A sorting machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of material sorting, and particularly relates to a sorting machine, wherein the sorting machine comprises: a rack; a plurality of belt assemblies arranged side by side and spaced apart, each belt assembly is provided with a rotating shaft and is rotatably mounted to the rack through the rotating shaft, one end of the belt assembly is used for receiving material, and the other end is used for discharging material; a plurality of turnover assemblies are connected one by one with the belt assemblies and are mounted to the rack, and are used for driving the belt assemblies to overturn around the rotating shaft to sort the material to different positions. Multiple groups of belt assemblies form a multi-channel sorting mode, compared with the traditional single channel, the material processing capacity per unit time is greatly improved, the production capacity is doubled, and the sorting yield is improved. The smooth feeding of the belt assembly can not only avoid meat accumulation and material jamming, but also avoid material sticking and other situations. The turnover assembly can sort the material to different positions, improve the sorting flexibility and accuracy. The overall production capacity, stability and sorting quality are considered, and the sorting efficiency and production economy are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of material sorting, specifically to a sorting machine. Background Technology

[0002] In material sorting scenarios, such as meat sorting, meat sorting machines, as devices for grading meat quality and removing impurities, directly determine the smoothness of the production process and product quality through their operational efficiency and stability. However, meat sorting machines are often limited by a single conveying path, resulting in a limited material processing capacity per unit time and low output. Furthermore, during the meat sorting process, problems such as meat jamming and sticking often occur, frequently interrupting continuous operation, increasing equipment downtime maintenance costs, and reducing sorting stability. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the problems existing in the related art, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sorting machine in a first aspect for sorting materials, wherein the sorting machine includes: a frame; a plurality of belt assemblies arranged side by side at intervals, each belt assembly having a rotating shaft and being rotatably mounted on the frame via the rotating shaft, one end of the belt assembly being used to receive materials and the other end being used to discharge materials; and a plurality of turning components connected to the belt assemblies one to one and mounted on the frame for driving the belt assemblies to turn around the rotating shaft so that the materials are sorted to different positions.

[0004] In some embodiments, the belt assembly includes: a first roller; a second roller spaced apart from the first roller; a belt sleeved on the outer periphery of the first roller and the second roller for carrying and conveying materials; and a support plate disposed between the first roller and the second roller, located inside the belt, for supporting the belt.

[0005] In some embodiments, the rotating shaft passes through the first drum and extends out at both ends along the axial direction of the first drum; the sorting machine further includes: one or more bearing seats, disposed between two adjacent belt assemblies and fixedly connected to the frame, each bearing seat being provided with two bearings, which are respectively connected to the rotating shafts of the two adjacent belt assemblies.

[0006] In some embodiments, the flipping assembly includes: a telescopic device connected to one or both sides of the support plate and mounted on the frame; wherein, when the telescopic device is in an extended state, the belt assembly is in a horizontal state for conveying materials; and when the telescopic device is in a retracted state, the belt assembly flips around the pivot for sorting materials.

[0007] In some embodiments, the flipping assembly further includes a flipping support member, fixed to the support plate and hinged to the end of the telescopic device, for driving the support plate to flip along with the flipping assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, the flipping assembly further includes: a control module, fixed to the frame and disposed below the belt assembly, communicatively connected to the telescopic device, for outputting control signals to control the extension and retraction of the telescopic device; and a protective cover, covering the control module, for preventing debris from entering the control module.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support plate extends along the axial direction of the first roller, and the support plates of two adjacent belt assemblies are clearance-fitted.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sorting machine further includes a feeding mechanism, wherein the discharge end of the feeding mechanism is configured to cooperate with the feed end of the belt assembly for conveying materials to the belt assembly, and the horizontal height of the feed end of the belt assembly is lower than or level with the discharge end of the feeding mechanism.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sorting machine further includes: an adjustment component disposed at the connection between the feeding mechanism and the frame, for adjusting the vertical distance and / or horizontal distance between the discharge end and the feed end of the belt assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sorting machine includes one or more legs disposed at the bottom of the frame for adjusting the height of the belt assembly.

