High speed cylindrical material sorting device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of high-speed cylindrical material sorting device, comprising: a feeding unit, connect to the lower end of a material bin for storing cylindrical material, to supply the cylindrical material to be sorted;A conveying unit is located downstream of the feeding unit, set to sequentially convey material through a detection area, and form the gap of adjacent material on the upstream of detection area to facilitate detection;A detection unit is located above or side of the conveying unit, to obtain the characteristic information of material passing through detection area and produce determination result;An execution unit is located downstream of detection area, to export and execute the material judged as qualified from conveying unit according to determination result;A position feedback sensor is provided on the drive shaft of conveying unit, to provide the position or motion information of material on conveying unit;And a control unit is wired or wirelessly coupled with feeding unit, conveying unit, detection unit, execution unit, position feedback sensor, and is configured to perform time-related trigger control on determination result from detection unit based on the position or motion information from position feedback sensor to drive the action of execution unit, overall processing rate achieves at least 300~800 grains / minute and maintains predetermined sorting accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of industrial sorting and visual inspection, and specifically relates to a high-speed cylindrical material sorting device. Background Technology

[0002] This utility model relates to the field of industrial automation and material sorting, and particularly to a high-speed sorting device and method for cylindrical or near-cylindrical metal materials (e.g., cartridge cases). The current market and industrial situation are as follows.

[0003] Traditional cartridge / cylindrical material sorting equipment typically employs simple mechanical guidance or a figure-eight track design, allowing materials to roll through gaps for sorting and separation. While this design is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, it suffers from several drawbacks: firstly, its processing speed is relatively low (e.g., a typical commercially available figure-eight machine can process approximately 100 cartridges per minute); secondly, it is prone to material stacking or jamming (poor single-feed retention); and thirdly, it has limited ability to identify appearance defects or minute dimensional differences, requiring manual or inefficient mechanical assistance. These limitations mean that traditional equipment cannot meet production demands for high-capacity applications or those requiring higher sorting accuracy.

[0004] In recent years, image detection and machine learning (deep learning) technologies have been introduced into various industrial sorting and inspection applications to improve the accuracy of dimensional measurement, appearance defect identification, and classification. However, simply applying CCD / AI modules to sorting devices alone, without simultaneously addressing the issues of single-piece positioning, time-series driving, and material alignment under high throughput, still cannot achieve high-accuracy sorting while maintaining high speed. In other words, simple visual classification is insufficient to overcome the integration challenges of mechanical feeding, belt speed synchronization, material discharge timing, and uninterrupted hopper switching.

[0005] Furthermore, existing automated sorting devices often fall short in terms of continuous operation and traceability: when a full bin needs to be replaced, the lack of an effective uninterrupted switching mechanism frequently leads to production line downtime or reduced throughput; and the absence of real-time production recording and label printing functions is also detrimental to subsequent quality control and production traceability. Customer data indicates that the need for production management and quality traceability (such as the recording time, specifications, and quantity of bin labels) is also an important consideration in device design.

[0006] In summary, existing technologies still have room for improvement in the following aspects: how to maintain or improve sorting accuracy and reliability (avoiding material stacking, mispush, and misjudgment) under high throughput conditions of at least 400 pieces / minute; and how to achieve uninterrupted switching between dual material boxes and real-time production recording (including label printing) to improve production line continuity and traceability.

[0007] Therefore, it is still necessary to provide a device solution that can simultaneously solve the problems of high speed, single-piece positioning accuracy, time-driven reliability, and uninterrupted bin switching and traceability functions to meet the needs of industrial mass production and quality management. Utility Model Content

[0008] In view of the above problems, this utility model relates to a high-speed cylindrical material sorting device, comprising: a feeding unit connected to the lower end of a hopper for storing cylindrical materials, for supplying cylindrical materials to be sorted; a conveying unit located downstream of the feeding unit, configured to sequentially convey the materials through a detection zone, and forming a gap between adjacent materials upstream of the detection zone to facilitate detection; a detection unit located above or to the side of the conveying unit, for acquiring characteristic information of the materials passing through the detection zone and generating a judgment result; and an execution unit located downstream of the detection zone, for executing the judgment based on the judgment result. The system outputs qualified materials from the conveying unit and performs discharge; a position feedback sensor is installed on the drive shaft of the conveying unit to provide position or movement information of the materials on the conveying unit; and a control unit is wired or wirelessly coupled to the feeding unit, conveying unit, detection unit, execution unit, and position feedback sensor, and is configured to perform time-correlated trigger control based on the position or movement information from the position feedback sensor to drive the action of the execution unit based on the judgment result from the detection unit. The overall processing rate reaches at least 300~800 pieces / minute and maintains a predetermined sorting accuracy.

