Apple sorting machine
By designing the conveying and sorting mechanisms, and utilizing spiral double-bar slide rails and spiral support rails, apples are conveyed and sorted in batches, solving the problems of large footprint and high cost of existing apple sorting devices, and achieving efficient and low-cost apple sorting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU VOCATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing apple sorting equipment occupies a large area, is costly, and requires multiple testing devices and instruments.
The structure adopts a conveying and sorting mechanism, and uses a spiral double rod slide rail and spiral support rail to realize the batch conveying and sorting of apples. Through the cooperation of inner and outer cylinders, the number of testing equipment and instruments is reduced, the structure is compact, and the floor space and production costs are reduced.
It effectively reduces the footprint and production cost of apple sorting equipment, improves sorting efficiency, has a simple structure, and is easy for fruit farmers to use and promote.
Smart Images
Figure CN224253528U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sorting machine technology, and in particular to an apple sorting machine. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of my country's economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for fruit and the scale of fruit planting are constantly expanding. In the market, fruits are often sold according to their size. Therefore, how to reduce the cost of fruit sorting and improve sorting efficiency has become an urgent need for fruit farmers.
[0003] There are also various sorting devices available in the prior art that can be used to improve sorting efficiency, such as:
[0004] Chinese utility model patent (CN222112650U) discloses an apple grading and sorting device, which describes: "During movement, apples pass between size baffles. When the size of an apple is larger than the size baffle, the apple cannot continue to move and will come into contact with a pressure sensor. After the pressure sensor sends out sensing data, the external control device starts the drive motor. The output shaft of the drive motor rotates, which in turn causes the lead screw to rotate, thus driving the moving slider to move. When it moves to the appropriate position, the telescopic end of the electric push rod extends and retracts, driving the sorting push plate to move downwards. After it moves to the position where it stops with the apple, the output shaft of the drive motor rotates, which drives the lead screw to rotate, thus causing the sorting push plate to move. Therefore, the apple can be removed from the conveyor belt and moved from the slide plate to the collection box, so that the staff can quickly sort apples of different sizes."
[0005] Chinese utility model patent (CN208050397U) discloses an apple sorting system, which describes: "The maximum diameter of apples is detected by an apple diameter detection module, and apples of different grades are sorted through different grading channels according to their maximum diameter, thereby realizing apple sorting."
[0006] However, the existing technology has the following technical problems: the device is relatively long and requires a large placement area, and the device is equipped with multiple testing devices and instruments, resulting in high production costs. Therefore, this application proposes an apple sorting machine to provide a new technical solution to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content
[0007] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an apple sorting machine to address the aforementioned technical problems. Through the structural design of the conveying mechanism and the sorting mechanism, the device can transport apples in batches through the conveying mechanism and sort apples of different sizes through the sorting mechanism. Moreover, the sorting mechanism has a compact structure, which effectively reduces the footprint of the device. It also has a simple structure, requiring no testing equipment or instruments, which greatly reduces production costs and makes it easier for fruit farmers to purchase.
[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0009] An apple sorting machine includes: a conveying mechanism comprising a support frame with a conveyor belt arranged at an inclined angle, the upper end of which is lower at the input end and higher at the output end; and a sorting mechanism disposed below the output end of the conveyor belt, comprising an outer sorting cylinder, an inner sorting cylinder coaxially sleeved inside the outer sorting cylinder, and a sorting assembly disposed inside the inner sorting cylinder; wherein the sorting assembly comprises a spiral double-bar slide rail and a spiral support rail, both of which are fixedly connected to the inner sorting cylinder, and the spiral support rail is located on the spiral double-bar slide rail. Below, the gap between the two rods of the spiral double-rod slide rail gradually increases from top to bottom; multiple first-row fruit plates arranged at different heights are fixed in the gap between the outer sorting cylinder and the inner sorting cylinder, and the multiple first-row fruit plates are all inclined with the inlet end higher and the outlet end lower; multiple sorting ports communicating with the inlet end of the first-row fruit plates are opened on the cylinder wall of the inner sorting cylinder; multiple first-row fruit outlets communicating with the outlet end of the first-row fruit plates are opened on the cylinder wall of the outer sorting cylinder; a baffle is fixedly connected to the spiral guide rail at a position corresponding to each sorting port.