[0013] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a sorting machine for material sorting is composed of a frame, multiple sets of parallel and spaced belt assemblies, and corresponding tilting components. The frame, as a load-bearing structure, provides a stable mounting foundation for each component, ensuring structural stability during operation. Multiple belt assemblies form a multi-channel sorting mode, significantly increasing the material throughput per unit time compared to a traditional single-channel system, effectively doubling the production capacity and thus improving sorting output. Each belt assembly is rotatably mounted on the frame via a shaft, ensuring smooth material feeding and preventing material accumulation and jamming. The tilting components can independently drive the belt assemblies to tilt, sorting materials to different locations and improving sorting flexibility and accuracy. Simultaneously, the overall design balances production capacity, stability, and sorting quality, significantly improving sorting efficiency and production economy. Attached Figure Description

[0015] This disclosure can be better understood by describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a book;

[0017] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a book;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a book;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a book;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a book;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting machine illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in a publication. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that, in order to maintain brevity, this specification cannot provide a detailed description of all features of the actual embodiments. It should be understood that, in the actual implementation of any embodiment, just as in any engineering or design project, various specific decisions are often made to achieve the developer's specific goals and to meet system-related or business-related constraints, and this can change from one embodiment to another. Furthermore, it is understood that although the efforts made in this development process may be complex and lengthy, for those skilled in the art related to the content of this disclosure, changes in design, manufacturing, or production based on the technical content disclosed herein are merely conventional technical means and should not be construed as insufficient content of this disclosure.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the claims and description shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application description and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. The terms “an” or “a” and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms “comprising” or “including” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding “comprising” or “including” encompasses the element or object listed following “comprising” or “including” and its equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The terms “connected” or “linked” and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, nor are they limited to direct or indirect connections.

[0024] In some material sorting fields, such as meat sorting, sorting machines are core equipment for achieving meat grading and ensuring efficient processing. Their operational efficiency and stability are directly related to the economics and product quality of the production process. In some related technologies, meat sorting machines use a single-channel conveying mode. Limited by a single material transport path, the material processing capacity per unit time is significantly limited, resulting in low capacity and difficulty in meeting the high-efficiency production needs of large-scale meat processing scenarios. In other related technologies, sorting machines use flip-plate sorting, which can lead to problems such as meat jamming. Furthermore, meat easily sticks to the flip-plate surface, frequently interrupting continuous operation, increasing equipment downtime and maintenance time and costs, and severely reducing the stability of the sorting operation.

[0025] To solve the above problems, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure provides a sorting machine for material sorting, which can be used for meat sorting. In some cases, the width of the meat can be 120 to 150 centimeters. The sorting machine may include: a frame 110, a belt assembly 120, and a tilting assembly 130. Both the belt assembly 120 and the tilting assembly 130 are equipped with an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP66 or higher, allowing them to be washed with water.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the frame 110, serving as the main load-bearing frame of the sorting machine, can be an integrated frame or welded from multiple crossbeams and longitudinal beams, forming a stable rectangular support structure. The frame 110 can be fitted with a belt assembly 120 and a tilting assembly 130, allowing the tilting assembly 130 to drive the belt assembly 120 downwards, thus sorting the materials. Counterweights can be placed on the frame 110 to address the issue of vertical movement within the sorting machine, further stabilizing it. Counterweights can be placed on top of the frame 110 to meet strength requirements. The height of the frame 110 is adjustable to adapt to different working conditions. The frame 110 can be made of high-strength metal materials, such as stainless steel, to meet requirements for corrosion resistance and easy cleaning, preventing food safety issues caused by rust during meat processing.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, multiple belt assemblies 120 are arranged side-by-side with intervals. Two, three, or more belt assemblies 120 can be used. These belt assemblies 120 can be arranged laterally along the frame 110, positioned above the frame 110. The spacing between adjacent belt assemblies 120 can be 10-20mm, saving space and allowing each belt assembly 120 to independently rotate for sorting, forming a multi-channel sorting mode. The rotational speed of each group of belt assemblies 120 can be different to adapt to different types of materials.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, each belt assembly 120 may be provided with a rotating shaft 121, and is rotatably mounted on the frame 110 via the rotating shaft 121. Multiple rotating shafts 121 may be provided corresponding to the belt assemblies 120, including two, three, or more. The rotating shaft 121 may be a cylindrical metal shaft passing through one side of the belt assembly 120, with both ends extending out of the belt assembly 120, and its length may be longer than the width of the belt assembly 120.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, one or both ends of the rotating shaft 121 can be fixed to the preset mounting holes of the frame 110 via bearing seats 122. The bearing seats can be fixed to the frame 110 by bolt connection or other methods. The bearing seat 122 can be a side bearing seat or a double bearing seat. The side bearing seat can be set at one end of the rotating shaft 121, and the double bearing seat can be set between two rotating shafts 121 to support the rotation of the two rotating shafts 121.

[0030] One end of the belt assembly 120 is used to receive material, and the other end is used to discharge material. One end of the belt assembly 120 can be the receiving end, which can be connected to a material receiving and feeding device to receive material. The material can be transported to the discharge end at the other end by the belt rotation, realizing the entire process of receiving, transporting, and discharging material. Moreover, the continuous operation of the belt assembly 120 can reduce material adhesion and prevent meat from getting stuck.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, multiple flipping components 130 can be connected one-to-one with belt assemblies 120. Each set of flipping components 130 drives only one corresponding set of belt assemblies 120, enabling different belt assemblies 120 to flip independently, which can be adapted to materials of various specifications. In some embodiments, when the material is large-sized, multiple belt assemblies 120 and flipping components 130 can sort it simultaneously.

