An automated vegetable and fruit sorting device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of vegetable and fruit automation sorting device, specifically to vegetable and fruit sorting technical field, including the sorting frame on ground, multiple transmission shafts are set on the upper end of sorting frame, and blanking gap is left between adjacent transmission shafts, multiple position fixed separation sliding ring are movably sleeved on each transmission shaft, multiple closed flexible sorting ropes are also set on the sorting frame, each flexible sorting rope is sequentially passed through one separation sliding ring on each transmission shaft corresponding with position and keeps tension state, the looped path of each flexible sorting rope does not intersect, and along the vegetable and fruit conveying direction, the spacing between adjacent two flexible sorting ropes is gradually widened from narrow to wide.The utility model has the following advantages and effects: by flexible sorting rope cooperation with axially movable separation sliding ring, the quick stepless adjustment of sorting spacing is realized, without replacing any component, flexible adaptation to frequent production change demand in multi-variety, small-batch production scene.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to fruit and vegetable sorting technology, and in particular to an automated fruit and vegetable sorting device. Background Technology

[0002] In the post-harvest automated sorting of spherical or near-spherical fruits and vegetables (such as apples, citrus fruits, and tomatoes), while machine vision-based intelligent recognition solutions can detect size, they are easily affected by factors such as changes in lighting, dirt on the fruit surface, and overlapping obstructions. Furthermore, their deployment costs are high, and their stability in practical applications is limited. Mechanical sorting devices still dominate, but their sorting gaps are fixed at the factory and difficult to adjust afterward. In production scenarios with diverse varieties and frequent size fluctuations, it is often necessary to replace the entire set of components to change grading specifications, making it impossible to achieve rapid, stepless switching of grading parameters. This severely restricts the flexible production conversion needs of multi-variety, small-batch production. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated fruit and vegetable sorting device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] The above-mentioned technical objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: An automated fruit and vegetable sorting device includes a sorting rack placed on the ground. Multiple drive shafts are mounted on the upper end of the sorting rack, with drop gaps between adjacent drive shafts for the fruits and vegetables to fall through. These drop gaps are linearly arranged along the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables. Multiple fixed-position separating slip rings are movably fitted onto each drive shaft. The sorting rack also has multiple closed flexible sorting ropes. Each flexible sorting rope sequentially passes around a corresponding separating slip ring on each drive shaft and remains taut. The winding paths of the flexible sorting ropes do not intersect, and the spacing between adjacent flexible sorting ropes gradually widens along the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables.

[0005] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple closed flexible sorting ropes are used in conjunction with a drive shaft to form a sorting channel with a gradually widening spacing. As the fruits and vegetables move forward with the flexible sorting ropes, smaller fruits and vegetables fall from the narrower gap first, while larger fruits and vegetables continue to move forward and fall, achieving stepless grading. Furthermore, the sorting spacing can be flexibly adjusted by moving the separating slip rings, without the need to replace parts, and adapting to rapid production switching of multiple varieties.

[0006] A further feature is that each of the separating slip rings has an integrally formed annular flange on both opposite sides, and a groove is formed between the two annular flanges to allow the flexible sorting rope to pass around.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the flexible sorting rope can be constrained to prevent it from shifting or coming off during operation, ensuring that the sorting rope always maintains accurate spacing and a consistent path.

[0008] A further feature is that each of the partition slip rings has a radially arranged threaded locking hole in its groove area, and a bolt is provided in the locking hole to be threaded into it. The bolt can be hidden in the locking hole, and the tail end of the bolt can abut against the outer wall of the drive shaft. The head of the bolt is provided with a countersunk groove for easy screwing.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the groove of the separating slip ring is tightened by bolts against the outer wall of the drive shaft and locked. Loosening the bolts allows for stepless sliding adjustment of the flexible sorting rope spacing. The adjustment is quick and reliable. The grooved bolt head can prevent contact and wear with the flexible sorting rope and is also convenient for tightening with tools.

[0010] A further feature is that the outer circumferential surface of each of the flexible sorting ropes is covered with a non-slip coating.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the friction between itself and the separating slip ring is increased, thus enabling normal conveying.