[0010] Preferably, a fruit conveying plate is fixedly connected to the top of the sorting inner cylinder. The fruit conveying plate is obliquely arranged, and a fruit conveying port is opened at the lower end of the fruit conveying plate. A guide groove is fixedly connected to the lower end of the fruit conveying plate at the position of the fruit conveying port. The output end of the guide groove is connected to the highest end of the spiral double rod slide rail.
[0011] Preferably, a second row of fruit plates is fixedly connected to the bottom inner side of the sorting inner cylinder. The second row of fruit plates is arranged obliquely, and a second row of fruit openings are provided at the bottom of the sorting inner cylinder and at the lower end of the second row of fruit plates.
[0012] Preferably, a conveying trough is fixedly connected to the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder at the position of the first row of fruit opening; a fruit discharge trough is opened at the bottom of the sorting outer cylinder.
[0013] Preferably, it also includes an apple storage compartment located outside the sorting mechanism, the position of which corresponds to the position of the conveyor trough, for holding sorted apples.
[0014] Preferably, it also includes a bracket supported at the bottom of the outer sorting cylinder, the bottom of the bracket is fixedly connected to a drive motor, the output end of the drive motor is connected to a fixed column through a coupling, the fixed column is located inside the inner sorting cylinder, and the ends of the fixed column are fixedly connected to the inner sorting cylinder and the fruit conveying plate respectively.
[0015] Preferably, a collection bin is placed below the bracket, and the position of the collection bin corresponds to the position of the fruit discharge channel.
[0016] Preferably, it also includes a fruit hopper disposed above the input end of the conveyor belt, wherein an anti-drop baffle is fixedly connected to the input end of the conveyor belt, and anti-drop baffles are fixedly connected to both sides of the conveyor belt.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0018] 1. The apple sorting machine provided by this utility model has a sorting mechanism consisting of inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder has a variable diameter spiral double-bar slide rail, and apples are sorted by rotating and rolling to the corresponding sorting port. The outer sorting cylinder is responsible for receiving apples of different sizes and transporting them to the conveyor trough. The design of the variable diameter spiral double-bar slide rail changes the traditional linear sorting trajectory to a spiral sorting trajectory, thereby greatly reducing the footprint of the device.
[0019] 2. This utility model, through the structural coordination of the conveying mechanism and the sorting mechanism, enables the device to transport apples in batches via the conveying mechanism and sort apples of different sizes via the sorting mechanism. The compact structure of the sorting mechanism effectively reduces the footprint of the device, and its simple structure eliminates the need for testing equipment and instruments, significantly reducing production costs and making it easier for fruit farmers to purchase. This device has a novel design, a simple and reasonable structure, effectively sorts apples, reduces labor costs, is easy to use, and is highly suitable for widespread adoption. It can fill the gap in refined sorting at the source of agricultural production and has a very broad market prospect.
[0020] 3. The conveying mechanism and sorting mechanism of this utility model are not fixed designs, and can be disassembled and transported separately to achieve convenient mobile deployment and better adapt to different relatively flat terrains; the conveying mechanism can directly transport apples in batches to the sorting mechanism, reducing the process of manually carrying apples to the sorting mechanism, and apples can be directly poured into the conveying mechanism to improve sorting efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the solutions in this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0023] Figure 2 Side view of the overall structure of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the conveying mechanism of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the sorting mechanism of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the sorting inner cylinder of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sorting inner cylinder of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0028] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the outer cylinder of the apple sorting machine provided by this utility model;
[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the apple sorting machine tray provided by this utility model.
[0030] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:
[0031] 1. Conveying mechanism; 2. Sorting mechanism; 3. Apple storage bin; 4. Support frame; 5. Conveyor belt; 6. Fruit hopper; 7. Anti-drop baffle one; 8. Anti-drop baffle two; 9. Moving wheels; 10. Bracket; 11. Sorting outer cylinder; 12. Sorting inner cylinder; 13. Sorting opening; 14. Fruit conveying plate; 15. Spiral double-bar slide rail; 16. Spiral support rail; 17. Barrier; 19. Fixed column; 20. Second row of fruit plates; 21. Second row of fruit opening; 22. First row of fruit opening; 23. Conveying trough; 24. First row of fruit plates; 25. Fruit discharge trough; 26. Drive motor; 27. Collection bin. Detailed Implementation
[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0033] As in the background technology, the device is relatively long and requires a large placement area. In addition, the device is equipped with multiple testing devices and instruments, resulting in high production costs.
