Corn ear sorting assembly
By designing a corn ear sorting component, which utilizes a rotating frame and ear-rolling assembly for automated corn ear sorting, the problems of kernel waste caused by manual sorting and high camera recognition costs are solved, achieving efficient and safe corn ear sorting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, manual sorting during corn ear sorting leads to waste and loss of kernels, while camera recognition methods are costly and pose a significant risk of data leakage.
A corn cob sorting component was designed, including symmetrical directional components A and B, a rotating frame and a cob-rolling component. It uses a camera and a robotic arm cutter for detection and cutting, and combines a central brush, an air nozzle and a partition plate to achieve directional gripping and automatic sorting of corn cobs.
It achieves automated directional grasping and sorting of corn ears, reducing kernel loss and lowering costs. It is also simple to operate, safe and reliable, and has a compact structure, making it suitable for deep processing of corn kernels.
Smart Images
Figure CN121753616A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a corn ear sorting assembly. Background Technology
[0002] The applicant in this case, Jilin University, carried out university-enterprise cooperation with a market orientation. It learned from the expert group of Shandong Denghai Seed Industry Co., Ltd. that: at present, after the corn ears are harvested, they need to be sorted. The methods used are nothing more than manual sorting, or first, removing the outer husks and cutting directly, which causes a lot of corn kernels to be wasted, and the kernels are damaged by bumping during the operation.
[0003] Sorting corn ears has always been a technical challenge in this field. Camera identification was considered, but this method is costly, requires algorithm optimization, and necessitates the pre-storage of numerous kernel models. Furthermore, this identification method risks leaking confidential data about the ears and kernels during the data collection process.
[0004] The applicant, aiming to improve sorting efficiency, specifically addressed the issue of automatic identification of the top and bottom of corn ears for Shandong Denghai Seed Industry Co., Ltd., and extended the application of this solution to the deep processing of corn kernels. Summary of the Invention
[0005] To address the aforementioned technical issues, Jilin University and Shandong Denghai Seed Industry Co., Ltd. have conducted a series of collaborative research and development efforts. As part of this innovation, the present invention provides a corn ear sorting component.
[0006] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:
[0007] In order to sort corn ears, a corn ear sorting component is provided. The sorting component includes a symmetrical and identically structured directional component A and directional component B arranged on both sides of the directional station at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group.
[0008] The steering assembly A and / or steering assembly B include a rotating frame; a selection bracket is provided at the lower part of the rotating frame; and a central connecting shaft is provided at the top of the rotating frame for connecting a power source to drive the rotating frame to rotate.
[0009] At least three sets of ear-rolling assemblies are distributed in the rotating frame section, and the ear-rolling assemblies correspond to the inspection station, ear-removal station or ear-rolling station respectively.
[0010] The tassel-rolling station is located at the end of the side of the directional station;
[0011] The tassel assembly includes symmetrically arranged twisting roller sections;
[0012] At the inspection station, there is a camera and a cutter controlled by a robotic arm. The cutter is used to cut off the corn ears wrapped on the twisting roller if the corn ears exceed a set threshold.
[0013] At the ear-rolling station, the twisting rollers contact each other to twist the corn ears and carry the corn ears to the ear-removing station.
[0014] At the ear-removal station, the twisting rollers continue to twist the corn ear in opposite directions until it breaks, causing the corn ear to fall.
[0015] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:
[0016] The sorting component is designed for corn ears with a stem; the stem is wrapped with corn husks; and the top of the stem has a corn ear portion.
[0017] To prevent corn ears from getting tangled, a central brush is installed at the center of the rotating frame to clean the twisting rollers.
[0018] In order to blow away debris, an air nozzle is provided on the rotating frame.
[0019] To prevent interference from tangled corn ears, a partition plate is installed between adjacent ear-rolling components.
[0020] To prevent gears from meshing and getting tangled, a partition plate is provided on the rotating frame to isolate the tassel assembly below.