[0012] A further feature is that a fixed rod is fixedly installed on each of the opposite sides of the sorting rack, which is arranged along the direction of fruit and vegetable conveying. Multiple storage baskets are fixedly installed on the two fixed rods, and each storage basket is located below each material drop gap in sequence.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the fruits and vegetables that fall from the graded piles can fall directly into the corresponding storage baskets, automatically achieving classified collection and avoiding mixing.

[0014] A further configuration involves two driven shafts rotatably mounted on the sorting rack. Each flexible sorting rope, while sequentially passing around a corresponding separating slip ring on each drive shaft, also sequentially passes around the two driven shafts. Both driven shafts are located below each storage basket, and are respectively located outside the two outermost storage baskets, so that each storage basket is surrounded by the path of each flexible sorting rope.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, each collection basket is surrounded by the flexible sorting rope's path, so that when fruits and vegetables fall from the material drop gap, they will not collide with the flexible sorting rope below, effectively preventing fruits and vegetables from accidentally entering adjacent collection baskets and damaging the flexible sorting rope, thus ensuring collection accuracy.

[0016] A further feature is that a fixing plate is fixedly installed on the sorting rack at the position corresponding to one of the drive shafts, and a motor connected to the corresponding drive shaft is installed on the fixing plate.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the drive is achieved by setting up a motor.

[0018] A further feature is that a feeding plate is rotatably mounted on one side of the upper end of the sorting rack. The feeding plate is inclined and has a discharge port at its lower end, which corresponds to the starting end of the fruit and vegetable conveying direction.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the inclined feeding plate uses gravity to slide the fruits and vegetables to the discharge port, and the discharge port corresponds to the starting end of the conveying process, which can realize continuous feeding.

[0020] A further feature is that support rods are hinged to both sides of the lower end of the feeding plate, and several positioning grooves matching the support rods are opened on both sides of the upper end of the sorting rack along the fruit and vegetable conveying direction.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the tilt angle of the feed plate can be adjusted by switching the positioning slot where the support rod is located, thereby facilitating the control of the feeding speed and flow rate to meet the sorting needs of different fruit and vegetable varieties.

[0022] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: by using a flexible sorting rope in conjunction with an axially movable separating slip ring, the sorting spacing can be quickly and steplessly adjusted, and it can flexibly adapt to the frequent production changeover needs in multi-variety, small-batch production scenarios without replacing any parts. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the feed plate is hidden in the embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the coordination of each drive shaft, separator slip ring, and flexible sorting rope along the fruit and vegetable conveying direction in the embodiment. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of each drive shaft and partition slip ring in the embodiment.

[0024] In the diagram: 11. Sorting rack; 21. Drive shaft; 22. Material drop gap; 3. Separating slip ring; 31. Annular flange; 32. Groove; 321. Lock hole; 322. Bolt; 3221. Settling trough; 41. Flexible sorting rope; 51. Fixing rod; 52. Storage basket; 61. Driven shaft; 71. Fixing plate; 81. Feed plate; 82. Discharge port; 91. Support rod; 92. Positioning groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown; This embodiment discloses an automated fruit and vegetable sorting device, including a sorting frame 11 placed on the ground. The sorting frame 11 is welded from metal profiles. Multiple drive shafts 21 are arranged on the upper end of the sorting frame 11. A drop gap 22 is left between adjacent drive shafts 21 for the fruits and vegetables to fall. Each drop gap 22 is linearly arranged along the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables. Multiple separating slip rings 3 that can be fixed in position are movably fitted on each drive shaft 21. Multiple closed flexible sorting ropes 41 are also provided on the sorting frame 11. Each flexible sorting rope 41 sequentially passes around each drive shaft 21. A corresponding separating slip ring 3 is positioned on shaft 21 and kept taut. The winding paths of each flexible sorting rope 41 do not intersect each other. Along the direction of fruit and vegetable conveying, the spacing between two adjacent flexible sorting ropes 41 gradually widens, thus forming a sorting channel with increasing width. When spherical or near-spherical fruits and vegetables are conveyed forward along this channel, as the spacing gradually increases, smaller fruits and vegetables will fall first from the narrower drop gap 22, while larger fruits and vegetables will continue to move forward until they fall into the wider drop gap 22, thereby achieving graded screening.