[0034] To solve this technical problem, this utility model provides an apple sorting machine, which is applied to the automatic sorting of apples.
[0035] For details, please refer to Figures 1-3 Apple sorting machines specifically include:
[0036] The conveying mechanism 1 includes a support frame 4. The upper end of the support frame 4 is provided with an inclined conveyor belt 5 with the input end lower and the output end higher. A fruit hopper 6 is fixedly connected above the input end of the conveyor belt 5. A first anti-drop baffle 7 is fixedly connected above the input end of the conveyor belt 5. Second anti-drop baffles 8 are fixedly connected to both sides of the conveyor belt 5.
[0037] The sorting mechanism 2 is located at one end of the conveying mechanism 1, and the output end of the conveyor belt 5 extends to the position above the sorting mechanism 2.
[0038] The sorting mechanism 2 includes a bracket 10, a sorting outer cylinder 11, and a sorting inner cylinder 12. The sorting inner cylinder 12 is located inside the sorting outer cylinder 11. The sorting outer cylinder 11 is fixed at the upper end of the bracket 10. The sorting inner cylinder 12 is equipped with sorting components. Multiple first row fruit openings 22 are opened on the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder 11. Conveying troughs 23 are fixedly connected to the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder 11 and at the position of the first row fruit openings 22.
[0039] The sorting assembly includes a spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and a spiral support rail 16. Both the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and the spiral support rail 16 are fixedly connected to the sorting inner cylinder 12. The spiral support rail 16 is located below the spiral double-bar slide rail 15. The gap between the two bars of the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 gradually increases from top to bottom. Multiple sorting ports 13 are opened on the outer side of the sorting inner cylinder 12. The number of sorting ports 13 is the same as the number of fruit ports 22 in the first row. A baffle 17 is fixedly connected on the spiral support rail 16 at a position corresponding to the sorting port 13.
[0040] Apple storage bin 3 is located outside the sorting mechanism 2. The position of apple storage bin 3 corresponds to the position of conveyor trough 23. Apple storage bin 3 is used to hold sorted apples.
[0041] The apple sorting machine provided by this utility model, through the structural cooperation design of the conveying mechanism 1 and the sorting mechanism 2, enables the device to transport apples in batches through the conveying mechanism 1 and sort apples of different sizes through the sorting mechanism 2. The sorting mechanism 2 has a compact structure, which effectively reduces the footprint of the device. It also has a simple structure, requiring no testing equipment or instruments, which greatly reduces production costs and makes it easier for fruit farmers to purchase.
[0042] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0043] Example 1:
[0044] Please refer to Figures 1-3 An apple sorting machine comprising:
[0045] The conveying mechanism 1 includes a support frame 4. The upper end of the support frame 4 is provided with an inclined conveyor belt 5 with the input end lower and the output end higher. A fruit hopper 6 is fixedly connected above the input end of the conveyor belt 5. A first anti-drop baffle 7 is fixedly connected above the input end of the conveyor belt 5. Second anti-drop baffles 8 are fixedly connected to both sides of the conveyor belt 5. In other embodiments, the bottom of the support frame 4 is provided with casters 9 to facilitate the movement of the conveying mechanism 1.
[0046] The sorting mechanism 2 is located at one end of the conveying mechanism 1, and the output end of the conveyor belt 5 extends to the position above the sorting mechanism 2.
[0047] Specifically, the sorting mechanism 2 includes a bracket 10, a sorting outer cylinder 11, and a sorting inner cylinder 12. The sorting inner cylinder 12 is located inside the sorting outer cylinder 11. The sorting outer cylinder 11 is fixed at the upper end of the bracket 10. The sorting inner cylinder 12 is equipped with sorting components. Multiple first row fruit openings 22 are opened on the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder 11. Conveying troughs 23 are fixedly connected to the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder 11 at the positions of the first row fruit openings 22. In order to facilitate a more intuitive view of the sorted apples, the sorting outer cylinder 11 is made of bioresin board.