[0021] As an extension of system protection, a corn ear sorting system includes a transverse conveyor belt group; a corn ear sorting component is provided at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group, which is used to circulate and transport transversely arranged corn ears; and a falling vertical guide sleeve is provided below the ear removal station of the directional component A and the ear removal station of the directional component B respectively.
[0022] The corn ears are arranged laterally on the transverse conveyor belt assembly.
[0023] The main innovation of this invention lies in its ability to grasp corn ears in a fixed direction, thereby turning them away from the conveyor belt and outputting them vertically downward one by one. This invention is reasonably designed, low in cost, sturdy and durable, safe and reliable, simple to operate, time-saving, labor-saving, cost-saving, compact in structure and easy to use. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a corn cob with husks according to the present invention.
[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of the sorting station of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the orientation component structure of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the improved structure of the orientation component of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the preferred structure of the orientation component of the present invention.
[0029] The components are as follows: 1. Corn husk; 2. Stalk; 3. Corn ear; 7. Horizontal conveyor belt assembly; 9. Orientation station; 10. Orientation component A; 11. Orientation component B; 12. Lowering vertical guide sleeve; 13. Rotating frame; 14. Central connecting shaft; 15. Ear-rolling assembly; 16. Twisting roller; 17. Inspection station; 18. Ear-removing station; 19. Ear-rolling station; 20. Central brush; 21. Air nozzle; 22. Isolation plate; 23. Spacer plate; 24. Blowing assembly; 25. Rubber roller; 26. Elastic concave-convex part; 62. Side guard plate; 61. Inclined support plate. Detailed Implementation
[0030] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the corn ear sorting component of this embodiment includes a symmetrical and identically structured directional component A10 and directional component B11 arranged on both sides of the directional station 9 at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group 7; which realizes the twisting of corn ears at the heads of corn ears on both sides.
[0031] The directional assembly A10 and / or directional assembly B11 include a rotating frame 13; a selection support is provided at the lower part of the rotating frame 13, which may be a bearing seat or other rotating support structure; a central connecting shaft 14 is provided at the top of the rotating frame 13, which may be a spline connection to realize selection drive, and is used to connect power to drive the rotating frame 13 to rotate.
[0032] At least three sets of ear-rolling assemblies 15 are distributed in the rotating frame 13 to meet the requirements of three workstations. The ear-rolling assemblies 15 correspond to the inspection workstation 17, the ear-removal workstation 18, or the ear-rolling workstation 19, respectively.
[0033] The ear-rolling station 19 is located at the side end of the orientation station 9; thus, the corn ears are twisted and rolled, and the corn ears are picked up without damaging the corn ears. At the same time, the preceding ear-picking process is reduced, and the orientation position is cleverly solved by picking the ears.
[0034] Preferably, the axial linear velocity of the twisting roller section 16 of the rotating frame section 13 is greater than or equal to the forward speed of the transverse conveyor belt group 7; thereby achieving synchronous or rapid forward movement of the corn ears.
[0035] The ear-grabbing assembly 15 includes symmetrically arranged twisting rollers 16, thereby enabling the grasping of corn ears.
[0036] As a specific example, there may be extra workstations.
[0037] At inspection station 17, a camera and a cutter controlled by a robotic arm are installed to detect when the corn ear 3 wrapped around the twisting roller 16 exceeds a set threshold. The cutter then cuts the corn ear 3 wrapped around the twisting roller 16, thereby cleaning and inspecting the corn ear.
[0038] At the ear-rolling station 19, the twisting rollers 16 make opposite contact with the corn ear section 3 to twist and carry the corn ear to the ear-removing station 18; thus realizing the twisting and clamping of the corn ear.
[0039] At the threshing station 18, the twisting rollers 16 continue to twist the corn ears 3 in opposite directions until they break, causing the corn ears to fall. The twisting rollers 16 can rotate in either the forward or reverse direction at this station, thus protecting the corn ears from being ejected or bitten off.