[0027] To better guide and constrain the flexible sorting rope 41, each of the separating slip rings 3 has an integrally formed annular flange 31 on both sides. A groove 32 is formed between the two annular flanges 31 for the flexible sorting rope 41 to pass around. The groove 32 can effectively prevent the flexible sorting rope 41 from shifting or coming off during operation, ensuring that each flexible sorting rope 41 always maintains an accurate spacing and circling path. Meanwhile, each of the grooves 32 of the separating slip rings 3 has a radially arranged threaded locking hole 321. A bolt 322 is screwed into the locking hole 321. The bolt 322 can be hidden inside the locking hole 321, and the tail end of the bolt 322 can abut against the outer wall of the drive shaft 21. When it is necessary to adjust the spacing between adjacent flexible sorting ropes 41, simply loosen the bolt 322 to move the separating slip ring 3 to the target position along the axial direction of the drive shaft 21. Then tighten the bolt 322 so that the tail end of the bolt abuts against the outer wall of the drive shaft 21, and the separating slip ring 3 can be firmly positioned. This enables rapid and stepless switching of grading parameters. It can adapt to the sorting needs of different varieties and sizes of fruits and vegetables without replacing any parts. The head of the bolt 322 is provided with a groove 3221 for easy screwing. This not only avoids contact with the flexible sorting rope 41 and prevents wear on the flexible sorting rope 41, but also allows the operator to easily complete the screwing operation with tools, improving the convenience and efficiency of adjustment.

[0028] To further improve the stability and reliability of the sorting process, each flexible sorting rope 41 is covered with an anti-slip coating on its outer periphery. In this embodiment, the flexible sorting rope 41 is made of polyurethane round strip, which has excellent elasticity and wear resistance and can withstand continuous bending and tensile stress; the anti-slip coating on its surface can be achieved by adding a rough texture to the polyurethane substrate or by using a rubber coating with a higher coefficient of friction.

[0029] On both sides of the sorting rack 11, there is a fixed rod 51 along the fruit and vegetable conveying direction. Multiple collection baskets 52 are fixedly mounted on the two fixed rods 51. Each collection basket 52 is located below a drop gap 22. When fruits and vegetables of different sizes fall from the corresponding drop gap 22, they can fall directly into the collection basket 52 below, achieving graded collection. The opening width of each collection basket 52 matches the width of the corresponding drop gap 22, ensuring that the falling items accurately fall into the basket and avoiding mixing or scattering. In addition, two driven shafts 61 are rotatably mounted on the sorting rack 11. Each flexible sorting rope 41 passes around each drive shaft in sequence. While a corresponding separating slip ring 3 is positioned on shaft 21, it will also pass around two driven shafts 61 in sequence. Both driven shafts 61 are located below each storage basket 52, and the two driven shafts 61 are located outside the two outermost storage baskets 52, so that each storage basket 52 is surrounded by the loop path of each flexible sorting rope 41, so that fruits and vegetables can fall directly from above into the corresponding storage basket 52, instead of first colliding with the flexible sorting rope 41 below and then falling into the storage basket 52. This avoids colliding with the flexible sorting rope 41 below and falling into the adjacent storage basket 52, as well as impacting the flexible sorting rope 41 and damaging it.

[0030] In addition, a fixing plate 71 is fixedly installed on the sorting rack 11 at the position corresponding to one of the drive shafts 21. A motor connected to the corresponding drive shaft 21 is installed on the fixing plate 71. After the motor is started, it drives the drive shaft 21 to rotate. The friction between the flexible sorting rope 41 and the separating slip ring 3 drives the other drive shafts 21 to rotate synchronously, thereby realizing the synchronous cyclic movement of all flexible sorting ropes 41, ensuring that the conveying speed of each flexible sorting rope 41 is consistent, and avoiding the accumulation or jamming of fruits and vegetables due to speed differences. A feeding plate 81 is rotatably installed on one side of the upper end of the sorting rack 11. The feeding plate 81 is inclined and has a discharge port 82 at its lower end, which corresponds to the starting end of the fruit and vegetable conveying direction. After the fruits and vegetables to be sorted are put into the feeding plate 81, they slide down the inclined feeding plate 81 to the discharge port 82 under the action of gravity, and then enter the starting end of the sorting channel in an orderly manner, so as to achieve uniform and continuous feeding. Support rods 91 are hinged on both sides of the lower end of the feeding plate 81. Three positioning slots 92 matching the support rods 91 are opened on both sides of the upper end of the sorting rack 11 along the fruit and vegetable conveying direction. By inserting the support rods 91 into the positioning slots 92 at different positions, the tilt angle of the feeding plate 81 can be adjusted, thereby controlling the speed of the fruits and vegetables sliding down and the feeding flow rate, so as to adapt to the feeding needs of different varieties of fruits and vegetables and ensure the stability and controllability of the sorting process.