[0009] In an embodiment of this utility model, the feeding unit is a centrifugal disc, and the centrifugal disc is provided with a spiral step or a dividing track on its edge, configured to arrange the scattered materials into single rows and continuously output them to the conveying unit.

[0010] In an embodiment of this utility model, the conveying unit is a segmented conveyor belt unit, including at least one first conveyor belt and one second conveyor belt, and the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt have different linear velocities, so that the material generates adjacent material gaps on the second conveyor belt.

[0011] In an embodiment of this utility model, the detection unit includes one or more vision cameras, an illumination module, and an AI classification module. The vision cameras are configured in the detection area to acquire material images. The material images are processed by the AI ​​classification module to output classification labels and confidence values. The detection unit communicates with the position feedback sensor and the control unit to provide shooting timestamps and position feedback for timing calculations.

[0012] In an embodiment of this utility model, the position feedback sensor is an encoder, and the control unit calculates the discharge trigger time based on the position signal provided by the encoder and the judgment result of the detection unit.

[0013] In an embodiment of this utility model, the execution unit is a gear feeding mechanism. The gear feeding mechanism has a notch on its periphery. When the gear rotates to a set angle position, the notch accommodates a single piece of material and pushes the material out of the conveying unit, and is guided by a slide to a collection box.

[0014] In an embodiment of this utility model, the control unit has a human-machine interface and is configured to: receive a preset number of hoppers filled by the human-machine interface; when the control unit detects that the number of hoppers filled in a first hopper corresponding to the collection hopper has reached or exceeded the preset number of hoppers filled, it stops sending a discharge trigger signal to the corresponding first discharge mechanism and issues a warning to replace the hopper on the human-machine interface; at the same time, while maintaining the continuous operation of the conveying unit and the detection unit, the control unit starts the second discharge mechanism according to the switching logic to take over the discharge, so that the materials subsequently judged to be qualified continue to be discharged into a second hopper without interrupting the sorting process.

[0015] In an embodiment of this utility model, a label printing module is also included. When the control unit confirms that any collection box has reached the preset filling conditions, the control unit triggers the label printing module to print the production record of the collection box. The production record includes at least one of the following: box identification, printing time, material specifications or batch and filling quantity. Full load, switching, printing and abnormal events are recorded in a data recording module for traceability.

[0016] In an embodiment of this utility model, an NG material box is also included. When the detection unit returns a judgment that the material is unqualified or the reliability is lower than a preset threshold and is marked as pending judgment, the control unit does not send a discharge trigger signal to the material. The material is transferred to the NG material box by the conveying unit, and the control unit records the relevant data of the unqualified judgment in the data recording module.

[0017] In an embodiment of this utility model, the control unit uses the number of motor rotations or the number of encoder pulses as the processing counting basis. When the image is determined to be qualified and both the position feedback and the material sensor confirm that it is true, the control unit drives the first discharge mechanism or the second discharge mechanism to push the qualified cylindrical material from the conveying unit to the corresponding collection box. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a high-speed cylindrical material sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B This is a top view of the high-speed cylindrical material sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding unit in the form of a centrifugal disc in the high-speed cylindrical material sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3AThis is a schematic diagram of the adjacent material gap g generated between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt of the high-speed cylindrical material sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B for Figure 3A A magnified view of the gap g between adjacent materials;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the gear discharge mechanism of the high-speed cylindrical material sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a high-speed cylindrical material sorting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 1: High-speed cylindrical material sorting device