[0032] The flip assembly 130 is mounted on the frame 110. The flip assembly 130 can be located below the belt assembly 120, with one end connected to the belt assembly 120 and the other end fixed to the frame 110. The fixing method can be bolt connection, etc.

[0033] The tilting assembly 130 drives the belt assembly 120 to tilt around the shaft 121, thus sorting the material to different positions. By driving the belt assembly 120 to tilt around the shaft 121, the tilting assembly 130 changes the inclination direction of the belt's discharge end relative to the feed end, changing the material's movement from horizontal conveying to inclined sliding. This allows the material to fall into different collection devices, achieving material sorting. Figure 6 As shown, when foreign objects are present in the material, the material enters the collection box following the flipping of the flipping component 130 and the conveyor belt transport; as Figure 5 As shown, when there are no foreign objects in the material, the flipping component 130 does not flip, and the material is discharged following the belt assembly 120 to enter the subsequent process.

[0034] In some embodiments, the flipping frequency of the flipping component 130 is set to a high level, which can achieve high-frequency up-and-down flipping at 12 Hz.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sorting machine is constructed through the coordinated arrangement of a frame 110, multiple belt assemblies 120, and a tilting assembly 130. The frame 110 is made of high-strength stainless steel, and its integrated frame structure, combined with a counterweight design, effectively solves the problem of vertical fluctuation during equipment operation, providing a stable load-bearing foundation for each component. The height of the frame 110 is adjustable to adapt to different working scenarios, and its corrosion resistance and easy-to-clean properties meet the food safety requirements of meat processing, preventing rust contamination. The multiple belt assemblies 120 are arranged side-by-side at intervals to form a multi-channel sorting mode. The compact layout of adjacent spacing saves space, and through independent tilting, it can adapt to the sorting needs of different types of materials, significantly increasing the processing capacity per unit time compared to single-channel equipment. The continuous operation of the belts reduces material adhesion, solving problems such as meat jamming and sticking, and ensuring smooth conveying. The flipping component 130 corresponds one-to-one with the belt component 120, and the belt component 120 is driven independently. The high-frequency flipping capability can match the high-speed conveying rhythm. By controlling the flipping of the belt component 120, the material falls into different collection devices as needed. With the coordinated action of the belt component 120, the material sorting efficiency is achieved and the sorting output is improved.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the belt assembly 120 includes: a first roller 123, a second roller 124, a belt 125, and a support plate 126.

[0037] First roller 123, as shown Figure 1As shown, it has a cylindrical structure with shaft ends and can be fitted onto the outside of the rotating shaft 121. The first roller 123 can be connected to a drive device and acts as the drive roller. The first roller 123 is driven to rotate around the rotating shaft 121 by friction, thereby driving the rotation of the entire belt 125 and providing continuous power for material conveying.

[0038] The second roller 124, as Figure 1 As shown, it can be spaced apart from the first roller 123. The second roller 124, as a driven roller, has a similar structure to the first roller 123, without external power connection. One end of the shaft can be equipped with a tension adjustment device 127, which can be an elongated bore bearing seat and an adjusting bolt. Its position can be finely adjusted along the length of the support plate 126 to tension the belt 125. At the same time, it is convenient to disassemble and install when the belt 125 is loosened. It can be parallel to the first roller 123 and spaced apart, and the spacing can be set by the length of the belt 125. The second roller 124 can cooperate with the first roller 123 to form a closed loop path of the belt 125. Through tension adjustment, it prevents the belt from loosening and slipping, and ensures that the belt surface is flat. As a driven roller, it rotates with the belt, reducing the belt running resistance and ensuring the smoothness of material conveying, especially avoiding the squeezing, deformation or sticking of meat due to conveying jams.

[0039] Belt 125, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the belt 125 can be fitted around the outer periphery of the first roller 123 and the second roller 124 to carry and convey materials. The belt 125 can be a closed annular structure, fitted around the outer periphery of the first roller 123 and the second roller 124. Transmission is achieved through friction between the rollers and the belt. The inner surface has slight contact with the upper surface of the support plate 126, forming a stable bearing surface. As the direct carrier and conveyor of materials, the belt 125 is made of food-grade polyurethane (PU), with a smooth outer surface to ensure normal conveying and a flat running track to prevent material accumulation. The inner woven mesh increases friction with the support plate 126 and ensures a tight fit with the rollers.

