Screening device for herbal medicine or plants

Abstract

The invention provides a screening device for herbal medicine or plants, which can properly screen conveyed objects. A screening device (10) is provided with: a transport unit (20) that includes a dispersion device (50) that disperses a transport object (W) and transports the transport object (W); an image capturing device (70) that captures an image of the conveyed object (W) partway from the conveying unit (20); and a distribution device (80) which distributes the conveyed objects (W) into good products and defective products on the basis of the imaging results of the imaging device (70). A dispersion device (50) is provided with: a placement section (51) having a placement surface (52) which is a surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and on which a conveyed object (W) is placed; and a drive unit (57) that swings the placement unit (51).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a screening device for herbs or plants. Background Art

[0002] In the past, herbs were used as raw materials for Chinese medicines. When manufacturing Chinese medicines, herbs that were deteriorated or discolored or had foreign matter attached to them were removed as defective products, thereby screening the herbs.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a screening device for screening objects. The screening device includes a belt conveyor for transporting objects, an inspection camera for photographing objects falling from the end of the belt conveyor, and a nozzle array for spraying air at the falling objects. The nozzle array sprays air at objects that are determined to be defective based on the photographic results of the inspection camera. Thus, good and defective products are screened by changing the falling trajectory of the objects. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-55274 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, for example, when the herbs are roots, leaves, etc. of plants, the herbs may be entangled with each other. Therefore, when the screening device described in Patent Document 1 is used to screen the herbs, even if there is a defective portion in the contact portion between the herbs, the contact portion may not be photographed by the inspection camera. In addition, when the herbs overlap each other during falling, the overlapping portion of the herbs may become a blind spot of the inspection camera. As a result, it may become difficult to screen the herbs using the screening device. In addition, such a problem occurs not only in herbs, but also in plants used in food processing. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] Various aspects of a screening device for medicinal herbs or plants for solving the above-mentioned problems are described. [Method 1] A device for screening herbs or plants, comprising: a conveying section for conveying herbs or plants as conveyed objects; a photographing device for photographing the conveyed objects in the middle of falling from the conveying section; and a sorting device for sorting the conveyed objects into good products and defective products based on the photographing results of the photographing device, the conveying section including a dispersing device for conveying the conveyed objects while dispersing them, the dispersing device comprising: a loading section having a loading surface, the loading surface being a surface inclined relative to a horizontal direction, on which the conveyed objects are loaded; and a driving section for shaking the loading section.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the photographing device photographs the transported objects falling from the transporting unit including the distributing device, and the sorting device sorts the transported objects into good and bad products based on the photographing results of the photographing device, thereby sorting the transported objects.

[0008] Here, in the dispersing device, the transported objects placed on the loading surface in a state of being entangled or overlapping with each other are easily dispersed by the shaking of the loading part. Therefore, in the dispersing device, the transported objects are transported by sliding down along the loading surface while being dispersed. As a result, the transported objects fall from the loading part in a dispersed state, so it is easy to photograph the transported objects individually using the photographing device. As a result, it is easy to determine whether the transported objects are good or bad products. Therefore, the transported objects can be properly sorted.

[0009] [Method 2] In the medicinal herbs or plants screening device described in [Method 1], the placing surface includes an embossed surface having a plurality of protrusions formed at intervals from each other in a surface direction of the placing surface. According to the above structure, the friction force generated between the conveyed object and the carrying surface increases compared to the case where the carrying surface is a smooth surface. Therefore, when the carrying part is shaken, the conveyed object in contact with the carrying surface is likely to remain on the carrying surface. On the other hand, the conveyed object that is not in contact with the carrying surface due to overlapping with the conveyed object in contact with the carrying surface is easily moved to the carrying surface by the shaking of the carrying part. As a result, the conveyed object in contact with the carrying surface and the conveyed object overlapping with the conveyed object are easily dispersed. Therefore, the conveyed object can be effectively dispersed by using the dispersion device.

[0010] [Method 3] In the medicinal herbs or plants screening device described in [Method 1], the placing surface is formed so that: parts having different friction coefficients with respect to the conveyed object are alternately formed in a surface direction of the placing surface. According to the above structure, there are a portion with a larger friction coefficient and a portion with a smaller friction coefficient with respect to the conveyed object on the loading surface. Therefore, compared with the case where the loading surface is formed only by the portion with a smaller friction coefficient, the conveyed object is easily retained on the loading surface by the contact between the conveyed object and the portion with a larger friction coefficient. On the other hand, the conveyed object that is not in contact with the loading surface due to overlapping with the conveyed object in contact with the loading surface is easily moved to the loading surface by the shaking of the loading part. As a result, the conveyed object in contact with the loading surface and the conveyed object overlapping with the conveyed object are easily dispersed.