[0025] 10: Silo

[0026] 20: Feeding Unit

[0027] 20a: Centrifuge tray

[0028] 20b: Guide groove

[0029] 20c: Discharge port

[0030] 30: Conveying Unit

[0031] 31: First conveyor belt

[0032] 32: Second conveyor belt

[0033] 40: Detection Unit

[0034] 41: Visual Camera

[0035] 42: AI Classification Module

[0036] 50: Position feedback sensor

[0037] 60: Execution Unit

[0038] 61: Gear feeding mechanism

[0039] 61a: First discharge mechanism

[0040] 61b: Second discharge mechanism

[0041] 62: Slide

[0042] 64: Gap

[0043] 70: Collection box

[0044] 70a: First material box

[0045] 70b: Second material box

[0046] 75:NG Material Box

[0047] 100: Control Unit

[0048] 101: Human-Computer Interface

[0049] P: cartridge case

[0050] g: gap

[0051] S1: Supply Steps

[0052] S2: Conveying Steps

[0053] S3: Detection Steps

[0054] S4: Location Feedback Steps

[0055] S5: Timing Calculation Steps

[0056] S6: Execution Steps Detailed Implementation

[0057] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making any innovative inventions are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0058] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the high-speed cylindrical material sorting device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the device) of this embodiment consists of a hopper 10, a feeding unit 20, a conveying unit 30, a detection unit 40, a position feedback sensor 50, an execution unit 60, a collection box 70, an NG box 75, a label printing module 90, and a control unit 100 (including a human-machine interface 101). In this embodiment of the utility model, the control unit 100 is a PLC or an industrial computer (e.g., a touch screen computer) and has a human-machine interface 101; the control unit supports standard industrial communication protocols with vision devices and motion control units to perform synchronous data exchange, receives detection judgments and position feedback and accurately triggers execution actions, and has remote monitoring and data uploading functions for production traceability and analysis. The touch screen on the operation surface is used to set parameters, monitor the operating status, and receive warnings.

[0059] In this embodiment of the invention, the hopper 10 is used to store loose cylindrical materials; the feeding unit 20 is used to supply the cylindrical materials to be sorted and is connected to the lower end of the hopper 10. The feeding unit 20 is provided with a centrifugal disc 20a, the edge of which is provided with a spiral step (guide groove 20b) or a dividing track. By rotating, centrifugal force is generated to arrange the loose cylindrical materials in a single row and stably output them from the outlet (not shown) of the centrifugal disc 20a to the conveying unit 30.

[0060] Cylindrical materials include, but are not limited to, cartridge cases, copper pillars, locating pins, cylindrical studs, and plastic cylindrical spacers. In embodiments of this utility model, the cylindrical materials are cartridge cases of various sizes, with a diameter of 3-30 mm, preferably 5-14 mm; and a length of 8-70 mm, preferably 15-55 mm.

[0061] In the embodiments of this utility model, in order to ensure that the guide groove 20b of the centrifugal disc 20a and the discharge port can maintain a stable single-row arrangement during operation, and to avoid phenomena such as parallel material discharge, jamming, or blockage, the device configures the material diameter in the same batch of materials (which may contain two or more types of cartridge cases) as follows: the ratio of the maximum diameter D_max to the minimum diameter D_min of the batch should satisfy D_max ÷ D_min ≤ 2, thereby ensuring that the material maintains a single-row arrangement and is stably conveyed in the guide groove and discharge port of the centrifugal disc 20a under normal operation.

[0062] The conveying unit 30 is located downstream of the centrifugal disc 20a and includes at least two continuous conveyor belts: a first conveyor belt 31 (upstream) and a second conveyor belt 32 (downstream / detection section). Cylindrical material (i.e., cartridge cases) exiting the centrifugal disc 20a is first received by the first conveyor belt 31 and then transferred to the second conveyor belt 32. The linear velocity of the second conveyor belt 32 is configured to be greater than that of the first conveyor belt 31 (v2 > v1). This velocity difference creates a controllable gap g between adjacent materials on the second conveyor belt 32 (e.g., ...). Figure 3B As shown in the diagram, this facilitates the image acquisition of each piece by the detection unit 40 and the precise timing operation of the gear feeding mechanism 61. The feeding section is also equipped with a position feedback sensor 50, which is an encoder, to provide real-time displacement / velocity information and is connected to the control unit 100 to execute time-correlated trigger control. In embodiments of this invention, the encoder can be incremental or absolute, and the interface can adopt TTL / HTL, RS422, or standard industrial encoder output, ensuring the accuracy of the calculated time with high resolution and sufficient sampling frequency.

