Seaweed raw material quality grading sorting device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials. It includes a frame with at least two parallel rotating shafts connected by a chain, rotating synchronously. A tray is hinged to the chain, and an external device transports seaweed to the tray. The chain rotation drives the tray to move. A drive assembly, located on the frame, drives one of the rotating shafts to rotate. A camera, mounted on the frame, moves through the camera's field of view. A display, connected to the camera, shows the camera's captured image. The seaweed moves on the tray, driven by the chain, passing through the camera's field of view, and the captured image is displayed on the display. This utility model quickly locates and analyzes seaweed, rapidly determining its quality, thus making the grading and screening of seaweed more accurate and faster. It significantly saves manpower and time, improving both sorting speed and quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of deep processing of aquatic products, and in particular to a sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials. Background Technology

[0002] Before seaweed can be processed into high-value products, it needs to be sorted to classify the raw materials according to their quality grade and remove impurities such as aquaculture nets, shells, and pebbles. Currently, traditional seaweed sorting still relies mainly on manual labor or simple machinery, which suffers from low sorting efficiency, inconsistent judgment standards leading to large errors, high labor costs, and large space requirements (usually requiring a drying area). This has become one of the bottlenecks restricting the high-quality development of the seaweed deep processing industry. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop intelligent sorting devices for seaweed raw material quality grading. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the aforementioned technologies. Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials, comprising:

[0005] The frame contains at least two parallel rotating shafts connected by a chain to rotate synchronously. A tray is hinged on the chain. An external device transports seaweed to the tray. The rotation of the chain drives the tray to move, uniformly conveying the single-layer seaweed raw material input from the external structure for testing.

[0006] The drive component, located on the frame, drives one of the rotating shafts to rotate.

[0007] Electrical control components, including a speed control component that adjusts the operating speed of the drive component; and a PLC control component that controls the action of the screening component;

[0008] A camera detection sensor is installed on the frame. When the tray moves through the field of view of the camera detection sensor, the appearance characteristics of the seaweed, such as color, shape, texture, and size, are collected by a high-resolution camera.

[0009] Edge computing components connect to camera detection sensors to process images and sensor data in real time, and display the analysis and judgment of camera-captured data.

[0010] The screening component includes a blowing element and a sorting element. The blowing element blows the seaweed on the tray to an external collection element, and the sorting element swings to push the seaweed from the tray to the external collection element.

[0011] According to the seaweed raw material quality grading sorting device of this utility model embodiment, the seaweed is quickly located and analyzed by camera detection sensors and edge computing components. The quality of the seaweed is quickly determined by its appearance characteristics such as color, shape, texture, and size. Based on the screening component, the seaweed is accurately pushed from the tray to the external collection element according to different quality levels, realizing the grading and screening of superior and inferior seaweed. This greatly saves sorting manpower and time, not only improving the sorting speed but also improving the sorting quality.

[0012] In addition, the sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials according to the above embodiments of this utility model may also have the following additional technical features:

[0013] Optionally, the frame structure includes two horizontal bars and several vertical legs, with the pivot hinged between the horizontal bars, the vertical legs located at the hinge points of the pivots on the horizontal bars, and connecting rods provided between the vertical legs.

[0014] Optionally, the frame is provided with a set of sliding grooves along the sliding direction of the pallet. The set of sliding grooves includes an upper sliding groove and a lower sliding groove. The pallet slides in the upper sliding groove, which supports the bottom surface of the pallet. The pallet slides to the lower sliding groove, which supports the top surface of the pallet.

[0015] Optionally, the rotating shaft includes a rotating roller and a drive tooth, which are coaxially arranged. The rotation of the rotating roller drives the drive tooth to rotate, and the drive tooth in turn drives the chain to move. The rotating roller and the drive tooth are detachably connected.

[0016] Optionally, the bottom surface of the tray is provided with mounting ears, which are hinged to the side of the chain, and the tray is rotatable relative to the chain.

[0017] Furthermore, the tray has a baffle on its side; the top surface of the tray is partially hollowed out and has a light-transmitting sheet made of light-transmitting material embedded in it; a light-emitting element is provided in the frame and is located below the camera; the light emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the light-transmitting sheet and illuminates the seaweed on the tray.

[0018] Optionally, the drive assembly includes a servo motor and a steering gear set. The servo motor is fixed to the outside of the frame, and the steering gear set connects the rotating shaft of the servo motor and the rotating shaft. The rotation of the servo motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate.

[0019] Optionally, the top surface of the frame is provided with a mounting bracket that spans the tray, and the camera is mounted on the mounting bracket.