[0011] In addition, on the loading surface, the portion with a smaller friction coefficient is located between the portions with a larger friction coefficient. Therefore, compared with the case where the loading surface is formed only by the portion with a larger friction coefficient, the transported object in contact with the loading surface can be easily transported by sliding down along the loading surface. Therefore, the transported object can be transported while being effectively dispersed.

[0012] [Method 4] In the herb or plant screening device recorded in any one of [Method 1] to [Method 3], the conveying section includes a descending conveyor, which conveys the conveyed object dropped from the lower end of the loading surface and makes the conveyed object drop toward the photographing area of ​​the photographing device, and the conveying speed of the conveyed object in the descending conveyor is greater than the conveying speed of the conveyed object in the dispersing device.

[0013] According to the above structure, the conveying speed of the conveyed objects in the descending conveyor is greater than the conveying speed of the conveyed objects in the dispersing device. Therefore, the conveyed objects dropped from the lower end of the loading surface are not easy to overlap each other on the descending conveyor. Thus, the conveyed objects dispersed by the dispersing device are conveyed by the descending conveyor in a dispersed state as they are, and then dropped toward the photographing area of ​​the photographing device. Therefore, it is easy to photograph the conveyed objects individually using the photographing device.

[0014] [Method 5] In any one of the herbs or plants screening devices described in [Method 1] to [Method 4], the device comprises: a conveyor having a conveying surface, the conveying surface conveying the conveyed object of good quality dropped from the conveying section; and a guiding member having a collision surface inclined relative to a horizontal direction and for the conveyed object of good quality dropped from the conveying section to collide with, guiding the conveyed object after colliding with the collision surface onto the conveying surface, including a virtual plane of the collision surface intersecting with the conveying surface.

[0015] When the transported object dropped from the transporting section directly collides with the conveyor, the transported object may bounce back and drop from the conveyor. In this case, it becomes difficult to transport the transported object by the conveyor.

[0016] In this regard, according to the above structure, the transported object dropped from the transporting section collides with the collision surface of the guide member. The virtual plane including the collision surface intersects with the transporting surface of the conveyor, so the transported object after colliding with the collision surface moves along the collision surface or rebounds, and is easily guided to the conveyor. Therefore, the transported object dropped from the transporting section can be transported by the conveyor.

[0017] In addition, when the transported object dropped from the transporting section directly collides with the conveyor, a part of the conveyor may be separated due to the collision. In this case, a part of the conveyor may be mixed with the transported object.

[0018] In this regard, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the transported object dropped from the transporting section from directly colliding with the conveyor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a portion of the conveyor from being separated and mixed with the transported object.

[0019] [Method 6] In any one of the herbs or plants screening devices recorded in [Method 1] to [Method 5], the conveying section includes a bucket conveyor, the bucket conveyor has a bucket for conveying the conveyed object in a state of storing the conveyed object, and the bucket conveyor is configured to supply the conveyed object stored in the bucket to the loading surface after lifting it to the dispersing device.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the transported object is lifted to the distributing device by the bucket conveyor and then falls toward the photographing area of ​​the photographing device through the distributing device. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the falling distance of the transported object required for photographing the falling transported object.

[0021] In addition, according to the above structure, when an operator supplies the conveyed object to the screening device, for example, if the conveyed object is directly or indirectly supplied to the bucket conveyor, it is not necessary to supply the conveyed object to the screening device at a position higher than the ground. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved. Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately perform screening of conveyed objects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the screening device which concerns on one Embodiment. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a dispersion device. Figure 3 It is a side view showing a distributing device and a descending conveyor of a comparative example. Figure 4 It is a side view showing a guide member according to a modified example. Figure 5 It is a side view showing a guide member according to a modified example. Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a dispersion device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Below, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 6 An embodiment of a device for screening medicinal herbs or plants will be described. (Screening device 10) like Figure 1 As shown, the screening device 10 is a device that transports herbs or plants as transport objects W and screens the transport objects W into good products and defective products.

[0025] Examples of the herbal medicine include Chinese Angelica sinensis and Chuanxiong Rhizome. Examples of the plant include plants used in food processing. The screening device 10 includes a conveying unit 20, a photographing device 70, a sorting device 80, a control unit 90, a conveyor 100, a guide member 110, and a discharge box 120. The conveying unit 20 conveys the conveyed object W. The photographing device 70 photographs the conveyed object W in the middle of being dropped from the conveying unit 20. The sorting device 80 sorts the conveyed object W in the process of being dropped into good products and defective products based on the photographing result of the photographing device 70. The control unit 90 controls the operation of the photographing device 70 and the sorting device 80. The conveyor 100 conveys the conveyed object W of good products dropped from the conveying unit 20. The guide member 110 guides the conveyed object W of good products dropped from the conveying unit 20 toward the conveyor 100. The conveyed object W of defective products is discharged to the discharge box 120.