[0031] In actual operation, the positions of the separating slip rings 3 are first adjusted along the axial direction of each drive shaft 21 according to the variety and size grading requirements of the fruits and vegetables to be sorted. Then, the motor is started, driving each flexible sorting rope 41 to circulate along its surrounding path. The operator continuously pours the fruits and vegetables to be sorted into the feeding plate 81. The fruits and vegetables fall through the discharge port 82 onto the conveying surface formed by each flexible sorting rope 41 and gradually move forward with the conveying direction. During the movement, as the distance between two adjacent flexible sorting ropes 41 gradually widens, when the fruits and vegetables reach a position corresponding to their own diameter, they will fall from the drop gap 22 at that point because they can no longer be supported by the flexible sorting ropes 41 on both sides, and fall into the collection basket 52 below, thus achieving automatic sorting.

[0032] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present utility model, they are protected by patent law.

Claims

1. An automated fruit and vegetable sorting device, comprising a sorting rack (11) placed on the ground, characterized in that: The sorting rack (11) is provided with multiple drive shafts (21) at its upper end. There are gaps (22) between adjacent drive shafts (21) for fruits and vegetables to fall. Each gap (22) is arranged linearly along the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables. Each drive shaft (21) is movably fitted with multiple partition slip rings (3) that can be fixed in position. The sorting rack (11) is also provided with multiple closed flexible sorting ropes (41). Each flexible sorting rope (41) passes around a partition slip ring (3) corresponding to the position on each drive shaft (21) in sequence and is kept taut. The winding paths of each flexible sorting rope (41) do not intersect each other. Along the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables, the distance between two adjacent flexible sorting ropes (41) gradually widens.

2. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the separating slip rings (3) has an annular flange (31) integrally formed on both sides opposite to each other, and a groove (32) is formed between the two annular flanges (31) for the flexible sorting rope (41) to pass around.

3. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the grooves (32) of the partition slip rings (3) has a radially arranged and threaded locking hole (321). A bolt (322) is provided in the locking hole (321) and is threaded to it. The bolt (322) can be hidden in the locking hole (321), and the tail end of the bolt (322) can abut against the outer wall of the drive shaft (21). The head of the bolt (322) is provided with a countersunk groove (3221) for easy screwing.

4. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the flexible sorting ropes (41) has an anti-slip coating layer on its outer periphery.

5. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: On the sorting rack (11), a fixed rod (51) is fixedly installed on each of the opposite sides along the direction of fruit and vegetable conveying. Multiple storage baskets (52) are fixedly installed on the two fixed rods (51), and each storage basket (52) is located below each material drop gap (22).

6. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two driven shafts (61) are rotatably mounted on the sorting rack (11). Each flexible sorting rope (41) passes around a corresponding separating slip ring (3) on each drive shaft (21) in sequence, and also passes around the two driven shafts (61) in sequence. Both driven shafts (61) are located below each storage basket (52), and the two driven shafts (61) are located outside the two outermost storage baskets (52), so that each storage basket (52) is surrounded by the surrounding path of each flexible sorting rope (41).

7. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing plate (71) is fixedly installed on the sorting rack (11) at the position corresponding to one of the drive shafts (21), and a motor connected to the corresponding drive shaft (21) is installed on the fixing plate (71).

8. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A feeding plate (81) is rotatably arranged on one side of the upper end of the sorting rack (11). The feeding plate (81) is inclined and has a discharge port (82) at its lower part. The discharge port (82) corresponds to the starting end of the fruit and vegetable conveying direction.

9. The automated fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The feed plate (81) has support rods (91) hinged on both sides at the lower end, and the sorting rack (11) has several positioning grooves (92) matching the support rods (91) on both sides at the upper end along the fruit and vegetable conveying direction.

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