[0020] Optionally, a cleaning device is also included, which includes a nozzle, a pressure pump, and a liquid storage tank, all connected by pipes. The nozzle is located at the bottom of the frame, with the spray direction aligned with the tray. The pressure pump operates to deliver the liquid in the liquid storage tank to the nozzle for spraying.

[0021] Optionally, it also includes a control component, which is electrically connected to the drive component, the camera, and the display. The control component controls the start and stop of the drive component, receives and stores the camera information, and outputs it to the display. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram from one angle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partial structural view from one angle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial structure from another angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partial structure from another angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a partial exploded view of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is an overall structural view of an automatic sorting and leveling component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Internal structural view.

[0029] Label Explanation:

[0030] Frame 1, Horizontal bar 11, Vertical leg 12, Connecting rod 121, Upper slide groove 131, Lower slide groove 132, Light-emitting element 14

[0031] Shaft 2, Rotating roller 21, Drive gear 22

[0032] Chain 3

[0033] tray 4, mounting ear 41, light-transmitting sheet 42

[0034] Driver component 5 Camera 6

[0035] Nozzle 7

[0036] Automatic sorting and leveling assembly 8, separating element 81, rotating roller 811, leveling element 82, rotating cone 821, convex roller 83. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0038] This invention allows users to clearly see the condition of seaweed on the tray by viewing the display screen, reducing the time and effort spent on manual handling during the seaweed sorting process and improving the sorting efficiency of seaweed.

[0039] To better understand the above technical solutions, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0040] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0041] Figures 1 to 7 A sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0042] Frame 1, specifically, the frame 1 structure includes two horizontal bars 11 and several vertical legs 12. The horizontal bars 11 are hinged to each other with a pivot 2. The vertical legs 12 are located at the hinge of the pivot 2 on the horizontal bars 11. Connecting rods 121 are provided between the vertical legs 12. The vertical legs 12 and the horizontal bars 11 can already form a spatially stable structure. Several rods can also be provided between the horizontal bars 11 to form a spatial structure to further improve stability.

[0043] The pivot 2 will vibrate during movement, and the pivot 2 plays the role of transmitting the load to the crossbar 11 in the whole structure. Therefore, setting the fulcrum of the vertical leg 12 at the hinge position of the pivot 2 can reduce the deformation of the crossbar 11, thereby reducing the probability of deformation failure of the entire frame 1.

[0044] The frame 1 has at least two parallel rotating shafts 2, which are connected by a chain 3 and rotate synchronously. Specifically, the rotating shaft 2 includes a rotating roller 21 and a drive tooth 22, which are coaxially arranged. The rotating roller 21 rotates and drives the drive tooth 22 to rotate, which in turn drives the chain 3 to move. Since the drive tooth 22 is a consumable, the rotating roller 21 and the drive tooth 22 are detachably connected for easy replacement. The rotating roller 21 can move relative to the crossbar 11, which can tension the chain 3.

[0045] A tray 4 is hinged on the chain 3. An external device transports seaweed to the tray 4. The chain 3 rotates, causing the tray 4 to move.

[0046] Specifically, the bottom surface of the tray 4 is provided with mounting ears 41, which are hinged to the side of the chain 3. The tray 4 can rotate relative to the chain 3, so that the tray 4 can move with the chain 3 in a circular motion, and can self-level to prevent the seaweed on it from slipping. The frame 1 is provided with a set of sliding grooves along the sliding direction of the tray 4. The set of sliding grooves includes an upper sliding groove 131 and a lower sliding groove 132. The tray 4 slides in the upper sliding groove 131, which supports the bottom surface of the tray 4. The tray 4 slides to the lower sliding groove 132, which supports the top surface of the tray 4. Specifically, the cross-section of the upper sliding groove 131 and the lower sliding groove 132 can be a horizontal B-shaped cross-section.

[0047] Furthermore, the side of the tray 4 is provided with a baffle; the top surface of the tray 4 is partially hollowed out and a light-transmitting sheet 42 made of light-transmitting material is embedded in it. A light-emitting element 14 is provided in the frame 1. The light-emitting element 14 is located below the camera 6. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 14 passes through the light-transmitting sheet 42 and illuminates the seaweed on the tray 4. The seaweed itself has a certain degree of transparency. By providing light from below, the imaging effect can be enhanced.