[0026] (Transportation Department 20) The conveying unit 20 includes a vibrating conveyor 30, a bucket conveyor 40, a dispersing device 50, and a drop conveyor 60. The conveyed object W supplied to the screening device 10 is conveyed by the vibrating conveyor 30, the bucket conveyor 40, the dispersing device 50, and the drop conveyor 60 in this order.

[0027] (Vibrating conveyor 30) The vibrating conveyor 30 conveys the conveyed object W toward the bucket conveyor 40 by vibrating the supply path 31 for supplying the conveyed object W. The supply path 31 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the downstream portion in the conveying direction is located downward. By adjusting the vibration frequency and the inclination angle of the supply path 31, the conveying amount of the conveyed object W can be appropriately adjusted.

[0028] The downstream end of the vibrating conveyor 30 in the conveying direction is located above the upstream end of the bucket conveyor 40 in the conveying direction. The vibrating conveyor 30 supplies the conveyed object W to the bucket conveyor 40 by dropping the conveyed object W from the downstream end of the vibrating conveyor 30.

[0029] (Bucket conveyor 40) The bucket conveyor 40 includes a plurality of buckets 41 for conveying objects W in a state of accommodating the objects W. The bucket conveyor 40 is configured to lift the objects W supplied from the vibrating conveyor 30 and accommodated in the buckets 41 to the distributing device 50 and then supply the objects W to the distributing device 50 .

[0030] The bucket conveyor 40 has a first horizontal portion 42, a second horizontal portion 43, and an inclined portion 44. The first horizontal portion 42 conveys the conveyed object W supplied from the vibrating conveyor 30 in the horizontal direction. The second horizontal portion 43 conveys the conveyed object W in the same direction as the first horizontal portion 42 at a position above the first horizontal portion 42. The inclined portion 44 conveys the conveyed object W in a direction inclined with respect to both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction between the first horizontal portion 42 and the second horizontal portion 43. In order to suppress the increase in volume, the bucket conveyor 40 is configured so that the inclination angle of the inclined portion 44 can be changed.

[0031] The bucket 41 is configured to move around a loop-shaped circulation path C formed by the first horizontal portion 42, the inclined portion 44, and the second horizontal portion 43. The circulation path C includes an outward path (outward path) in which the bucket 41 moves in the order of the first horizontal portion 42, the inclined portion 44, and the second horizontal portion 43, and a return path (return path) in which the bucket 41 moves in the order of the second horizontal portion 43, the inclined portion 44, and the first horizontal portion 42. The bucket 41 moving in the first horizontal portion 42 and the second horizontal portion 43 in the outward path is open at the top. At the end portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the second horizontal portion 43, the posture of the bucket 41 is reversed when the bucket 41 moving in the outward path moves to the return path. The bucket conveyor 40 supplies the conveyed object W to the dispersing device 50 by dropping the conveyed object W when the posture of the bucket 41 is reversed.

[0032] (Dispersing device 50) The distributing device 50 conveys the objects W toward the drop conveyor 60 while distributing the objects W. like Figure 2 As shown, the dispersing device 50 includes a placing portion 51 , a bracket 54 to which the placing portion 51 is fixed, a driving portion 57 that swings the placing portion 51 by reciprocating the bracket 54 , and a base 58 to which the driving portion 57 is fixed.

[0033] The loading portion 51 is formed in a groove shape extending in the conveying direction of the dispersing device 50. The upstream end of the loading portion 51 in the conveying direction is located below the second horizontal portion 43 of the bucket conveyor 40 (see Figure 1 ).

[0034] The placement portion 51 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. The placement section 51 has a placement surface 52 which is inclined relative to the horizontal direction and on which the transported object W dropped from the second horizontal portion 43 is placed. The placement surface 52 extends inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the downstream portion in the transport direction is located downward.

[0035] The mounting surface 52 includes an embossed surface having a plurality of protrusions 53 formed at intervals in the surface direction of the mounting surface 52. The embossed surface is formed on the entire mounting surface 52. The protrusions 53 are formed, for example, by embossing the mounting surface 52. Figure 2 A portion of the plurality of protrusions 53 is shown in FIG.

[0036] The shape of the protrusion 53 is, for example, an oval shape that is long in the conveying direction of the distributing device 50 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the placement surface 52 . The bracket 54 includes a base 55 connected to the driving unit 57 and a plurality of support members 56 protruding upward from the base 55. Each support member 56 is connected to the mounting unit 51.