[0040] Support plate 126, such as Figure 1As shown, a support plate 126 is positioned between the first roller 123 and the second roller 124, and can be located inside the belt 125 to support the belt 125. The support plate 126 can be a flat structure, slightly shorter than the distance between the first and second rollers, and its width can be the same as the belt 125. Both ends of the support plate 126 can be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 121 and to the tensioning device 127 via bolts, and it is positioned between the first roller 123 and the second roller 124. The upper surface of the support plate 126 is in contact with the inner surface of the belt 125, and the lower surface is in contact with the lower inner surface of the belt 125, positioned inside the belt 125. As a central support for the belt 125, the support plate 126 can counteract belt sagging caused by the weight of the material (especially for heavy meat products), ensuring that the belt surface remains horizontal or at a preset tilt angle, preventing material accumulation due to belt sagging, facilitating material sorting, further reducing the risk of material jamming, and ensuring conveying stability. The support plate 126 is made of stainless steel with a polished outer surface to reduce friction.

[0041] In this embodiment, the belt assembly 120, through the synergistic action of the first roller 123, the second roller 124, the belt 125, and the support plate 126, effectively solves problems such as unstable power, belt slippage, material accumulation, and adhesion in traditional meat conveying, significantly improving conveying stability and sorting adaptability. The first roller 123, as the driving roller, is connected to the drive device via the rotating shaft 121, providing continuous and adjustable power to the belt 125 to ensure stable conveying of meat materials. The second roller 124, as the driven roller, can flexibly fine-tune its position in conjunction with the tension adjustment device 127, which can precisely tension the belt 125 to prevent slack and slippage, and facilitate belt disassembly and maintenance. At the same time, it forms a closed conveying path with the first roller 123, ensuring continuous conveying. The food-grade PU material belt 125 has a smooth outer side to reduce meat adhesion, while the inner mesh enhances friction with the support plate 126 and the fit with the rollers, improving transmission stability. The support plate 126 fits against the inner side of the belt, effectively counteracting belt sagging caused by the weight of the material, maintaining the belt horizontally or at a preset tilt angle, and preventing meat from accumulating and getting stuck due to belt indentation. This lays the foundation for subsequent accurate sorting and meets the overall hygiene and efficiency requirements of meat processing.

[0042] In some embodiments, the rotating shaft 121 may pass through the first roller 123 and extend out at both ends along the axial direction of the first roller 123; such as Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the sorting machine may further include: one or more bearing seats 122, which can be disposed between two adjacent belt assemblies 120 and fixedly connected to the frame 110. Each bearing seat 122 contains two bearings, which are respectively connected to the rotating shafts 121 of the two adjacent belt assemblies 120. A first roller 123 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft 121, and the rotating shaft 121 can extend outward along the axial direction of the first roller 123. The shaft end can be connected to the frame 110 or disposed in the bearing. The bearing seat 122 can be an integrated structure with dual-shaft support, located between two adjacent belt assemblies 120, which facilitates the sharing of one bearing seat 122 by two bearings and allows both rotating shafts 121 to be disposed in their respective bearings. The interval between the two bearings can be 5-15 mm, which can effectively shorten the interval between the two sorting modules and facilitate sorting. The bottom of the bearing seat 122 is bolted or welded to the frame 110 to ensure that the bearing seat is stably positioned. The two bearings are installed independently and are respectively matched with the two adjacent rotating shafts 121. This ensures that the rotating shafts 121 of the two adjacent belt assemblies 120 can rotate independently without interference. It provides rigid support for the rotating shafts 121 of the adjacent belt assemblies 120, prevents the rotating shafts 121 from bending and deforming, and ensures the long-term stable operation of the belt assembly 120. In addition, the two bearings share a bearing housing 122, which helps to save costs.

[0043] In this embodiment, the bearing housing 122 serves as a key support component for the rotating shaft 121 of the adjacent belt assembly 120. Through a dual-shaft integrated design and independent bearing layout, it achieves dual optimization of functionality and economy. Furthermore, the structure of the two rotating shafts 121 sharing a single bearing housing 122 simplifies the number of components and effectively saves manufacturing costs and installation space.

