Food foreign matter identifying and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies

Abstract

The invention discloses a food foreign matter recognizing and sorting system integrating the X-ray technology and the ultrasonic imaging technology, and belongs to the technical field of sorting. The food foreign matter recognizing and sorting system comprises a roll-in conveying belt and a roll-out conveying belt, a detecting and sorting structure is arranged between the roll-in conveying belt and the roll-out conveying belt, and the detecting and sorting structure comprises a center disc and a sorting disc; through rotation of the center disc and the sorting disc, food is separated from the transfer-in conveying belt, X-ray generators, two ultrasonic generators and a sliding rail are further arranged above the sorting disc, the number of the X-ray generators and the number of the ultrasonic generators are both two, a sorting assembly is arranged below the sliding rail, and through detection of the two X-ray generators and the two ultrasonic generators and picking of the sorting assembly, the food can be separated from the transfer-in conveying belt. According to the food foreign matter detection device, food containing foreign matters is taken away from the sorting disc, uninterrupted food detection and conveying are achieved, the food conveying efficiency is improved, whether food foreign matter detection is correct or not is verified, and the food foreign matter detection efficiency and the food foreign matter detection effect are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is a food foreign object identification and sorting system that integrates X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies, belonging to the technical field of sorting. Background Technology

[0002] The principle of X-ray imaging is based on the interaction between X-rays and matter. When an X-ray beam passes through an object, some rays are absorbed by the object, while others pass through the object and reach the detector. Different substances are identified by measuring the intensity of the rays received by the detector. X-ray imaging can be used to detect metals in food.

[0003] Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency higher than 20,000 Hz. It has good directionality, strong penetrating power, and can travel long distances in solids and liquids with high density. It can be used for ranging, industrial flaw detection, medical B-mode ultrasound, cleaning, welding, drilling, stone breaking, sterilization, etc. Ultrasonic technology can be used to detect foreign objects, physical properties, and microorganisms in food. For example, ultrasound can detect foreign objects in food quickly and accurately. In addition, ultrasound can also determine the quality and composition of food by measuring physical properties such as sound velocity, density, and viscosity. While X-rays cannot penetrate some extremely dense metals, ultrasound is extremely sensitive to some high-density substances.

[0004] In actual production, after food production is completed, conveyor belts are often used to transport the food. People often use a combination of X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technology to detect foreign objects in the food on the production line conveyor belt. However, foreign objects attached to the production line conveyor belt are often mistaken for foreign objects in the food, which often leads to false detections. Moreover, sometimes in order to sort food containing foreign objects, the conveyor belt needs to be slowed down or stopped, which affects the food production efficiency. To address these issues, those skilled in the art have developed a food foreign object identification and sorting system that integrates X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies to overcome the problems mentioned in the background. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to address the above-mentioned shortcomings by providing a food foreign object identification and sorting system that integrates X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies. This invention includes an inlet conveyor belt and an outlet conveyor belt, with a detection and sorting mechanism located between the inlet and outlet conveyor belts. The detection and sorting mechanism integrates X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies. It can detect and sort food containing foreign objects without stopping the conveying production of the inlet and outlet conveyor belts, and can also determine whether the foreign object is actually present in the food, thereby improving food production efficiency and increasing the accuracy of foreign object detection.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies includes an inlet conveyor belt and an outlet conveyor belt. A detection and sorting structure is provided between the inlet and outlet conveyor belts. The detection and sorting structure includes a central shaft, a rotating column below the central shaft, a central disk on the upper surface of the central shaft, and four support plates fixed to the side of the central disk. The support plates are evenly distributed on the side of the central disk, and a sorting shaft passes through the end of the support plate. A sorting tray is fixed to the upper end of the sorting shaft. An X-ray generator, an ultrasonic generator, and a slide rail are also provided above one of the sorting trays. A baffle is provided above the front end of the outlet conveyor belt, and the baffle is placed at an angle.