[0063] like Figure 3AAs shown, in an embodiment of this invention, the detection unit 40 is configured above or to the side of the second conveyor belt 32, with the field of view adjusted to fully cover the single-row cylindrical material transferred from the centrifugal disc 20a via the first conveyor belt 31 and the second conveyor belt 32. The detection unit 40 includes one or more vision cameras 41, an illumination module (not shown), and an AI classification module 42. The vision cameras 41 employ industrial CCDs or CMOS sensors with global shutter functionality, and are equipped with an adjustable illumination module and a light-shielding structure (not shown) to ensure image contrast and stability.

[0064] The vision camera 41 can accept hardware trigger signals from the control unit 100 or trigger signals directly generated by receiving encoder pulses from an independent trigger module (not shown). At the moment of capture, T_cam synchronously records the pulse displacement P_cam corresponding to the encoder as a position reference. Preferably, the image can undergo denoising, distortion correction, ROI cropping, and pixel-to-actual-length conversion via the pre-processing module (not shown) of the vision camera 41. If the output size measurement value needs to be pixel-scaled using a standard component, the correction coefficients are stored in the control unit 100. The pre-processed image is then sent to the AI ​​classification module 42, which performs classification based on a pre-trained deep learning model, outputting information including, but not limited to, classification labels such as qualified, unqualified, or pending judgment, defect category, and confidence level.

[0065] In another embodiment of this utility model, when the AI ​​output results are sent back to the control unit 100, these results, along with their timestamp T_cam, image recognition number, and P_cam, are recorded in the data recording module (not shown) for quality traceability and model retraining. In addition, during operation, the detection unit 40 also provides a correction procedure to maintain long-term stability, including white balance, geometric correction, and illumination consistency checks, and can trigger the control unit 100 to perform a protection action of slowing down or pausing automatic material feeding when the performance of the vision camera 41 or classification deteriorates.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown in the embodiment of this utility model, the execution unit 60 preferably adopts a gear discharge mechanism 61 as the mechanism for discharging qualified materials from the conveying unit 30. The gear discharge mechanism 61 is placed at a predetermined position downstream of the detection area. The gear body is provided with a notch 64 (also called a receiving cavity). When the gear rotates to a specific angle, the notch 64 aligns with the target material on the second conveyor belt 32. When the gear rotates, the notch 64 pushes out a single piece of material from the side edge of the conveyor belt, allowing it to slide down the slide 62 into the corresponding collection box 70.

[0067] In an embodiment of this utility model, the detection area is a dedicated area in the device for the detection unit 40 (visual camera 41, lighting module and AI classification module 42) to acquire and determine the cylindrical material image that has passed. It is located above or to the side of the first conveyor belt 31 and the second conveyor belt 32, and at a predetermined distance in front of the gear pushing mechanism 61.

[0068] To improve processing efficiency, a dual-discharge mechanism configuration is adopted, including a first discharge mechanism 61a and a second discharge mechanism 61b, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the two alternate or take turns according to the material box switching logic to achieve uninterrupted sorting. The control unit 100 calculates the timing of each discharge based on the judgment result of the detection unit 40 and the pulse count of the position encoder. When the discharge trigger time is calculated, the control unit 100 sends a drive command to the currently available discharge mechanism 61a or 61b to execute the discharge.

[0069] In addition, the vision camera 41 acquires images of each passing cylindrical material in the detection area and uses image processing or AI models to determine whether the material meets the predetermined size and appearance standards; at the same time, the position feedback sensor 50, which is the encoder installed on the drive shaft of the second conveyor belt 32, continuously outputs pulses to calculate the real-time position and belt speed of the material, and simultaneously records the shooting timestamp T_cam and the relative pulse value P_cam when the camera takes pictures; a material sensor (not shown) (e.g., photoelectric sensor or proximity switch) is set near the discharge position to actually confirm that the material has arrived.

[0070] Furthermore, this device uses the number of motor rotations or encoder pulse counts as the processing counting basis. Only when the image judgment is qualified and both the position feedback and the material presence sensor confirm that it is true, does the control unit 100 drive the first discharge mechanism 61a or the second discharge mechanism 61b to push the qualified product laterally from the conveyor belt to the corresponding material box. The above-mentioned image judgment, position feedback, material presence sensing, and counting based on drive rotations cross-verify each other to improve the accuracy and traceability of sorting.