[0037] The driving unit 57 is, for example, an actuator that reciprocates a nut meshing with the ball screw by rotating a ball screw housed in a housing forward and reversely using a motor. The driving unit 57 reciprocates the bracket 54 in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the up-down direction of the placing unit 51. More specifically, the driving unit 57 reciprocates the bracket 54 in a width direction of the placing unit 51 orthogonal to both the conveying direction and the up-down direction of the placing unit 51. The driving unit 57 is configured to swing the placing unit 51 in the width direction by reciprocating the bracket 54.

[0038] In the dispersing device 50, the placing part 51 having the placing surface 52 inclined relative to the horizontal direction is shaken by the driving part 57, so that the conveyed objects W are conveyed while being dispersed. In other words, in the dispersing device 50, the placing part 51 is shaken, so that the conveyed objects W supplied to the dispersing device 50 in a mutually overlapping state are conveyed while being separated. The shaking amount of the placing part 51, the shaking speed of the placing part 51, and the tilt angle of the placing surface 52 are appropriately set according to the type of the conveyed objects W and the screening speed of the screening device 10.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the distributing device 50 supplies the transported object W to the drop conveyor 60 by dropping the transported object W from the downstream end of the placing portion 51 in the conveying direction, that is, the lower end of the placing surface 52 .

[0040] (Descending conveyor 60) The drop conveyor 60 has a conveying surface 61 for conveying objects W. The drop conveyor 60 conveys the objects W on the conveying surface 61 in the horizontal direction and then drops the objects W from the downstream end in the conveying direction toward the imaging area of ​​the imaging device 70. The drop conveyor 60 is, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0041] The upstream end of the drop conveyor 60 in the conveying direction is located below the downstream end of the placing section 51 in the conveying direction. The vertical distance between the lower end of the placing surface 52 and the conveying surface 61 is appropriately set according to the size of the conveyed object W.

[0042] The conveying speed of the objects W in the conveying direction of the drop conveyor 60 is set to be equal to or higher than the conveying speed of the objects W in the conveying direction of the distributing device 50 . (Photographic device 70) The photographing device 70 includes a first camera 71 and a second camera 72, and the first camera 71 and the second camera 72 photograph the conveyed object W in the middle of the falling conveyor 60 from different directions. For example, the photographing device 70 includes a plurality of first cameras 71 and a plurality of second cameras 72 arranged in a width direction of the falling conveyor 60 orthogonal to both the conveying direction and the up-down direction of the falling conveyor 60.

[0043] The first camera 71 is arranged at a position obliquely away from the descending conveyor 60 in the conveying direction of the descending conveyor 60. The second camera 72 is arranged below the downstream end of the descending conveyor 60 and on the opposite side of the first camera 71 across the landing area of ​​the conveyed object W. The first camera 71 and the second camera 72 are arranged on opposite sides of each other across the landing area of ​​the conveyed object W, so that the photographing device 70 can photograph the conveyed object W from both sides of the landing area. Therefore, even if the conveyed object W is large, the photographing device 70 can photograph the entire conveyed object W.

[0044] Examples of the first camera 71 and the second camera 72 include a visible light camera, a hyperspectral camera, a monochrome camera, a near infrared camera, and an ultraviolet camera. The visible light camera generates RGB arrangement data of the transported object W. Compared with the spectral data generated by the hyperspectral camera and the image data generated by the near-infrared camera, the RGB arrangement data has a small amount of data and a simple structure. Therefore, the RGB arrangement data is suitable as learning data for the learning model described later to learn the huge amount of information of natural products such as herbs and food raw materials. The monochrome camera generates monochrome data of the conveyed object W. The amount of monochrome data is smaller than that of RGB arrangement data. However, when the color of the conveyed object W is unique, information about the color may not be properly obtained from the monochrome data. Therefore, monochrome data is not preferred as data for the control unit 90 to perform a quality determination of the conveyed object W described later. The hyperspectral camera generates spectral data of the transported object W in a plurality of wavelength regions, thereby being able to obtain information that cannot be obtained from RGB images and the like.

[0045] (Distribution device 80) The sorting device 80 is disposed between the descending conveyor 60 and the conveyor 100 in the vertical direction and at a position facing the descending area of ​​the transported objects W. The sorting device 80 changes the descending trajectory of the transported objects W by injecting air to the descending transported objects W.

[0046] The distribution device 80 has a plurality of injection holes (not shown) formed at intervals in the width direction of the descending conveyor 60. The distribution device 80 injects air in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the descending conveyor 60 from each injection hole.

[0047] The sorting device 80 selectively sprays air onto the dropped objects W, thereby sorting the objects W into good products and defective products. For example, the sorting device 80 is configured to spray air onto defective objects W and not spray air onto good objects W.

[0048] (Control Unit 90) The control unit 90 acquires the imaging data of the imaging device 70. The imaging data is, for example, RGB arrangement data of the transported object W generated by the imaging device 70 or spectrum data of the transported object W generated by the imaging device 70.