[0044] In some embodiments, the flipping assembly 130 may include: a telescopic device, which can be connected to one or both sides of the support plate 126 and mounted on the frame 110; wherein, when the telescopic device is in an extended state, the belt assembly 120 is in a horizontal state for conveying materials; when the telescopic device is in a retracted state, the belt assembly 120 flips around the pivot 121 for sorting materials. The telescopic device can be the core power source of the flipping assembly 130, and can be a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, etc. The piston rod of the telescopic device can be hinged to one or both sides of the support plate 126 at symmetrical positions. The symmetrical connection of the telescopic device to both sides of the support plate can balance the force, improve the horizontal stability and flipping accuracy of the belt, and reduce sorting deviation; the cylinder body or shell of the telescopic device can be connected to the frame 110 through a fixed support, and the cylinder body or shell can be hinged to the fixed support. The connection between the fixed support and the frame 110 can be a bolt connection, etc. In some embodiments, the piston rod of the telescopic device extends, keeping the belt horizontal and ensuring smooth transport of meat materials. In other embodiments, when the piston rod retracts, the belt 125 can rotate around the pivot 121, allowing the material to slide into the collection device, creating a high-frequency up-and-down rotation with the belt assembly 120. The telescopic device can automatically rotate according to its extension and retraction. The telescopic device can be positioned below the belt assembly 120, without obstructing the view above the belt 125, facilitating work and observation above the belt 125.

[0045] In this embodiment, the telescopic device, as the core power component of the flipping assembly 130, can convey and sort the belt assembly 120 by extending and retracting. When its piston rod extends, it can stably support the belt assembly 120 to maintain a horizontal position, ensuring that the meat material is smoothly conveyed along the flat belt and avoiding accumulation, jamming, and sticking caused by belt tilting or shaking. When the piston rod retracts, it drives the belt assembly 120 to flip around the rotating shaft 121, allowing the material to quickly slide to the designated collection device, improving the sorting response efficiency. The overall structure is adaptable to water washing, meets the hygiene requirements of meat processing, and combines practicality and durability.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the tilting assembly 130 may further include: a tilting support 131, which can be fixed to the support plate 126 and hinged to the end of the telescopic device, for driving the support plate 126 to tilt with the tilting assembly 130. The tilting support 131 may be U-shaped with the opening facing upwards, and is integrally bent or welded from three sections of stainless steel sheet. Both ends are fixedly connected to the sides of the support plate 126, and the fixing connection method can be bolt connection. The piston rod end of the telescopic device (such as a cylinder or hydraulic cylinder) is hinged to the middle horizontal plate of the tilting support 131 through a pin, forming a rotatable movable connection. The tilting support 131 can rotate with the telescopic device. When the piston rod of the telescopic device retracts, the tilting support 131 can move downwards, driving the support plate 126 to move downwards, and the belt assembly 120 tilts downwards for material sorting. When the piston rod of the telescopic device extends, the tilting support 131 moves upwards slightly, driving the support plate 126 to move upwards, and the belt assembly 120 conveys materials normally and smoothly.

[0047] In this embodiment, the tilting support 131, through its U-shaped symmetrical structure and hinged design, achieves efficient and stable power transmission between the telescopic device and the support plate 126, significantly improving the tilting accuracy and operational reliability of the belt assembly 120. Its upward-facing U-shaped structure, symmetrically fixed to both sides of the support plate 126, evenly transmits the power of the telescopic device to the support plate, preventing belt tilting caused by unilateral force and ensuring accurate material falling into the target collection device, reducing sorting deviation. The hinged connection with the telescopic device ensures seamless telescopic extension and retraction with the belt conveying and tilting actions, improving sorting efficiency and equipment stability.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the flipping assembly 130 may also include a control module 132 and a protective cover 133.

[0049] The control module 132, which can be fixed to the frame 110 and positioned below the belt assembly 120, is communicatively connected to the telescopic device and outputs control signals to control the extension and retraction of the telescopic device. The control module 132 can be cuboid in shape, positioned below the frame 110, and its housing may have a pre-installed waterproof connector. The control module 132 can communicate with the control terminal of the telescopic device, transmit control signals, and control the extension and retraction of the piston rod of the telescopic device. Upon receiving a sorting command (which could be a foreign object identification signal), the control module 132 can output a flipping control signal to drive the piston rod of the telescopic device to retract, ensuring that the belt assembly 120 flips downwards to sort different types of materials. Upon receiving a command indicating the absence of foreign objects, the control module 131 can output a retraction control signal to drive the piston rod of the telescopic device to extend, ensuring that the belt assembly 120 conveys materials horizontally, facilitating subsequent operations.

[0050] A protective cover 133 can be installed over the control module 132 to prevent foreign objects from entering the control module. The top of the control module 132 can be covered by the protective cover 133, which is a semi-enclosed cover structure with an overall rectangular outline that matches the control module. Its size is slightly larger than the control module to ensure that the internal control module is completely covered. It can be used as a rain cap to prevent moisture from entering the control module. It effectively blocks the intrusion of crumbs, dust, oil stains and scattered materials generated during meat processing into the interior of the control module, avoiding short circuits, poor contact and other malfunctions caused by foreign objects adhering to the control module, and extending the service life of the control module.