[0048] Specifically, the sorting assembly includes a spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and a spiral support rail 16. Both the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and the spiral support rail 16 are fixedly connected to the sorting inner cylinder 12. The spiral support rail 16 is located below the spiral double-bar slide rail 15. The gap between the two bars of the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 gradually increases from top to bottom. Multiple sorting ports 13 are opened on the outer side of the sorting inner cylinder 12. The number of sorting ports 13 is the same as the number of fruit ports 22 in the first row. A baffle 17 is fixedly connected on the spiral support rail 16 at a position corresponding to the sorting ports 13.
[0049] Furthermore, in order to guide and convey the apples sorted out by the inner sorting cylinder 12, a plurality of first row fruit plates 24 arranged at different heights are fixed in the gap between the outer sorting cylinder 11 and the inner sorting cylinder 12. The first row fruit plates 24 are all inclined with the feeding end higher and the discharging end lower. The feeding end of the first row fruit plates 24 is connected to the sorting port 13, and the discharging end of the first row fruit plates 24 is connected to the first row fruit port 22. A fruit discharge channel 25 is opened at the bottom of the outer sorting cylinder 11.
[0050] In order to guide the apples, a fruit conveying plate 14 is fixedly connected to the top of the sorting inner cylinder 12. The fruit conveying plate 14 is set at an angle, and a fruit conveying port is opened at the lower end of the fruit conveying plate 14. A guide groove is fixedly connected at the lower end of the fruit conveying plate 14 and at the position of the fruit conveying port. The lower end of the guide groove is connected to the highest end of the spiral double rod slide rail 15.
[0051] In order to guide the discharge of the remaining fruit, a second row of fruit plates 20 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner side of the sorting inner cylinder 12. The second row of fruit plates 20 is set at an angle, and a second row of fruit openings 21 are opened at the bottom of the sorting inner cylinder 12 and at the lower end of the second row of fruit plates 20.
[0052] Apple storage bin 3 is located outside the sorting mechanism 2. The position of apple storage bin 3 corresponds to the position of conveyor trough 23. Apple storage bin 3 is used to hold sorted apples.
[0053] It can be seen that the apples are transported in batches to the top fruit inlet of the sorting mechanism 2 by the conveying mechanism 1. The apples enter the internal variable diameter spiral double rod slide rail 15 through the fruit inlet. The diameter of the spiral double rod slide rail 15 changes from small to large, so that the apples roll and slide under the action of gravity. When they reach the different diameter parts of the spiral double rod slide rail 15, they fall off and are received by the spiral support rail 16 below. They are guided by the baffle 17 and transported through the sorting port 13 to the outside of the sorting inner cylinder 12. They roll down onto the first row of fruit plates 24 inside the sorting outer cylinder 11. Then, the apples are sorted into the corresponding apple storage bins 3 through the conveying groove 23 corresponding to the first row of fruit inlets 22 to complete the sorting.
[0054] During sorting, apples are guided by a special spiral double-bar slide rail 15 inside the inner sorting cylinder 12. Driven by gravity and rotational force, the apples are separated into different sizes by the variable trajectory of the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and fall naturally. The spiral support rails 16 at different stages below then receive the apples of different sizes, completing the sorting process. Through the design of the sorting mechanism 2, continuous and efficient apple sorting is achieved. Compared with manual labor, it effectively saves labor and time costs. The spiral support rail 16 structure receives the apples sorted by the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 and divides apples of different sizes into multiple sorting size standards. The spiral support rail 16 is divided into multiple segments, each with a baffle 17 at the end for blocking and guiding, allowing the sorted apples to slide better onto the outer wall of the inner sorting cylinder 12. This structure works well with the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 to sort apples, greatly improving apple sorting efficiency. The outer sorting cylinder 11 structure uses a bio-resin board with high transparency, good flexibility, and strong impact resistance as the material. Depending on the design height of the spiral guide rail 16, it is divided into multiple layers to receive apples of different sizes sorted by the spiral double-bar slide rail 15. Each layer adopts a 3-degree inclination design, concentrating the apples sorted by the spiral double-bar slide rail 15 at the lower end of the first row of fruit plates 24, where they are then received by the conveyor trough 23. This design is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, sturdy and durable, and, combined with the sorting component design, greatly improves the apple sorting efficiency.
[0055] Example 2:
[0056] The apple sorting machine provided in Example 1 is further optimized, specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, a drive motor 26 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the bracket 10. The output end of the drive motor 26 is connected to a fixed column 19 via a coupling. The fixed column 19 is located inside the sorting inner cylinder 12, and its ends are fixedly connected to both the sorting inner cylinder 12 and the fruit conveying plate 14. To collect and discharge remaining fruit, a collection bin 27 is placed below the bracket 10, and the position of the collection bin 27 corresponds to the position of the fruit discharge trough 25.