[0007] Furthermore, a slide plate is provided at the end of the conveyor belt, with rollers evenly distributed on the surface of the slide plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the lower surface of the central disk has recesses distributed therein, and teeth are uniformly fixed to the inner side of the recesses on the lower surface of the central disk. An intermediate gear meshes with the surface of the teeth, and the intermediate gear is installed on one side of the lower surface of the central shaft through a connecting rod.

[0009] Furthermore, a stepper motor is connected to the lower end of the rotating column, and a drive gear is fixed to the upper end of the rotating column.

[0010] Furthermore, four sorting gears are fixed to the lower end of the sorting shaft. The opposing sorting gears are at the same height. A central gear is also fixed to the surface of the rotating column. There are two central gears, one above the other. The central gears are connected to the opposing sorting gears at the same height by a chain.

[0011] Furthermore, there are two X-ray generators and two ultrasonic generators, which are distributed opposite each other above the sorting tray, and a sorting assembly is also provided below the slide rail.

[0012] Furthermore, the sorting component includes a slider located on the lower surface of the slide rail. A positive protrusion is fixed to the front of the slider, extending out of the lower end of the slider. A lifting block is also provided below the slider. A spring is connected between the upper end of the lifting block and the lower end of the slider. A groove is also provided on the surface of the lifting block, and the positive protrusion is located in the groove of the lifting block.

[0013] Furthermore, the lifting block is also provided with a lifting rotating shaft on its side, and a connecting plate is also provided on the surface of the lifting rotating shaft. A sorting box is fixedly connected to one side of the lower part of the connecting plate, and a limit block is fixedly connected to the other side of the connecting plate. The sorting box is shaped like a sieve, and a connecting rotating shaft is also provided on the surface of the connecting plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the sorting box is also equipped with a push plate, a push cylinder is fixedly connected to one side of the push plate, a proximity switch is provided on the other side of the push plate, and the push cylinder is located inside the connecting plate.

[0015] Furthermore, a side protrusion is fixedly connected to the side of the slider, the side protrusion extends out of the lower end of the slider, a drive cylinder is also erected on the side of the slider, a drive block is fixedly connected to the lower end of the drive cylinder, a groove is provided on the surface of the drive block, the side protrusion is located in the groove of the drive block, and a drive rotation shaft is erected at the lower end of the drive block.

[0016] The present invention adopts the above technical solution and has the following technical effects compared with the prior art: 1. This invention includes an infeed conveyor belt and an outfeed conveyor belt, with a detection and sorting structure between them. The detection and sorting structure includes a central disc that can rotate. Four support plates are fixed to the side of the central disc, and a sorting shaft passes through the end of each support plate. A sorting disc is fixed to the upper end of the sorting shaft. The height of the sorting disc is lower than that of the infeed conveyor belt and is used to receive food from the surface of the infeed conveyor belt. By rotating the central disc and the sorting disc, the food can be separated from the infeed conveyor belt without stopping it, thereby improving the food conveying efficiency.