[0051] In this embodiment, the control module 132 can output control commands in real time based on sorting signals (such as foreign object identification results) to drive the telescopic device to extend and retract the piston rod, thereby switching the belt assembly 120 between horizontal conveying and flipping sorting states, ensuring that meat materials are diverted as needed and adapting to diverse sorting requirements. The protective cover 133 completely covers the control module with a semi-enclosed cover, effectively preventing the intrusion of debris, dust, oil, and rinsing water generated during meat processing, avoiding circuit failures caused by foreign matter attachment, and is easy to disassemble and maintain.

[0052] In some embodiments, the support plate 126 extends along the axial direction of the first roller 123, and the support plates 126 of adjacent belt assemblies 120 are clearance-fitted. For example... Figure 4 As shown, a material-blocking slide plate 128 can be provided between two adjacent belts 125. The material-blocking slide plate 128 can be a component extending from the support plate 126 along the axial direction of the first roller 123. It is provided between the two belt assemblies 120, and can be provided on one support plate 126, two adjacent support plates 126, or both adjacent support plates 126. It can prevent materials from slipping and falling to the ground. The material-blocking slide plate 128 can be 1-5 mm lower than the belt 125, effectively preventing materials from slipping. The material-blocking slide plate 128 is made of stainless steel and has a polished outer surface to reduce friction.

[0053] In this embodiment, the material blocking slide plate 128 serves as an extension of the support plate, filling the gap between adjacent belt assemblies 120 and effectively preventing material from sliding off the side of the belt, thus avoiding waste and pollution caused by material falling to the ground. The material blocking slide plate 128 is designed to be slightly lower than the belt height, ensuring that it does not obstruct the normal conveying and sorting of materials on the belt while firmly stopping any misaligned materials, thus guaranteeing the integrity of the conveying process. The material blocking slide plate 128 is an integrated extension of the support plate, eliminating the need for additional complex structures and not affecting the independent flipping action of adjacent belt assemblies 120. This maintains the flexibility of multi-channel sorting, further improving the stability and economy of equipment operation and reducing the frequency of downtime for cleaning due to material falling.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the sorting machine may further include a feeding mechanism 140, the discharge end of which is configured to cooperate with the feed end of the belt assembly 120 for conveying materials to the belt assembly 120. The feeding mechanism 140 can be a material pre-conveyor unit of the sorting machine, and may include an electric roller 141, a driven roller 142, a feeding belt 143, a belt support 144, and a tensioning module 145, etc. The electric roller 141 can be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the driven roller 142. The electric roller 141 can be connected to a motor to provide power for conveying. The driven roller 142 can be equipped with a tension adjustment device (such as an elongated bore bearing seat) to finely adjust its position to tension the feeding belt. The feeding belt can be a closed loop structure, sleeved around the outer circumference of the two rollers, and can be driven by the electric roller 141 to rotate the driven roller 142. The two sides of the belt support 144 can be fixedly connected to the tensioning module 145 and the fixed structure of the electric roller 141. The tensioning module 145 can be used to tension the feeding belt, and it is easy to disassemble and install when loosened. The belt support 144 can be made of stainless steel with a polished outer surface to reduce friction. The discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140 can be matched with the feed end of the belt assembly 120 to smoothly transfer the material to the belt assembly 120, ensuring that the material is not jammed or falling. The feeding mechanism 140 can continuously and evenly transport meat materials to the feed end of the belt assembly 120, ensuring continuous operation of the sorting machine and improving overall processing efficiency. The feeding mechanism 140 can divide the material into multiple rows, which can be two or three rows, to facilitate subsequent entry into the corresponding multiple belt assemblies 120.

[0055] In some embodiments, the feed end of the belt assembly 120 is level with the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140. The upper surface of the belt 125 at the feed end of the belt assembly 120 is level with the upper surface of the feeding belt at the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140, with the height error controlled within 0.5mm, which can form a continuous and flat conveying surface, allowing the material to be smoothly conveyed to the belt assembly 120.

[0056] In some embodiments, the horizontal height of the feed end of the belt assembly 120 is lower than that of the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140. The upper surface of the belt 125 at the feed end of the belt assembly 120 is 1-3 mm lower than the upper surface of the feeding belt at the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140, and the height difference is a smooth transition. Compared with being flush with the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140, the material can be conveyed to the belt assembly 120 more smoothly.