[0048] Drive component 5, located on frame 1, drives one of the rotating shafts 2 to rotate;

[0049] Specifically, the drive assembly 5 includes a servo motor and a steering gear set. The servo motor is fixed to the outside of the frame 1, and the steering gear set connects the rotating shaft of the servo motor and the rotating shaft 2. The rotation of the servo motor drives the rotating shaft 2 to rotate.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit of the servo motor is protected by an outer casing containing a main power switch. This main power switch controls the operation of the servo motor control unit and the servo motor itself. A cooling fan is located at the rear of the servo motor control unit. The fan generates airflow through the rotation of its blades, carrying away heat and thus achieving the purpose of cooling the servo motor control unit. The servo motor control unit has a lock hole for secure locking. The casing of the servo motor control unit contains a motor observation window made of stainless steel, facilitating observation of the operation and heat dissipation of the servo motor control unit.

[0051] The steering gear set includes a driving gear and a driven gear. The rotation of the driving gear and the driven gear generates force, making the speed of the servo motor controllable, thereby causing the chain 3 to rotate and drive the pallet 4 to move.

[0052] Camera 6 is mounted on frame 1, and the support plate 4 moves through the shooting range of camera 6. The top surface of frame 1 is provided with a mounting bracket that spans the support plate 4. Camera 6 is mounted on the mounting bracket. Camera 6 is a model with a small field of view and fixed focal length. Fixed-focus shooting of local areas can reduce the distortion caused by the lens. There are models of camera 6 on the market that can directly output video signals. Therefore, video content can be output without the need for other relay equipment. For example, a general surveillance camera 6 outputs through coaxial cable, and the corresponding monitor can achieve signal transmission as long as it has a coaxial input.

[0053] The monitor is connected to camera 6 to display the image captured by camera 6; the area captured by camera 6 can be magnified and displayed on a large monitor to achieve a magnified viewing effect, which is clearer than direct observation with the naked eye.

[0054] The seaweed moves on the tray 4 driven by the chain 3, passing through the shooting area of ​​the camera 6, and the image captured by the camera 6 is displayed on the monitor.

[0055] Optionally, a cleaning device is also included, comprising a nozzle 7, a pressure pump, and a storage tank, all connected by pipes. The nozzle 7 is located at the bottom of the frame 1, with the spray direction aimed at the tray 4. The pressure pump operates to deliver liquid from the storage tank to the nozzle 7 for spraying. Some mucus may remain on the surface of the seaweed, and some may detach from the tray 4. Therefore, after the seaweed is removed, the tray 4 is further rinsed to ensure that the tray 4 is clean for the next cycle.

[0056] Optionally, a control component is also included. The control component is electrically connected to the drive component 5, the camera 6, and the display. The control component controls the start and stop of the drive component 5, receives and stores information from the camera 6, and outputs it to the display.

[0057] The control component can be an edge computer with a built-in operating system. The camera 6 takes pictures according to the settings of the operating system. The captured data is imported into the computer, stored, and displayed synchronously on the monitor. The computer controls the running rhythm of the drive component 5, which pauses when the tray 4 hits the camera to achieve a good shooting effect.

[0058] An operating table can be further set up next to frame 1 to facilitate operators in taking and putting away seaweed.

[0059] Optionally, an automatic sorting and flattening component 8 is also included. After harvesting, drying and manual sorting, the celestial purslane and celestial purslane are in a clump and need to be manually flattened before being put into the production line for easy visual identification and removal of foreign objects. In order to further improve production efficiency, an automatic sorting and flattening component 8 is set up.

[0060] The automatic sorting and leveling component 8 is placed at the end of the previous process (such as the drying yard and manual sorting area) to facilitate material unloading.

[0061] The automatic sorting and flattening assembly 8 includes a separating element 81 and a flattening element 82. The separating element 81 consists of two rotating rollers 811 and a first housing. The rotating shafts of the rotating rollers 811 are parallel to each other and driven by a motor. They are connected by planetary gears or belts so that the two rotating rollers 811 can rotate synchronously in opposite directions. Several protrusions 83 are formed on the surface of the rotating shaft. The protrusions 83 intersect each other when the rotating shaft rotates. The seaweed clump falls from the top and falls into the area between the two rotating rollers 811. As the rotating rollers 811 rotate, the protrusions 83 tear the seaweed clump to both sides to break it into several smaller clumps. The clumps fall and enter the working area of ​​the flattening element.

[0062] The flattening element includes two inverted rotating cones 821 with the same taper. The surface of the rotating cones 821 is also provided with protruding rods 83. When the lump falling from the upper part of the separating element 81 passes through the protruding rods 83 between the rotating cones 821, it is torn horizontally, further reducing the size of the lump.