[0040] As is preferred, the corn cob is defined, and the sorting component has a stem 2 for the corn cob; the stem 2 is wrapped with corn husks 1; and a corn cob portion 3 is located at the top of the stem 2, which clamps the corn cob. Of course, the corn cob should be kept moist and flexible, rather than dry.
[0041] A central brush 20 is provided at the center of the rotating frame 13 to clean the twisting roller 16, thereby avoiding scratching the twisting roller 16 and cleaning the corn ears at the same time.
[0042] An air nozzle 21 is provided on the rotating frame 13, which can blow air onto the corn cob.
[0043] An isolation plate 22 is provided between adjacent tassel components 15 to isolate them from each other and avoid interference.
[0044] A partition plate 23 is provided on the rotating frame 13 to isolate the tassel assembly 15 below, thereby protecting the core component.
[0045] A blower assembly 24 is installed at an angle below the corn cob rolling station 19; the blower assembly 24 blows the drooping corn cob 3 at an angle upward, thereby facilitating the feeding of the corn cob to be chewed.
[0046] An inclined support plate 71 is provided at the lower part of the rotating frame 13 between the ear-rolling station 19 and the ear-removing station 18, which is used to lift the rotating and moving corn ears.
[0047] A side guard plate 70 is inclinedly installed outside the corn hulling station 18 to separate the corn ear from the corn ear part 3.
[0048] The twisting roller section 16 includes an elastically configured rubber roller 25, which can be inflated with an air bladder and connected to a pressure pipeline. The deformation of the rubber air bladder is determined based on pressure changes, thereby determining the appropriate twisting and engagement of the corn ear. The outer wall of the rubber roller 25 has elastic protrusions and depressions 26, achieving better twisting of the corn ear, and even some of the husk tips. Simultaneously, the elastic configuration reduces the engagement space, resulting in better engagement of the corn ear.
[0049] The two pairs of twisting rollers 16 of the tassel assembly 15 rotate in opposite directions through gear meshing; thus achieving opposite or same-direction rotation.
[0050] The angle α between the axis BC of the two pairs of twisting rollers 16 of the ear-rolling assembly 15 and the conveying direction ED of the transverse conveyor belt group 7 is an acute angle. This facilitates better feeding of the corn ears into the corn cob.
[0051] As an extended protection, the corn ear sorting system of this embodiment includes a transverse conveyor belt group 7; a corn ear sorting component is provided at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group 7, which is used to circulate and transport transversely arranged corn ears; and a falling vertical guide sleeve 12 is provided below the ear removal station 18 of the directional component A10 and the ear removal station 18 of the directional component B11 respectively.
[0052] The corn ears are arranged laterally on the transverse conveyor belt group 7, thus enabling individual feeding of each corn ear. In the working process, firstly, the transverse corn ears are conveyed to the adjusting station 9 via the transverse conveyor belt group 7, where adjusting components A10 and B11 engage the corresponding corn ears. With the assistance of the blowing component 24, the corn ears are fed into the ear-rolling component 15 at the ear-rolling station 19; the engagement distance is shortened by the rubber roller 25 and the elastic concave-convex part 26, thereby better achieving the twisting of the corn ears. The rotating frame 13 then rotates to the ear-removing station 18.
[0053] At the threshing station 18, the twisting roller 16 of the ear-rolling assembly 15 rotates in the opposite direction to either eject or continue winding the corn ear, causing it to fall vertically and individually onto the vertical guide sleeve 12. The inclined support plate 61 supports the corn ear, lifting the rotating ear and preventing it from falling midway. It can be equipped with an inclined channel, thus enabling automatic falling of the corn ear. The side guard plate 62 separates the corn ear from the ear section 3, resulting in better falling of the corn ear.