[0057] In this embodiment, the feeding mechanism 140, through the coordinated operation of components such as the electric roller 141, driven roller 142, and tensioning module 145, provides stable pre-conveying for the sorting machine. The electric roller 141 outputs continuous power, the tensioning module 145 adjusts the tension of the feeding belt and facilitates easy disassembly and assembly, and the stainless steel polished design of the belt support 144 reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation of the feeding belt and achieving continuous and uniform feeding of meat materials. This avoids the intermittent nature of manual feeding, ensures continuous operation of the sorting machine, and improves overall processing efficiency. The two height options at the feed end of the belt assembly 120 further optimize material transition: a flush design creates a continuous and flat conveying surface, preventing material jamming or falling, and is suitable for conveying most types of meat; a gentler transition design lower than the belt assembly 120 guides the material to slide naturally, making it more suitable for soft, easily sticky meats and preventing material stagnation at the feeding end. Both options reduce material loss and contamination, and combined with the stable feeding of the feeding mechanism 140, lay the foundation for subsequent sorting, improving equipment adaptability and operational stability.

[0058] In some embodiments, the sorting machine may further include an adjustment component (not shown in the figure), disposed at the connection between the feeding mechanism 140 and the frame 110, for adjusting the horizontal distance between the discharge end and the feed end of the belt assembly 120. The adjustment component may be a chute or a U-shaped groove. A support plate is provided on the belt support of the feeding mechanism 140. The support plate can adjust the horizontal position of the feeding mechanism 140 relative to the belt assembly 120 through the U-shaped groove, which can effectively connect the gap between the two, effectively avoid errors, and meet the requirement of smooth feeding without jamming materials.

[0059] In some embodiments, the sorting machine may further include an adjustment component disposed at the connection between the feeding mechanism 140 and the frame 110, for adjusting the vertical distance between the discharge end and the feed end of the belt assembly 120. The adjustment component may be a shim, an adjusting screw, etc., and may increase the height of the support plate in order to adjust the vertical distance between the discharge end and the feed end of the belt assembly 120.

[0060] In some embodiments, the adjusting component can simultaneously adjust the vertical distance and horizontal distance between the discharge end of the feeding mechanism 140 and the feed end of the belt assembly 120.

[0061] In this embodiment, the adjustment component solves the docking problem between the feeding mechanism 140 and the feed end of the belt assembly 120 through horizontal and vertical adjustment functions, ensuring smooth material conveying. Horizontally, relying on the U-shaped groove structure and the support plate on the belt support of the feeding mechanism, the horizontal position of both can be flexibly adjusted, effectively eliminating docking gap errors and preventing material from getting stuck or leaking due to lateral misalignment. Vertically, with the help of shims, adjusting screws, and other components, the height of the discharge end of the feeding mechanism can be finely adjusted, ensuring stable material conveying to the belt assembly 120. This reduces maintenance costs and lays a stable supply foundation for subsequent sorting processes, ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the sorting machine.

[0062] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the sorting machine may further include one or more support legs 150, which can be disposed at the bottom of the frame 110 for adjusting the height of the belt assembly 120. One or more support legs 150 can be provided, disposed at the bottom of the frame 110, and can be a spiral lifting structure, configured as an adjusting screw. A matching adjusting nut is fitted onto the middle of the adjusting screw, and can be locked after adjustment. This allows for height adjustment from -100 mm to +150 mm, meeting the height requirements of different production lines. In this embodiment, the support legs 150, through a spiral lifting structure (adjusting screw + matching nut), can adjust the height of the belt assembly 120. Its wide adjustment range of -100 mm to +150 mm can adapt to the height requirements of different production lines. Whether connecting to a higher upstream feeding mechanism or matching a lower downstream collection device, the height of the belt assembly 120 can be quickly calibrated without modifying the main structure of the sorting machine, improving the equipment's versatility across multiple production lines. After adjustment, the matching nut can firmly lock the screw, preventing height deviation caused by vibration during equipment operation (such as belt conveyor or component rotation). This ensures that the belt assembly 120 is always at a stable height, preventing material from jamming, shifting, or falling due to unstable height. This extends the equipment's lifespan and provides reliable bottom support for the continuous and efficient operation of the sorting machine.

[0063] In some embodiments, the sorting machine can be configured for meat sorting, with a smooth and efficient workflow. First, the feeding mechanism 140 drives the feeding belt via an electric roller to continuously and evenly convey the meat material to the feed end of the belt assembly 120. The adjusting component 150 can be adjusted horizontally and vertically to calibrate the docking position between the feeding end and the feed end, eliminating gap errors. The belt assembly 120, relying on the first roller 123 (actively driven), the second roller 124, and the inner support plate 126, keeps the belt 125 flat, stably conveying the material to the discharge end. The frame 110, through a high-strength stainless steel frame and bottom support legs 150 (height adjustable from -100 to +150 mm), provides stable support for the entire machine and adapts to different production line heights. When the control module 132 receives a sorting instruction such as foreign object identification, it will drive the telescopic device of the flipping component 130 to retract, causing the belt assembly 120 to flip around the rotating shaft 121, and the material will fall into the designated collection device. When there is no sorting requirement, the telescopic device extends, the belt 125 keeps horizontal and transports the material to the subsequent process. The material blocking slide plate 128 can prevent the material from leaking from the gap between adjacent belts. The protective cover 133 protects the control module 132 from the intrusion of foreign objects. The whole machine is set with an IP66 waterproof rating to support water washing.