[0063] After being processed by the automatic sorting and flattening component 8, seaweed such as Gracilaria and Euphorbia lathyris is further broken down from a tangled state into small clumps, achieving a state similar to that after manual sorting. Compared to the original large clumps, this facilitates subsequent visual recognition and foreign object removal processes.

[0064] The method for judging the quality of seaweed includes: Step S1, the seaweed enters the tray in the frame in a flat state; the tray moves into the camera shooting area; the flattened seaweed is fed in by a conveyor belt on other equipment, or it can be put in manually. In order for the camera to capture a clear image, the seaweed placed on the tray should minimize the overlap between each other.

[0065] In step S2, when the tray moves toward the camera, the camera takes pictures at angles of 30°, 60° and 90° relative to the tray. Optionally, external light sources of different spectra can be set. By taking pictures of seaweed under different wavelengths such as infrared, visible light and monochromatic light, various defects on the seaweed can be more effectively identified. Taking pictures at different angles can effectively identify the location of defects on the seaweed, whether it is a shadow formed by overlapping or a real defect.

[0066] When a tray carrying seaweed passes directly under the camera, one option is to turn on the light-emitting element to cooperate with the camera to take pictures. At this time, under the penetration of light, some internal defects of the seaweed can be revealed, which can make up for the inadequacy of the surface pictures.

[0067] Step S3: After the tray moves away from the camera, the camera takes a picture at an angle of 120° relative to the tray to achieve all-round observation.

[0068] Step S4: The tray stops moving for 0.5 to 2 seconds while the camera is shooting. The time can also be reduced by adjusting the camera's performance to match the production cycle of the assembly line.

[0069] In step S5, the camera transmits the 90° captured image to the display screen for easy identification by the operator. Compared with the existing naked-eye recognition, this solution can effectively improve the operator's attention level. By recognizing images at a fixed angle, it can also reduce the operator's mental load and further improve the success rate.

[0070] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0071] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0072] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sorting device for the classification of seaweed raw material quality, characterized in that: include The frame contains at least two parallel rotating shafts connected by a chain to rotate synchronously. A tray is hinged on the chain. An external device transports seaweed to the tray. The rotation of the chain drives the tray to move, uniformly conveying the single-layer seaweed raw material input from the external structure for testing. The drive component, located on the frame, drives one of the rotating shafts to rotate. Electrical control components, including a speed control component that adjusts the operating speed of the drive component; and a PLC control component that controls the action of the screening component; A camera detection sensor is installed on the frame. When the tray moves through the field of view of the camera detection sensor, the color, shape, texture and size appearance features of the seaweed are collected by a high-resolution camera. Edge computing components connect to camera detection sensors to process images and sensor data in real time, and display the analysis and judgment of camera-captured data. The screening component includes a blowing element and a sorting element. The blowing element blows the seaweed on the tray to an external collection element, and the sorting element swings to push the seaweed from the tray to the external collection element.

2. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The frame structure includes two horizontal bars and several vertical legs. The horizontal bars are hinged to the pivot, and the vertical legs are located at the hinge points of the pivots on the horizontal bars. Connecting rods are provided between the vertical legs.

3. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a set of sliding grooves along the sliding direction of the pallet. The set of sliding grooves includes an upper sliding groove and a lower sliding groove. The pallet slides in the upper sliding groove, which supports the bottom surface of the pallet. The pallet slides to the lower sliding groove, which supports the top surface of the pallet.

4. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft includes a rotating roller and a drive tooth, which are coaxially arranged. The rotation of the rotating roller drives the drive tooth to rotate, and the drive tooth in turn drives the chain to move. The rotating roller and the drive tooth are detachably connected.

5. The sorting device for grading seaweed raw materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the tray is provided with mounting ears, which are hinged to the side of the chain, and the tray can rotate relative to the chain.

6. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The tray has a baffle on its side; the top surface of the tray is partially hollowed out and has a light-transmitting sheet made of light-transmitting material embedded in it; a light-emitting element is provided in the frame and is located below the camera; the light emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the light-transmitting sheet and illuminates the seaweed on the tray.

7. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a servo motor and a steering gear set. The servo motor is fixed to the outside of the frame, and the steering gear set connects the rotating shaft of the servo motor and the rotating shaft. The rotation of the servo motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate.

8. The sorting device for grading the quality of seaweed raw materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning device comprises a spray head, a pressurized pump and a liquid tank, which are connected by pipelines; the spray head is arranged at the bottom of the frame and its spraying direction is aligned with the supporting plate; the pressurized pump is operated to deliver the liquid in the liquid tank to the spray head for spraying.

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