[0017] 2. The present invention also includes an X-ray generator, an ultrasonic generator, and a slide rail above the sorting tray. There are two X-ray generators and two ultrasonic generators. A sorting assembly is located below the slide rail. One set of X-ray generators and ultrasonic generators is used to detect foreign objects in the food. Through the picking up by the sorting assembly, the food containing foreign objects can be removed from the sorting tray. The other set of X-ray generators and ultrasonic generators is used to detect whether there are still foreign objects on the surface of the sorting tray. This realizes uninterrupted detection and transportation of food, and can also verify the correctness of the detection of foreign objects in the food, thereby improving the detection efficiency and effect of foreign objects in the food. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to actual scale and orientation.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structural connection of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of the structural connection of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top cross-sectional view of the connection between the sorting tray, the central tray, and the central gear structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a front view of the structural connection of the sorting component of the present invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1-Infeed conveyor belt, 2-Outfeed conveyor belt, 3-Sorting tray, 4-Central tray, 5-Central shaft, 6-Central gear, 7-Sorting gear, 8-Support plate, 9-Sorting shaft, 10-X-ray generator, 11-Ultrasonic generator, 12-Slide rail, 13-Sorting assembly, 14-Baffle, 15-Slide plate, 16-Push-out cylinder, 17-Drive gear plate, 18-Intermediate gear, 19-Gear, 20-Stepper motor, 21-Slider, 22-Front protrusion, 23-Side protrusion, 24-Lifting block, 25-Lifting rotating shaft, 26-Connecting plate, 27-Connecting rotating shaft, 28-Sorting box, 29-Push-out plate, 30-Proximity switch, 31-Limit block, 32-Drive cylinder, 33-Drive block, 34-Drive rotating shaft, 35-Rotating column, 36-Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0021] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies includes an inlet conveyor belt 1 and an outlet conveyor belt 2. A detection and sorting structure is provided between the inlet conveyor belt 1 and the outlet conveyor belt 2. The detection and sorting structure includes a central shaft 5, a central disk 4 on the upper surface of the central shaft 5, the central disk 4 can rotate on the surface of the central shaft 5, and four support plates 8 are fixed to the side of the central disk 4. The support plates 8 are evenly distributed on the side of the central disk 4. A sorting shaft 9 passes through the end of the support plate 8 and can rotate within the support plate 8. A sorting disc 3 is fixed to the upper end of the sorting shaft 9, and four sorting gears 7 are fixed to the lower end of the sorting shaft 9. The opposing sorting gears 7 are at the same height. The height of the sorting disc 3 is lower than the height of the inlet conveyor belt 1. A slide plate 15 is also provided at the end of the inlet conveyor belt 1, and rollers are evenly distributed on the surface of the slide plate 15.

[0022] The lower surface of the central disk 4 has recesses, and teeth 19 are uniformly fixed to the inner side of the recesses on the lower surface of the central disk 4. An intermediate gear 18 meshes with the surface of the teeth 19, and the intermediate gear 18 is installed on one side of the lower surface of the central shaft 5 through a connecting rod.

[0023] Below the central shaft 5, there is a rotating column 35. The lower end of the rotating column 35 is connected to a stepper motor 20, and the upper end of the rotating column 35 is fixedly connected to a drive gear 17. The drive gear 17 has a section of arc teeth distributed on its side. The surface of the rotating column 35 is also fixedly connected to a central gear 6. There are two central gears 6, an upper one and an lower one. The upper central gear 6 is connected to a sorting gear 7 at the same height by a chain, and the lower central gear 6 is connected to another sorting gear 7 at the same height by a chain.

[0024] The conveyor belt 1 and stepper motor 20 start rotating. The food carried on the surface of the conveyor belt 1 slides down the slide plate 15 onto the surface of a sorting tray 3. The stepper motor 20 rotates, driving the rotating column 35, the central gear 6 and the drive gear plate 17 to rotate. The chain on the surface of the central gear 6 also rotates at the same time, driving the sorting gear 7 and the sorting tray 3 to rotate. Then, the food is evenly distributed on the surface of the sorting tray 3. When the drive gear plate 17 rotates, the arc teeth on the surface of the drive gear plate 17 meet and mesh with the intermediate gear 18, driving the intermediate gear 18 to rotate. The rotation of the intermediate gear 18, through the meshing of the teeth 19, drives the central plate 4 to rotate 90 degrees. The other sorting tray 3 is rotated to below the conveyor belt 1 to continue to receive the food carried on the surface of the conveyor belt 1.

[0025] Above one of the sorting trays 3, there are also X-ray generators 10, ultrasonic generators 11 and slide rails 12. There are two X-ray generators 10 and two ultrasonic generators 11, which are distributed opposite each other above the sorting tray 3. Below the slide rails 12, there are also sorting components 13.

[0026] like Figure 4 As shown, the sorting component 13 includes a slider 21, which is located on the lower surface of the slide rail 12 and can move back and forth between the two ends of the slide rail 12. A positive protrusion 22 is also fixed to the front of the slider 21, which extends out of the lower end of the slider 21. A lifting block 24 is also provided below the slider 21. A spring 36 is connected between the upper end of the lifting block 24 and the lower end of the slider 21. A groove is also provided on the surface of the lifting block 24, and the positive protrusion 22 is located in the groove of the lifting block 24.