[0071] In this embodiment of the invention, the user can set the filling quantity of the material box on the human-machine interface 101. When the preset quantity is reached, the control unit 100 will stop the discharge action of the corresponding first discharge mechanism 61a and issue a warning on the human-machine interface 101 to prompt the replacement of the material box. In this embodiment, the device maintains the continuous operation of the conveyor belt and the detection unit 40. The control unit 100 will immediately start the second discharge mechanism 61b according to the switching logic to take over the discharge work, so that qualified products are continuously discharged into the second material box 70b, while the conveyor belt and the detection unit 40 maintain continuous operation to achieve the purpose of uninterrupted sorting, thereby making the machine stop.

[0072] In another embodiment of this utility model, the number of cartridge cases in the material box can be determined by other means, including but not limited to: using the pulse count of the drive motor or encoder as the basis for counting the number of cartridge cases, using a weighing sensor placed below the material box to determine the weight threshold, or using a height / photoelectric sensor above the material box to determine the stacking height; the control unit 100 can confirm that the material box is full by using one or more of the above signals in combination or comparing them with each other, and execute the switching procedure according to the confirmation result. In addition, if the second discharge mechanism 61b is not yet in place or cannot be started, the control unit 100 should wait for manual intervention or automatic reset according to the preset fault tolerance strategy (e.g., pausing discharge, reducing belt speed, or issuing a high-level warning).

[0073] Next, when the switch is completed or the hopper is confirmed to be full, the control unit 100 will record the event and trigger the label printing module 90 to print the production record of the full hopper (including hopper identification, printing time, material specifications / supply batch, filling quantity, etc.); all full load, switch, printing and abnormal events are recorded in the data recording module for traceability and quality analysis.

[0074] In this embodiment of the invention, non-compliant cartridge cases (hereinafter referred to as NG materials) are determined by the detection unit 40 (CCD camera and AI classification module 42), and the control unit 100 decides on the subsequent handling based on the determination result. For cartridge cases determined to be qualified, the control unit 100 calculates the discharge sequence based on the encoder position feedback, drives the discharge mechanism 61 to push the cartridge case out of the conveyor belt and into the corresponding qualified material box (e.g., the first material box 70a or the second material box 70b); conversely, when the detection unit 40 returns NG material (unqualified or uncertain and requiring re-inspection), the control unit 100 will not issue a discharge command for that cartridge case, and the cartridge case continues to move downstream with the second conveyor belt 32, and is guided to slide down to the dedicated NG material box 75 at the downstream end of the conveyor belt, thereby achieving physical separation of qualified and unqualified products. At the same time, the control unit 100 records the determination result, image number, confidence value, P_cam and related timing in the data recording module to facilitate traceability and subsequent quality analysis or AI retraining.

[0075] like Figure 5As shown, the sorting method of this embodiment includes the following steps: First, the feeding step S1: the feeding unit supplies scattered cylindrical materials to the conveying unit; the conveying step S2: the materials are sequentially conveyed through a detection zone on the conveying unit, and gaps are formed between adjacent materials upstream of the detection zone to facilitate individual detection; the detection step S3: the detection unit acquires the characteristic information of each material in the detection zone and generates a judgment result for the material; the position feedback step S4: the position feedback sensor acquires the real-time position or movement information of the material on the conveying unit and provides the position or movement information to the control unit; the timing calculation step S5: the control unit calculates and determines the triggering timing based on the position or movement information; the execution step S6: at the triggering timing, a trigger signal is sent to drive the execution unit to export the qualified materials determined by the detection step from the conveying unit and import them into the collection box; wherein, the overall processing rate reaches at least 300~800 pieces / minute, and maintains a predetermined sorting accuracy, preferably 400 pieces / minute, more preferably 600 pieces / minute.