[0049] The control unit 90 has a learned model, and when the learned model is input with the photographic data of the conveyed object W, it performs mechanical learning in a manner of outputting information indicating whether the conveyed object W is a good product or a defective product. The control unit 90 uses the photographic data of the photographing device 70 as input data, and determines whether the conveyed object W is a good product or a defective product based on the result output by the learned model.

[0050] The control unit 90 controls the operation of the sorting device 80 based on the result of the determination of the quality of the conveyed object W. Specifically, when the control unit 90 determines that the conveyed object W is a good product, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the sorting device 80 so as not to spray air toward the conveyed object W. On the other hand, when the control unit 90 determines that the conveyed object W is a defective product, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the sorting device 80 so as to spray air toward the conveyed object W.

[0051] The control unit 90 estimates the timing when the conveyed object W determined as a defective product faces the distribution device 80, based on information including the position where the conveyed object W is photographed, for example. The control unit 90 controls the operation of the distribution device 80 in such a manner that air is sprayed from the spray holes facing the conveyed object W among the plurality of spray holes of the distribution device 80 at the timing when the conveyed object W faces the distribution device 80.

[0052] (Conveyor 100) The conveyor 100 has a conveying surface 101 for conveying the good product W dropped from the drop conveyor 60. The conveyor 100 conveys the product W in a horizontal direction, more specifically, in the same direction as the conveying direction of the drop conveyor 60. The conveyor 100 is, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0053] (Guide member 110) The guide member 110 is disposed at a position above the upstream end portion of the conveyor 100 in the conveying direction and on a falling path of the conveyed object W determined to be a good product.

[0054] The guide member 110 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the width direction of the descending conveyor 60. The guide member 110 is formed of, for example, a metal material. The guide member 110 has a collision surface 111 against which the transported object W dropped from the drop conveyor 60 collides. The guide member 110 guides the transported object W rebounding from the collision surface 111 or sliding down along the collision surface 111 toward the transport surface 101 of the conveyor 100.

[0055] The collision surface 111 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the downstream portion in the conveying direction of the conveyor 100 is located downward. A virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 intersects the conveying surface 101 of the conveyor 100. The virtual plane V is a plane extending infinitely in the surface direction of the collision surface 111.

[0056] (Discharge box 120) The discharge box 120 is disposed upstream of the upstream end of the conveyor 100 in the conveying direction and on the moving track of the transported objects W sorted as defective products by the sorting device 80. The discharge box 120 has a discharge port that opens upward and through which the transported objects W are discharged.

[0057] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The transported objects W supplied to the screening device 10 are conveyed toward the bucket conveyor 40 by the vibrating conveyor 30. In the vibrating conveyor 30, the supply path 31 vibrates, so the transported objects W are conveyed while being dispersed. In addition, the amount of transported objects W supplied to the screening device 10 per unit time is fixed.

[0058] The transported object W conveyed by the vibrating conveyor 30 drops from the downstream end of the vibrating conveyor 30 into the bucket 41 of the bucket conveyor 40. The bucket conveyor 40 conveys the transported object W in the order of the first horizontal portion 42, the inclined portion 44, and the second horizontal portion 43. In the second horizontal portion 43, the posture of the bucket 41 is reversed, and the transported object W stored in the bucket 41 drops to the loading portion 51 of the dispersing device 50.

[0059] The placing section 51 is swung, so that the transported objects W dropped on the placing section 51 are conveyed while being dispersed. The transported objects W conveyed by the dispersing device 50 are dropped from the downstream end of the placing section 51 to the drop conveyor 60 .

[0060] The transported object W dropped on the drop conveyor 60 is transported in the horizontal direction by the drop conveyor 60. The transported object W transported by the drop conveyor 60 drops from the end portion of the drop conveyor 60 on the downstream side.

[0061] The photographing device 70 photographs the conveyed object W while it is being dropped from the drop conveyor 60. The control unit 90 determines the quality of the conveyed object W based on the photographic data of the photographing device 70. More specifically, the control unit 90 uses the photographic data as input data and determines the quality of the conveyed object W based on the result output by the learned model.

[0062] The control unit 90 operates the sorting device 80 only when the transported object W being dropped is determined to be a defective product. That is, the transported object W determined to be a good product is not sprayed with air by the sorting device 80, so the transported object W determined to be a good product falls freely. On the other hand, the transported object W determined to be a defective product is sprayed with air by the sorting device 80, so the falling trajectory of the transported object W determined to be a defective product changes.

[0063] The conveyed object W dropped from the drop conveyor 60 and determined to be a good product collides with the collision surface 111 of the guide member 110. The conveyed object W colliding with the collision surface 111 slides along the collision surface 111 or rebounds on the collision surface 111, and is guided to the conveyor 100. Then, the conveyed object W is guided in the horizontal direction by the conveyor 100.