[0054] During this period, inspection and repair were carried out through inspection station 17, cleaning was carried out through central brush 20, cleaning was carried out through air nozzle 21, and isolation plate 22 and partition plate 23 were used to avoid interference.
[0055] The present invention has been described in detail for the purpose of making the disclosure clearer, and the prior art will not be listed in detail.
[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that multiple technical solutions of the present invention can be combined. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A corn cob sorting component, characterized in that: The sorting assembly includes a symmetrical and identically structured directional assembly A (10) and a directional assembly B (11) set on both sides of the directional station (9) at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group (7); The steering assembly A (10) and / or steering assembly B (11) include a rotating frame (13); a selection bracket is provided at the lower part of the rotating frame (13); and a central connecting shaft (14) is provided at the top of the rotating frame (13) for connecting power to drive the rotating frame (13) to rotate. At least three sets of ear-rolling assemblies (15) are distributed in the rotating frame part (13), and the ear-rolling assemblies (15) correspond to the inspection station (17), the ear-removal station (18), or the ear-rolling station (19), respectively. The tassel-rolling station (19) is located at the end of the side of the reversing station (9); The tassel assembly (15) includes symmetrically arranged twisting rollers (16); At the inspection station (17), a camera and a cutter controlled by a robotic arm are installed to detect that the corn ear (3) wrapped on the twisting roller (16) exceeds a set threshold. The cutter then cuts the corn ear (3) wrapped on the twisting roller (16). At the ear-rolling station (19), the twisting rollers (16) contact the corn ear section (3) to twist and carry the corn ears to the ear-removing station (18); At the hulling station (18), the twisting rollers (16) continue to twist the corn ear (3) in opposite directions until it breaks, causing the corn ear to fall.
2. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting component is designed for corn ears with a stalk (2); the stalk (2) is wrapped with corn husks (1); and the top of the stalk (2) has a corn ear (3).
3. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 1, characterized in that: A central brush (20) is provided at the center of the rotating frame (13) for cleaning the twisting roller section (16).
4. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 3, characterized in that: An air nozzle (21) is provided on the rotating frame part (13).
5. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 3, characterized in that: A partition plate (22) is provided between adjacent tassel assemblies (15).
6. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 3, characterized in that: A partition plate (23) is provided on the rotating frame part (13) to isolate the tassel assembly (15) below.
7. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 3, characterized in that: A blower assembly (24) is installed at an angle below the corn cob rolling station (19); the blower assembly (24) blows the drooping corn cob (3) upward at an angle; A section is provided at the lower part of the rotating frame (13) between the ear-rolling station (19) and the ear-removing station (18).
8. The corn ear sorting component according to claim 3, characterized in that: An inclined support plate (61) for twisting roller section is used to lift the rotating corn ear; A side guard plate (62) is inclined outside the corn hulling station (18) to separate the corn ear from the corn ear part (3). (16) Includes a rubber roller (25) with elastic settings; the outer side wall of the rubber roller (25) is provided with elastic protrusions and depressions (26).
9. The assembly method of the corn ear sorting component according to claim 8, characterized in that: The two pairs of twisting rollers (16) of the tassel assembly (15) rotate in opposite directions through gear meshing; The angle α between the axis line BC of the two pairs of twisting rollers (16) of the tassel assembly (15) and the conveying direction ED of the transverse conveyor belt group (7) is an acute angle. The axial linear velocity of the twisting roller section (16) of the rotating frame section (13) is greater than or equal to the forward speed of the transverse conveyor belt group (7).
10. A corn cob sorting system, characterized in that: It includes a transverse conveyor belt group (7); a corn ear sorting component according to any one of claims 1-9 is provided at the output end of the transverse conveyor belt group (7), the corn ear sorting component is used to circulate and transport transversely arranged corn ears; a falling vertical guide sleeve (12) is provided below the ear removal station (18) of the directional component A (10) and the ear removal station (18) of the directional component B (11); The corn ears are set horizontally on the transverse conveyor belt group (7).