[0076] This invention combines a centrifugal disc with segmented conveying to stabilize and single-line scattered cylindrical materials, creating controllable gaps that facilitate individual image capture and judgment by the detection unit. The visual judgment results are then integrated with encoder position feedback, and the control unit calculates precise material discharge timing and drives the gear-driven material discharge mechanism. This ensures accurate sorting timing and supports high-throughput operation, achieving an overall sorting rate of at least 400 pieces / minute. The automatic switching design of the dual discharge mechanism and dual material boxes allows for uninterrupted sorting during material box changes, improving efficiency. For defective products, this invention can guide NG materials into the NG material box via a slide or active diversion, recording images and judgment data in the data recording module for traceability and AI retraining. In summary, this invention achieves a good balance between speed and accuracy, and its modular and data-driven mechanism enhances on-site adaptability and maintenance convenience.

[0077] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A high-speed cylindrical material sorting device, characterized in that, include: A feeding unit is connected to the lower end of a hopper for storing the cylindrical material, and is used to supply the cylindrical material to be sorted. The conveying unit, located downstream of the feeding unit, is configured to convey the materials sequentially through the detection zone and form a gap between adjacent materials upstream of the detection zone to facilitate detection. The detection unit, located above or to the side of the conveying unit, is used to acquire characteristic information of the material passing through the detection area and generate a judgment result. An execution unit, located downstream of the detection area, is used to discharge materials that have been determined to be qualified from the conveying unit based on the determination result. A position feedback sensor is installed on the drive shaft of the conveying unit to provide position or movement information of the material on the conveying unit; as well as The control unit is wired or wirelessly coupled to the feeding unit, the conveying unit, the detection unit, the execution unit, and the position feedback sensor, and is configured to perform time-correlated trigger control based on the position or motion information from the position feedback sensor to drive the action of the execution unit based on the judgment result from the detection unit. The overall processing rate reaches at least 300-800 pieces / minute while maintaining a predetermined sorting accuracy.

2. The sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding unit is a centrifugal disc, which has spiral steps or dividing tracks on its edge to arrange scattered materials into single columns and continuously output them to the conveying unit.

3. The sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conveying unit is a segmented conveyor belt unit, including at least one first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, and the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt have different linear velocities, so that the material generates adjacent material gaps on the second conveyor belt.

4. The sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The detection unit includes one or more vision cameras, an illumination module, and an AI classification module. The vision cameras are configured in the detection area to acquire material images. The material images are processed by the AI ​​classification module to output classification labels and confidence values. The detection unit communicates with the position feedback sensor and the control unit to provide shooting timestamps and position feedback for timing calculations.

5. The sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The position feedback sensor is an encoder, and the control unit calculates the discharge trigger time based on the position signal provided by the encoder and the judgment result of the detection unit.

6. The sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The execution unit is a gear feeding mechanism. The gear feeding mechanism has a notch on its periphery. When the gear rotates to a set angle position, the notch accommodates a single piece of material and pushes the material out of the conveying unit, and the material is guided to the collection box by the slide.

7. The sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control unit has a human-machine interface and is configured to: receive a preset number of material boxes filled via the human-machine interface; when the control unit detects that the number of materials already filled in the first material box corresponding to the collection box reaches or exceeds the preset number of material boxes filled, it stops sending a discharge trigger signal to the corresponding first discharge mechanism and issues a warning to replace the material box on the human-machine interface; at the same time, while maintaining the continuous operation of the conveying unit and the detection unit, the control unit starts the second discharge mechanism according to the switching logic to take over the discharge, so that the materials subsequently judged to be qualified continue to be discharged into the second material box without interrupting the sorting process.

8. The sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a label printing module. When the control unit confirms that any of the collection boxes has reached the preset filling conditions, the control unit triggers the label printing module to print the production record of the collection box. The production record includes at least one of the following: box identification, printing time, material specifications or batch and filling quantity. Full load, switching, printing and abnormal events are recorded in the data recording module for traceability.

9. The sorting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes an NG material box. When the detection unit returns a judgment that the material is unqualified or the reliability is lower than a preset threshold and is marked as pending judgment, the control unit does not send the discharge trigger signal to the material. The material is transferred to the NG material box with the conveying unit, and the control unit records the relevant data of the unqualified judgment in the data recording module.

10. The sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, Based on the number of motor rotations or encoder pulse counts, the control unit drives the first or second discharge mechanism to push the qualified cylindrical material from the conveying unit to the corresponding collection box when the image is deemed qualified and both the position feedback and the material sensor confirm that it is true.

Images