[0064] On the other hand, the conveyed object W that has been dropped from the drop conveyor 60 and determined to be a defective product is discharged to the discharge box 120 without colliding with the guide member 110 because the drop trajectory is changed. As described above, the transported objects W are sorted into good products and defective products.

[0065] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The screening device 10 comprises: a conveying section 20 including a dispersing device 50 for dispersing the conveyed object W while conveying the conveyed object W; a photographing device 70 for photographing the conveyed object W while dropping from the conveying section 20; and a sorting device 80 for sorting the conveyed object W into good products and bad products based on the photographing result of the photographing device 70. The dispersing device 50 comprises: a placing section 51 having a placing surface 52, which is a surface inclined relative to the horizontal direction and on which the conveyed object W is placed; and a driving section 57 for shaking the placing section 51.

[0066] According to the above configuration, the photographing device 70 photographs the transported objects W while they are dropping from the transporting unit 20 including the distributing device 50. The sorting device 80 sorts the transported objects W into good and bad products based on the photographing result of the photographing device 70, thereby sorting the transported objects W.

[0067] Here, in the dispersing device 50, the conveyed objects W placed on the placing surface 52 in a state of being entangled or overlapping with each other are easily dispersed by the shaking of the placing section 51. Therefore, in the dispersing device 50, the conveyed objects W slide down along the placing surface 52 while being dispersed, and are thus conveyed. As a result, the conveyed objects W fall from the conveying section 20 in a dispersed state, and thus it is easy to photograph the conveyed objects W individually by the photographing device 70. As a result, it is easy to determine whether the conveyed objects W are good or bad products. Therefore, the conveyed objects W can be appropriately sorted.

[0068] (2) The placement surface 52 includes an embossed surface having a plurality of protrusions 53 formed at intervals from each other in the surface direction of the placement surface 52 . According to the above configuration, the frictional force generated between the conveyed object W and the placing surface 52 increases compared to the case where the placing surface 52 is a smooth surface. Therefore, when the placing portion 51 is shaken, the conveyed object W in contact with the placing surface 52 is likely to remain on the placing surface 52. On the other hand, the conveyed object W that is not in contact with the placing surface 52 due to overlapping with the conveyed object W in contact with the placing surface 52 is likely to move to the placing surface 52 by the shaking of the placing portion 51. Thus, the conveyed object W in contact with the placing surface 52 and the conveyed object W that is overlapped with the conveyed object W are likely to be dispersed. Therefore, the conveyed object W can be effectively dispersed by the dispersing device 50.

[0069] (3) The conveying speed of the objects W in the drop conveyor 60 is equal to or higher than the conveying speed of the objects W in the distributing device 50 . like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the conveying speed of the conveyed objects W in the drop conveyor 60 is lower than the conveying speed of the conveyed objects W in the distributing device 50, the conveyed objects W dropped from the lower end of the placement surface 52 may overlap each other on the drop conveyor 60. When the conveyed objects W drop in a state of overlapping each other, the overlapping portion may become a blind spot of the imaging device 70.

[0070] In this regard, according to the above-mentioned structure, the conveying speed of the conveyed objects W in the drop conveyor 60 is higher than the conveying speed of the conveyed objects W in the dispersing device 50. Therefore, the conveyed objects W dropped from the lower end of the placement surface 52 are less likely to overlap each other on the drop conveyor 60. Thus, the conveyed objects W dispersed by the dispersing device 50 are conveyed by the drop conveyor 60 while maintaining the dispersed state, and then dropped toward the photographing area of ​​the photographing device 70. Therefore, it is easy to photograph the conveyed objects W individually by the photographing device 70.

[0071] (4) The virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 of the guide member 110 intersects the conveying surface 101 of the conveyor 100 . When the transported object W dropped from the conveying unit 20 directly collides with the conveyor 100 , the transported object W may bounce back and drop from the conveyor 100 . In this case, it becomes difficult to convey the transported object W by the conveyor 100 .

[0072] In this regard, according to the above-described structure, the transported object W dropped from the transport unit 20 collides with the collision surface 111 of the guide member 110. The virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 intersects the transport surface 101 of the conveyor 100, so the transported object W after colliding with the collision surface 111 is easily guided to the conveyor 100 by moving along the collision surface 111 or rebounding. Therefore, the transported object W dropped from the transport unit 20 can be transported by the conveyor 100.

[0073] In addition, when the transported object W dropped from the conveying unit 20 directly collides with the conveyor 100, a part of the conveyor 100 may be separated due to the collision. In this case, a part of the conveyor 100 may be mixed with the transported object W.