[0027] The lifting block 24 is also provided with a lifting rotating shaft 25 on its side. The surface of the lifting rotating shaft 25 is also provided with a connecting plate 26. A sorting box 28 is fixedly connected to one side of the lower part of the connecting plate 26. A limit block 31 is also fixedly connected to the other side of the connecting plate 26. The sorting box 28 is shaped like a sieve. The surface of the connecting plate 26 is also provided with a connecting rotating shaft 27.

[0028] The sorting box 28 is also provided with a push plate 29. A push cylinder 16 is fixedly connected to one side of the push plate 29, and a proximity switch 30 is provided on the other side of the push plate 29. The push cylinder 16 is located in the connecting plate 26.

[0029] The slider 21 is also fixedly connected to a side protrusion 23, which extends out of the lower end of the slider 21. A drive cylinder 32 is also erected on the side of the slider 21. A drive block 33 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the drive cylinder 32. The surface of the drive block 33 is also provided with a groove. The side protrusion 23 is located in the groove of the drive block 33. A drive rotation shaft 34 is erected at the lower end of the drive block 33. The drive rotation shaft 34 is connected to the connecting rotation shaft 27 through a connecting rod.

[0030] When the sorting tray 3 carrying food rotates to a position below a set of X-ray generators 10 and ultrasonic generators 11, the X-ray generators 10 and 11 project images of the food on the surface of the sorting tray 3. When the X-ray generators 10 and 11 detect foreign objects in the food, the drive cylinder 32 extends downward, driving the drive block 33 and the drive rotating shaft 34 to move downward along the side protrusion 23. The drive rotating shaft 34 moves downward, first driving the connecting rotating shaft 27 and the connecting plate 26 to rotate downward 90 degrees along the lifting rotating shaft 25 via the connecting rod. One end of the limiting block 31 is located on the side of the lifting block 24, and the connecting plate 26 stops rotating. As the drive cylinder 32 continues to extend, it drives the connecting plate 26 and the lifting block 24 to move downward along the front protrusion 22. The drive cylinder 32 extends into position, and the sorting box 28 is located on the surface of the sorting tray 3. The food with foreign objects follows the rotation of the sorting tray 3 and enters the sorting box 28.

[0031] When the proximity switch 30 detects that food containing foreign objects has entered the sorting box 28, the drive cylinder 32 rises and retracts. First, the connecting rod drives the connecting rotating shaft 27 and the connecting plate 26 to rotate upward 90 degrees along the lifting rotating shaft 25. The connecting plate 26 stops rotating. As the drive cylinder 32 continues to retract upward, it drives the connecting plate 26 and the lifting block 24 to move upward along the positive protrusion 22 to reset. The opening of the sorting box 28 faces upward. Then, the slider 21 carrying the food containing foreign objects leaves the sorting tray 3. The push-out cylinder 16 extends and retracts once, pushing the food containing foreign objects out of the sorting box 28 through the push-out plate 29. The slider 21 carries the sorting box 28 to reset and continues to pick up food containing foreign objects.

[0032] If another set of X-ray generators 10 and ultrasonic generators 11 detect that there are still foreign objects on the surface of sorting tray 3, it indicates that the foreign object exists on the surface of sorting tray 3. This food foreign object identification and sorting system that integrates X-ray and ultrasonic imaging technologies will issue an alarm, and the incoming conveyor belt 1, the outgoing conveyor belt 2 and the stepper motor 20 will stop, prompting the operator to handle the foreign object on the surface of sorting tray 3.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a baffle 14 is provided above the front end of the transfer conveyor belt 2. The baffle 14 is placed at an angle. When the sorting tray 3 carries food that has passed the inspection by the X-ray generator 10 and the ultrasonic generator 11, it rotates to the area below the baffle 14. The food that has passed the inspection on the surface of the sorting tray 3 is blocked on one side of the baffle 14. As the sorting tray 3 rotates, the qualified food that has been blocked on one side of the baffle 14 falls onto the surface of the transfer conveyor belt 2 and is transferred to another location by the transfer conveyor belt 2.

