaped guide trough 1 can be designed according to existing technology, while the number and size of the sorting holes 2 can be customized according to the specific apple varieties grown by the fruit growers. If needed, a collection box 3 can be added to the outlet end of the V-shaped guide trough 1 to further collect apples larger than the size of the sorting holes 2, or apples with odd shapes that cannot pass through the sorting holes 2, for subsequent processing by the user. For the actuating lever 42, its end or upper part in contact with the apple can be rounded or have an added elastic layer to reduce hard contact with the apple and avoid damage. For the sensor 43, it can be installed at the bottom of the V-shaped guide trough 1 with an additional bracket, aligning it with the side of the sorting hole 2 so that it can detect the apple directly when it is stuck. For the driving component 41, it is preferably a cylinder. Through the extension and retraction of the cylinder, the displacement of the actuating lever 42 can be stably adjusted, ensuring accurate and rapid positional movement.

[0026] As an improved specific implementation, the driving member 41 and the actuating rod 42 are disposed on the front or rear side of the sorting hole 2. When the driving member 41 drives the actuating rod 42 to extend and be placed horizontally at the lower part of the sorting hole 2, the sorting hole 2 is closed and the actuating rod 42 forms a structure for the apple to be supported and rolled through.

[0027] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the bottom of the V-shaped guide trough 1, relative to the front and rear sides of the sorting hole 2, is a planar structure suitable for arranging the drive unit 41 and the actuating rod 42. This facilitates the actuating rod 42 to actuate the apples after its forward and backward displacement, and also allows the sensor 43 to be positioned on the left or right side for effective apple detection. The actuating rod 42 extending along the rolling direction of the apples provides support for them to continue rolling towards the outlet. As another extension of the sorting hole 2, the actuating rod 42 can extend and be placed horizontally below the sorting hole 2, forming a barrier and preventing apples from falling through it. In the design of the V-shaped guide trough 1 and the sorting hole 2, more sizes of sorting holes 2 can be customized, allowing one machine to handle the sorting of apples of various sizes. During use, depending on the required sorting size for a specific apple variety, unnecessary sorting holes 2 can be closed with the actuating rod 42. Apples can then smoothly roll through the closed actuating rod 42 and fall and be collected from the open sorting hole 2 according to the appropriate size. The actuating lever 42 at the sorting hole 2 for feeding apples performs the conventional apple-catching and actuating function. Overall, this makes the sorting function of a single machine more comprehensive, allowing for flexible selection of sorting size based on apple variety, or in other words, selection of how many batches to sort.

[0028] As an improved specific implementation, a slot 21 is also provided on the other side of the sorting hole 2 opposite to the actuating rod 42. When the driving member 41 drives the actuating rod 42 to extend and be placed horizontally at the lower part of the sorting hole 2, the far end of the actuating rod 42 is inserted into the slot 21 for support and limitation.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, by relying on the slot 21, the distal end of the lever 42 is inserted into it, thereby improving the stability of the lever 42 when it is placed horizontally at the bottom of the sorting hole 2, and ensuring the structural strength of the lever 42 when it is used for support.

[0030] As an improved specific implementation, the number of sorting holes 2 is set to an even number, the sorting holes 2 are grouped in pairs, and a drive member 41 is provided between the two sorting holes 2 in each group. The toggle lever 42 is driven by the drive member 41 to extend forward or backward to toggle the apples through the sorting holes 2.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, a set of driving components 41 and a lever 42 provides the apple-moving function between two adjacent sorting holes 2, ensuring the function of preventing apples from getting stuck while saving component costs. When the sensor 43 corresponding to a sorting hole 2 sends a signal, the driving component 41 is activated to extend the lever 42 towards the corresponding sorting hole 2, thereby realizing the apple-moving function. Normally, both ends of the lever 42 are located below the V-shaped guide groove 1, and do not affect the material falling into the sorting hole 2.

[0032] As an improved specific implementation, the lever 42 is configured such that when one end is retracted to the side of one sorting hole 2 in the initial state, the other end extends horizontally to the lower part of another sorting hole 2, thereby closing the sorting hole 2 and forming a structure through which the apple is supported and rolled.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, a set of driving components 41 and actuating rods 42 provide both apple-moving and support / closure functions for adjacent sorting holes 2, thus meeting the functional requirements of the machine while saving component costs. When there are many sorting holes 2 in the machine, and the sizes of two adjacent sorting holes 2 are similar, one is selected based on the variety and size of the apple during sorting, and then the other sorting hole 2 is closed. After adjusting multiple sets of sorting holes 2, the most suitable dropping and sorting size for the apples to be sorted is selected. The sorting holes 2 that do not participate in sorting are closed by the actuating rods 42, while the sorting holes 2 that participate in sorting can drop normally. When an apple gets stuck, the actuating rod 42 at the corresponding end extends to move the apple. Afterward, the actuating rod 42 can be driven by the driving component 41 to quickly reset without affecting the closure of the original sorting hole 2.

[0034] As an improved specific implementation, a slot 21 is also provided on the other side of the sorting hole 2 opposite to the actuating rod 42. When the actuating rod 42 extends out and is placed horizontally at the lower part of the sorting hole 2, the far end of the actuating rod 42 is inserted into the slot 21 for support and limitation.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, by relying on the slot 21, one end of the lever 42 is inserted into it, thereby improving the stability of one end of the lever 42 when it is horizontally placed under the sorting hole 2, ensuring the structural strength of the lever 42 when it is used for support, and also making the structure of the relatively long lever 42 stable.