[0074] In this regard, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to suppress the transported object W dropped from the transport unit 20 from directly colliding with the conveyor 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a part of the conveyor 100 from being separated and mixed with the transported object W.

[0075] (5) The bucket conveyor 40 is configured to lift the conveyed objects W stored in the bucket 41 to the distributing device 50 and then supply the conveyed objects W to the placement surface 52 . According to the above configuration, the transported object W is lifted to the distributing device 50 by the bucket conveyor 40 and then falls toward the imaging area of ​​the imaging device 70 via the distributing device 50. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the falling distance of the transported object W required for imaging the falling transported object W.

[0076] In addition, according to the above configuration, for example, when an operator supplies the transported object W to the screening device 10, if the transported object W is directly or indirectly supplied to the bucket conveyor 40, it is not necessary to supply the transported object W to the screening device 10 at a position higher than the ground. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved.

[0077] <Modification> This embodiment can be implemented as the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within the range that there is no technical contradiction.

[0078] The bucket conveyor 40 may be omitted from the screening device 10 . In this case, the transported object W may be directly supplied from the vibrating conveyor 30 to the dispersing device 50 . The distance between the guide member 110 and the conveyor 100 in the vertical direction may be appropriately changed within a range where the virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 intersects the conveying surface 101 of the conveyor 100 .

[0079] ·like Figure 4 As shown, the guide member 110 may be arranged at a position upstream of the upstream end in the conveying direction of the conveyor 100. Even in this case, when the virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 intersects the conveying surface 101 of the conveyor 100, the conveyed object W can be guided onto the conveying surface 101.

[0080] ·like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the guide member 110 may be arranged at a position upwardly away from the downstream portion of the conveyor 100 relative to the upstream end. In this case, the collision surface 111 of the guide member 110 is preferably inclined relative to the horizontal direction in such a manner that the upstream portion in the conveying direction of the conveyor 100 is located downwardly. Even in this case, when the virtual plane V including the collision surface 111 intersects the conveying surface 101 of the conveyor 100, the conveyed object W can be guided onto the conveying surface 101. In this structure, the conveyed object W guided to the conveying surface 101 by the guide member 110 passes under the guide member 110 when being conveyed by the conveyor 100.

[0081] The guide member 110 is not limited to being formed of a metal material. The guide member 110 may also be formed of cloth, a base material, rubber, a resin, etc. In addition, the guide member 110 may also have, for example, a plate-shaped base material and a cover mounted on the surface of the base material. The cover may also be formed of cloth, a base material, rubber, a resin, etc.

[0082] The guide member 110 may be omitted from the screening device 10 . In this case, the transported object W dropped from the drop conveyor 60 directly drops onto the conveyor 100 . The drop conveyor 60 may be omitted from the screening device 10 . In this case, the transported objects W falling from the distributing device 50 are photographed by the photographing device 70 , and are sorted into good products and defective products by the sorting device 80 .

[0083] The embossed surface may be formed only on a part of the placement surface 52 . ·like Figure 6As shown, instead of the plurality of protrusions 53, portions with different friction coefficients with respect to the conveyed object W may be alternately formed in the surface direction of the conveying surface 52. Such a structure can be realized by arranging a plurality of rubber members 153 at intervals in the surface direction of the conveying surface 52. That is, the rubber members 153 and the general portion 52a of the conveying surface 52 are alternately formed in the surface direction of the conveying surface 52. The rubber members 153 may protrude from the general portion 52a of the conveying surface 52 or may be flush with the general portion 52a. According to this structure, the rubber members 153 as portions with a larger friction coefficient with respect to the conveyed object W and the general portion 52a as portions with a smaller friction coefficient with respect to the conveyed object W exist on the conveying surface 52. Therefore, compared with the case where the conveying surface 52 is formed only by the general portion 52a, the conveyed object W is easily retained on the conveying surface 52 by contacting the rubber members 153. On the other hand, the conveyed object W that overlaps with the conveyed object W that is in contact with the loading surface 52 and does not contact with the loading surface 52 is easily moved to the loading surface 52 by the shaking of the loading portion 51. As a result, the conveyed object W that is in contact with the loading surface 52 and the conveyed object W that overlaps with the conveyed object W are easily dispersed. In addition, on the loading surface 52, there is a general portion 52a between the rubber members 153. Therefore, compared with the case where the loading surface 52 is formed only by the rubber member 153, the conveyed object W that is in contact with the loading surface 52 is easily conveyed by sliding along the loading surface 52. Therefore, the conveyed object W can be conveyed while being effectively dispersed.