[0034] The description of this invention is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described to better illustrate the principles and practical application of the invention, and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the invention and design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.

Claims

1. A food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies, characterized in that: It includes an infeed conveyor belt (1) and an outfeed conveyor belt (2). A detection and sorting structure is provided between the infeed conveyor belt (1) and the outfeed conveyor belt (2). The detection and sorting structure includes a central shaft (5). A rotating column (35) is also provided below the central shaft (5). A central disk (4) is provided on the upper surface of the central shaft (5). A support plate (8) is fixed to the side of the central disk (4). There are four support plates (8). The support plates (8) are evenly distributed on the side of the central disk (4). A sorting shaft (9) passes through the end of the support plate (8). A sorting tray (3) is fixed to the upper end of the sorting shaft (9). An X-ray generator (10), an ultrasonic generator (11), and a slide rail (12) are also provided above one of the sorting trays (3). A baffle (14) is provided above the front end of the outfeed conveyor belt (2). The baffle (14) is placed at an angle.

2. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the conveyor belt (1) is also equipped with a slide plate (15), and rollers are evenly distributed on the surface of the slide plate (15).

3. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the central disk (4) has recesses, and teeth (19) are uniformly fixed inside the recesses on the lower surface of the central disk (4). An intermediate gear (18) meshes with the surface of the teeth (19), and the intermediate gear (18) is installed on one side of the lower surface of the central shaft (5) through a connecting rod.

4. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A stepper motor (20) is connected to the lower end of the rotating column (35), and a drive gear plate (17) is fixed to the upper end of the rotating column (35).

5. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting shaft (9) is fixedly connected to the lower end of a sorting gear (7). There are four sorting gears (7), and the opposite sorting gears (7) are at the same height. The rotating column (35) is also fixedly connected to a central gear (6). There are two central gears (6), one above the other. The central gear (6) is connected to the opposite sorting gear (7) at the same height by a chain.

6. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 1, characterized in that: There are two X-ray generators (10) and two ultrasonic generators (11), which are distributed opposite each other above the sorting tray (3), and a sorting assembly (13) is also provided below the slide rail (12).

7. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The sorting component (13) includes a slider (21), which is located on the lower surface of the slide rail (12). A positive protrusion (22) is fixed to the front of the slider (21), which extends out of the lower end of the slider (21). A lifting block (24) is also provided below the slider (21). A spring (36) is connected between the upper end of the lifting block (24) and the lower end of the slider (21). A groove is also provided on the surface of the lifting block (24), and the positive protrusion (22) is located in the groove of the lifting block (24).

8. The food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The lifting block (24) is also provided with a lifting rotating shaft (25) on its side. The surface of the lifting rotating shaft (25) is also provided with a connecting plate (26). A sorting box (28) is fixedly connected to one side of the lower part of the connecting plate (26). A limit block (31) is also fixedly connected to the other side of the connecting plate (26). The sorting box (28) is shaped like a sieve. The surface of the connecting plate (26) is also provided with a connecting rotating shaft (27).

9. A food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The sorting box (28) is also provided with a push plate (29), and a push cylinder (16) is fixedly connected to one side of the push plate (29). A proximity switch (30) is also provided on the other side of the push plate (29). The push cylinder (16) is located in the connecting plate (26).

10. A food foreign object identification and sorting system integrating X-ray and ultrasound imaging technologies as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The slider (21) is also fixedly connected to a side protrusion (23), which extends out of the lower end of the slider (21). A driving cylinder (32) is also erected on the side of the slider (21). A driving block (33) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the driving cylinder (32). A groove is also provided on the surface of the driving block (33). The side protrusion (23) is located in the groove of the driving block (33). A driving rotation shaft (34) is erected at the lower end of the driving block (33).

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