[0036] As an improved specific implementation, the lower part of the V-shaped guide channel 1 is provided with several inclined guide plates 5, which are located below the sorting hole 2 to receive and guide the apples to the collection box 3.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the guide plate 5 first receives the apples falling from the sorting hole 2, and then makes the apples roll down the slope formed by the guide plate 5, thereby reducing the impact force of direct falling and avoiding damage to the apples.

[0038] As an improved specific implementation, a buffer assembly 6 is also provided at the lower end of the guide plate 5. The buffer assembly 6 includes an arrangement frame 61 and a buffer sleeve 62. The arrangement frame 61 is installed on one side of the lower end of the guide plate 5 and forms an annular channel for apples to pass through. The buffer sleeve 62 is made of elastic material and is annularly fitted on the arrangement frame 61. When an apple falls into the buffer sleeve 62, it will open the buffer sleeve 62 and fall down. The lower part of the buffer sleeve 62 is provided corresponding to the collection box 3.

[0039] like Figure 7 As shown, in specific implementation, a certain groove structure can be set on the guide plate 5, allowing the apple to roll down along the groove structure and then fall into the annular space formed by the arrangement rack 61. As it continues to fall, the apple is supported by the buffer sleeve 62. The buffer sleeve 62 can be made of a material with good elasticity, such as wool net, rubber net, nylon net, etc., which makes it easier for the apple to open up under the premise of low friction. The diameter of the buffer sleeve 62 corresponding to different sorting holes 2 is set according to the size of the apple. After the apple falls into the buffer sleeve 62, it opens up and continues to fall by its own weight until it leaves the buffer sleeve 62 and falls into the collection box 3.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic apple sorting mechanism, comprising an inclined V-shaped guide trough (1) for rolling conveying apples, wherein a plurality of sorting holes (2) for apples to fall are spaced apart along the length of the bottom of the V-shaped guide trough (1), the diameter of the plurality of sorting holes (2) increasing from top to bottom to allow apples smaller than the corresponding hole diameter to fall, and a collection box (3) for receiving apples is provided below the sorting holes (2) and at the outlet end of the V-shaped guide trough (1), characterized in that: The lower part of the V-shaped guide groove (1) is provided with a poking mechanism (4), the poking mechanism (4) comprises a driving member (41), a poking rod (42) and a sensor (43), the sensor (43) is arranged on the side of the sorting hole (2) for detecting whether the apple stays at the sorting hole (2), the sensor (43) is signal connected with the driving member (41), the driving member (41) is arranged on the side of the sorting hole (2) and connected with the poking rod (42), the poking rod (42) is retracted on the side of the sorting hole (2) in the initial state, when the sensor (43) detects that the apple stays for a certain time, the feedback signal drives the driving member (41) to work to drive the poking rod (42) to extend to the sorting hole (2), so as to poke the apple to leave the sorting hole (2) and continue to roll back; the poking rod (42) is reset by the driving member (41) after the work is completed. The number of the sorting holes (2) is set as even, the sorting holes (2) are arranged in pairs, and the driving member (41) is arranged between the two sorting holes (2) in each group, the poking rod (42) is driven by the driving member (41) to extend to the front or rear sorting hole (2) to poke the apple. The poking rod (42) is arranged to extend the other end to horizontally arrange at the lower part of the other sorting hole (2) when one end is retracted on the side of one sorting hole (2) in the initial state, the sorting hole (2) is closed and a structure for supporting the apple to roll over is formed by the poking rod (42). The other side of the sorting hole (2) relative to the poking rod (42) is also provided with a slot (21), when the poking rod (42) extends and horizontally arranges at the lower part of the sorting hole (2), the distal end of the poking rod (42) is inserted into the slot (21) for supporting and limiting.

2. The automatic apple sorting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving member (41) is a pneumatic cylinder.

3. The automatic apple sorting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of the V-shaped guide groove (1) is provided with a plurality of inclined guide plates (5), the guide plates (5) are arranged below the sorting holes (2) to receive and guide the apples to the collecting box (3).

4. The automatic apple sorting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the guide plate (5) is also provided with a buffer assembly (6), the buffer assembly (6) comprises a arrangement frame (61) and a buffer sleeve (62), one side of the arrangement frame (61) is mounted on the lower end of the guide plate (5), and the arrangement frame (61) forms an annular channel for the apple to pass through, the buffer sleeve (62) is made of elastic material and annularly arranged on the arrangement frame (61), when the apple falls into the buffer sleeve (62), the buffer sleeve (62) is expanded and falls, and the lower part of the buffer sleeve (62) is arranged corresponding to the collecting box (3).

5. The automatic apple sorting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The input end of the V-shaped guide groove (1) is connected with a feeding conveyor belt (7), the feeding conveyor belt (7) is inclined upward and uniformly provided with a baffle (71) for receiving single apple feeding on the feeding conveyor belt (7), the lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt (7) is connected with a hopper (8) for storing apples, and the bottom of the hopper (8) is inclined to the lower input end of the feeding conveyor belt (7).

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