[0084] The placement surface 52 may be a smooth surface without the protrusions 53 . The driving unit 57 may vibrate the mounting unit 51 in the vertical direction. The driving unit 57 may rock the mounting unit 51 using a slider-crank mechanism including a motor, a slider slidably mounted on the mounting unit 51 , and a connecting rod connecting the motor and the slider. The photographing device 70 may include any one of the first camera 71 and the second camera 72. In this case, the structure of the screening device 10 can be simplified. In this structure, although the photographing device 70 photographs one side of the transported object W, when the transported object W is thin, small or thin, the screening device 10 can appropriately screen the transported object W based on the photographic data of the one side of the transported object W. The imaging device 70 may include one first camera 71 and one second camera 72. In this case, the structure of the screening device 10 can be simplified. Even with this structure, the screening device 10 can appropriately screen the transported objects W when the width of the drop conveyor 60 is narrow or the transported objects W are small.

[0085] The sorting device 80 may sort the conveyed objects W into good products and defective products using a pushing member that contacts the conveyed objects W while they are falling and pushes them out. The conveyor 100 has a main conveying path and a branch conveying path branching from the main conveying path, and the distribution device 80 may distribute the conveyed objects W to either the main conveying path or the branch conveying path. In this case, it is preferred that the distribution device 80 has a switching member at a connection portion between the main conveying path and the branch conveying path, and the switching member is configured to be switchable to a first position for closing the main conveying path and a second position for closing the branch conveying path.

[0086] The sorting device 80 may also sort the transported objects W into good products and defective products by sucking the transported objects W determined to be good products or defective products from the transported objects W transported on the conveyor 100 .

[0087] The sorting device 80 may sort the transported objects W into good products and defective products by grasping and taking out the transported objects W determined to be good products or defective products from the transported objects W transported on the conveyor 100 .

[0088] The conveyor 100 may also convey the conveyed objects W by moving a plurality of buckets that contain the conveyed objects W. In this configuration, it is preferable that the conveyed objects W are discharged by rotating and tilting the buckets that contain the conveyed objects W determined to be good or bad products around an axis extending in the conveying direction of the conveyor 100. In this case, the conveyor 100 functions as the sorting device 80.

[0089] The conveying unit 20 may be constituted by only the dispersing device 50 . Description of Reference Numerals

[0090] C: Cycle Path V: Virtual plane W: Transported objects 10: Screening device 20: Transport Department 30: Vibrating conveyor 31: Supply Road 40: Bucket conveyor 41: Fight 42: 1st horizontal part 43: 2nd horizontal part 44: Inclined part 50: Dispersion device 51: Loading section 52: Loading surface 52a: General 53: Protrusion 54: Bracket 55: Base 56: Supporting member 57: Drive unit 58: Pedestal 60: Drop conveyor 61: Transport noodles 70: Photographic Installation 71: No. 1 Camera 72: Second Camera 80: Distribution device 90: Control Department 100: Conveyor 101: Transport noodles 110: Guide component 111: Collision surface 120: discharge box 153: Rubber components

Claims

1. A device for screening herbs or plants, comprising: The transport department transports herbs or plants as transported goods; a photographing device for photographing the conveyed object while it is descending from the conveying unit; and a sorting device for sorting the transported objects into good products and defective products based on the photographing result of the photographing device, The conveying unit includes a dispersing device for dispersing the conveyed object while conveying the conveyed object. The dispersing device comprises: a loading portion having a loading surface, the loading surface being a surface inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, and on which the transported object is loaded; and The driving unit causes the mounting unit to shake.

2. The herbal medicine or plant screening device according to claim 1, wherein: The placement surface includes an embossed surface having a plurality of protrusions formed at intervals from each other in a surface direction of the placement surface.

3. The herbal medicine or plant screening device according to claim 1, wherein: The placing surface is formed such that portions having different friction coefficients with respect to the conveyed object are alternately formed in a surface direction of the placing surface.

4. The herbal medicine or plant screening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The conveying unit includes a descending conveyor that conveys the conveyed object dropped from the lower end of the placement surface and causes the conveyed object to drop toward the imaging area of ​​the imaging device. The conveying speed of the conveyed object in the descending conveyor is equal to or higher than the conveying speed of the conveyed object in the distributing device.

5. The herbal medicine or plant screening device according to claim 1, wherein: The herb or plant screening device comprises: a conveyor having a conveying surface, the conveying surface conveying the conveyed object of good quality dropped from the conveying section; and The guide member has a collision surface inclined relative to the horizontal direction and against which the conveyed object of the good product dropped from the conveying portion collides, and guides the conveyed object after colliding with the collision surface to the conveying surface. A virtual plane including the collision surface intersects the conveying surface.

6. The herbal medicine or plant screening device according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying unit includes a bucket conveyor having a bucket for conveying the conveyed object in a state of accommodating the conveyed object. The bucket conveyor is configured to lift the conveyed object accommodated in the bucket to the distributing device and then supply it to the placement surface.

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