[0064] In this embodiment, multiple belt assemblies 120 are arranged side-by-side to form a multi-channel mode, which can independently flip and sort. Combined with a 12Hz high-frequency flipping capability, the processing capacity per unit time is significantly increased compared to single-channel equipment. Continuous belt operation and flat support reduce meat adhesion and jamming, while continuous feeding by the feeding mechanism avoids interruptions, ensuring overall processing efficiency. The height matching between the adjustment component and the feeding belt eliminates docking deviations, reducing material jamming and falling. The material blocking slide plate 128 prevents material leakage, reducing meat loss and the risk of equipment jamming. The entire machine is made of stainless steel with IP66 waterproof rating, meeting meat processing hygiene standards and easy to clean. The height adjustment of the support legs 150 and the dual-dimensional calibration of the adjustment components allow for adaptation to different production lines and material specifications without requiring modification of the main structure, demonstrating high versatility. The coordinated operation of all components reduces the frequency of failures, extends equipment lifespan, and reduces maintenance costs.

[0065] This application uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the application. Terms such as "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" in different locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the application can be appropriately combined.

[0066] In the context of this application, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not specifically refer to the singular and may also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of explicitly identified steps and elements, which do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0067] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description of the present application and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments, the foregoing description of the embodiments of the present application sometimes combines multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not imply that the subject matter of the present application requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments contain fewer features than all the features of the single embodiments disclosed above.

[0068] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the above disclosure is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this application. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this application, and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A sorting machine for sorting materials, wherein, The sorting machine includes: frame; Multiple belt assemblies are arranged side by side at intervals. Each belt assembly is provided with a rotating shaft and is rotatably mounted on the frame via the rotating shaft. One end of each belt assembly is used to receive material and the other end is used to discharge material. Multiple flipping components are connected one-to-one with the belt assembly and installed on the frame to drive the belt assembly to flip around the rotating shaft so that the material is sorted to different positions.

2. The sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The belt assembly includes: First roller; The second roller is spaced apart from the first roller; A belt, fitted around the outer periphery of the first and second rollers, is used to carry and transport the material. A support plate is disposed between the first roller and the second roller, located on the inner side of the belt, and is used to support the belt.

3. The sorting machine according to claim 2, wherein, The rotating shaft passes through the first drum and extends out at both ends along the axial direction of the first drum; The sorting machine also includes: One or more bearing housings are disposed between two adjacent belt assemblies and are fixedly connected to the frame. Each bearing housing contains two bearings, which are respectively connected to the rotating shafts of the two adjacent belt assemblies.

4. The sorting machine according to claim 2, wherein, The flipping assembly includes: a telescopic device connected to one or both sides of the support plate and installed on the frame; wherein, when the telescopic device is in an extended state, the belt assembly is in a horizontal state for conveying the material; when the telescopic device is in a retracted state, the belt assembly flips around the rotating shaft for sorting the material.

5. The sorting machine according to claim 4, wherein, The flipping assembly further includes a flipping support member, which is fixed to the support plate and hinged to the end of the telescopic device, for driving the support plate to flip along with the flipping assembly.

6. The sorting machine according to claim 4, wherein, The flipping component also includes: A control module, fixed to the frame and located below the belt assembly, is communicatively connected to the telescopic device and is used to output control signals to control the extension and retraction of the telescopic device; A protective cover is installed over the control module to prevent foreign objects from entering the control module.

7. The sorting machine according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein, The support plate extends along the axial direction of the first roller, and the support plates of two adjacent belt assemblies are fitted with a clearance.

8. The sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The sorting machine further includes a feeding mechanism, wherein the discharge end of the feeding mechanism is configured to cooperate with the feed end of the belt assembly for conveying the material to the belt assembly, and the horizontal height of the feed end of the belt assembly is lower than or level with the discharge end of the feeding mechanism.

9. The sorting machine according to claim 8, wherein, The sorting machine further includes an adjustment component, located at the connection between the feeding mechanism and the frame, for adjusting the vertical distance and / or horizontal distance between the discharge end and the feed end of the belt assembly.

10. The sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The sorting machine includes one or more support legs, located at the bottom of the frame, for adjusting the height of the belt assembly.

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