[0057] Through the above structural design, the fixed column 19 can be rotated by starting the bracket 10. The connection between the fixed column 19 and the sorting inner cylinder 12 and the fruit conveying plate 14 allows the sorting inner cylinder 12 to rotate inside the sorting outer cylinder 11. As a result, the apples slide down under the action of gravity and the centrifugal force of the machine rotation. When they reach the various sorting sizes of the spiral double rod slide rail 15, they fall off and are received by the spiral support rail 16 below and transported to the respective first row of fruit plates 24. Then, the apples are sorted into the corresponding apple storage bins 3 through the corresponding conveying troughs 23 to complete the sorting.
Claims
1. An apple sorting machine, characterized in that, include: The conveying mechanism (1) includes a support frame (4), and the upper end of the support frame (4) is provided with a conveyor belt (5) arranged in an inclined manner with the input end low and the output end high. The sorting mechanism (2) is located below the output end of the conveyor belt (5). The sorting mechanism (2) includes a sorting outer cylinder (11), a sorting inner cylinder (12) coaxially sleeved inside the sorting outer cylinder (11), and a sorting component located inside the sorting inner cylinder (12). The sorting assembly includes a spiral double-bar slide rail (15) and a spiral support rail (16). Both the spiral double-bar slide rail (15) and the spiral support rail (16) are fixedly connected to the sorting inner cylinder (12). The spiral support rail (16) is located below the spiral double-bar slide rail (15). The gap between the two bars of the spiral double-bar slide rail (15) gradually increases from top to bottom. Multiple first row fruit plates (24) arranged at different heights are fixed in the gap between the outer sorting cylinder (11) and the inner sorting cylinder (12), and the multiple first row fruit plates (24) are all arranged at an angle with the feeding end higher and the discharging end lower. The inner cylinder (12) of the sorting cylinder has multiple sorting ports (13) that are connected to the feed end of the first row of fruit plates (24); The outer cylinder (11) of the sorting cylinder has multiple first row fruit outlets (22) that are connected to the discharge end of the first row fruit plate (24); A baffle (17) is fixedly connected to the spiral guide rail (16) at a position corresponding to each sorting port (13).
2. The apple sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the sorting inner cylinder (12) is fixedly connected to a fruit conveying plate (14), which is obliquely arranged. The lower end of the fruit conveying plate (14) is provided with a fruit conveying port. The lower end of the fruit conveying plate (14) and the position of the fruit conveying port are fixedly connected to a guide groove. The output end of the guide groove is connected to the highest end of the spiral double rod slide rail (15).
3. The apple sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner bottom of the sorting inner cylinder (12) is fixedly connected to a second row of fruit plates (20). The second row of fruit plates (20) is set at an angle. The bottom of the sorting inner cylinder (12) and the lower end of the second row of fruit plates (20) are both provided with a second row of fruit openings (21).
4. The apple sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A conveying trough (23) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the sorting outer cylinder (11) and at the position of the first fruit outlet (22); a fruit discharge channel (25) is opened at the bottom of the sorting outer cylinder (11).
5. The apple sorting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an apple storage bin (3), which is located outside the sorting mechanism (2). The position of the apple storage bin (3) corresponds to the position of the conveying trough (23) and is used to hold sorted apples.
6. The apple sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a bracket (10) that is supported at the bottom of the outer sorting cylinder (11). A drive motor (26) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the bracket (10). The output end of the drive motor (26) is connected to a fixed column (19) through a coupling. The fixed column (19) is located inside the inner sorting cylinder (12). The ends of the fixed column (19) are fixedly connected to the inner sorting cylinder (12) and the fruit conveying plate (14) respectively.
7. The apple sorting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, A collection bin (27) is placed below the bracket (10), and the position of the collection bin (27) corresponds to the position of the fruit discharge channel (25).
8. The apple sorting machine according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, It also includes a fruit hopper (6) set above the input end of the conveyor belt (5), and an anti-drop baffle (7) is fixedly connected to the input end of the conveyor belt (5), and anti-drop baffles (8) are fixedly connected to both sides of the conveyor belt (5).