Article distribution determination device

Abstract

To provide an article distribution determination device capable of suppressing clogging of an article in a passage port in a subsequent stage.SOLUTION: An article distribution determination device 50 includes: a conveyance part 5 that conveys an article G; an X-ray detection part 7 that acquires first information regarding a size of the article G being conveyed by the conveyance part 5; a storage part 10E that acquires second information regarding a size of a passage chute 36; and a control part 10 that outputs a distribution signal of distributing the article G from the conveyance part 5 when it is determined that the article G is to be clogged in the passage chute 36 on the basis of the first information and the second information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to an item allocation determination device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technology relating to an article allocation determination device, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an X-ray inspection device that detects the amount of X-rays that have passed through an article being transported by a transport unit and inspects whether the article is a good or defective item based on the detection result. The X-ray inspection device described in Patent Document 1 sends the inspection result to a sorting mechanism provided downstream of the X-ray inspection device, and causes the sorting mechanism to sort the articles into good and defective items. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-152127 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, if the article is large, there is a possibility that the article may become clogged in a passage opening (such as a passage chute in a weighing and packaging system) at a downstream stage of the conveyor.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide an article allocation determination device that can prevent articles from clogging at a downstream passage port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An item allocation determination device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys items, an acquisition unit that acquires first information regarding the size of the items being conveyed by the conveying unit and second information regarding the width of a passage opening through which the items pass downstream of the conveying unit, and a control unit that outputs a distribution signal to redirect the items from the conveying unit when it is determined that the items will clog at the passage opening based on the first information and the second information.

[0007] In this article allocation determination device, if an article is larger than the width of the passage opening, the control unit determines that the article will clog at the passage opening and outputs a allocation signal. Therefore, by operating the sorting device based on the allocation signal, it is possible to sort and remove articles that are larger than the width of the passage opening from the conveying unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent articles from clogging the passage opening at the subsequent stage.

[0008] (2) In the article allocation determination device described in (1) above, the conveying section is provided with a cutting device that cuts and processes the article to generate article pieces, and the control section obtains third information on the size of the article pieces when the article is cut based on the first information, and may output an allocation signal when it is determined that the article will clog at the passage opening as a result of comparing the second information with the third information. In this case, it is possible to accurately determine whether the article will clog at the passage opening, and it is possible to reliably prevent the article from clogging at the passage opening at the subsequent stage.

[0009] (3) In the article allocation determination device described in (1) or (2) above, the control unit may output an allocation signal to a sorting device arranged upstream of the cutting device, and sort the articles before cutting from the conveying unit. If the articles are larger than a predetermined standard size, the article pieces generated by cutting will also be relatively large, so sorting the articles before cutting from the conveying unit can prevent clogging.

[0010] (4) In the article allocation determination device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the second information may be information about the width of a passage opening of a member of a combination weighing device or a vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveyor. In this case, it is possible to prevent articles from clogging the passage opening of the combination weighing device or the vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveyor.

[0011] (5) In the X-ray inspection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit may obtain the total weight of the articles transported by the transport unit per predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more articles distributed by the transport unit, and control the settings of an article processing device disposed downstream of the transport unit. In this case, it becomes possible to appropriately set the article processing device (e.g., a fryer).

[0012] (6) The article allocation determination device described in any one of (1) to (5) above further includes an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays onto an article being conveyed by the conveying unit, a detection unit that detects the X-rays that have passed through the article, and an inspection unit that generates a transmission image based on the X-rays detected by the detection unit and inspects the article using the generated transmission image, and the acquisition unit may acquire the first information based on the transmission image, and the control unit may output a allocation signal to sort the article from the conveying unit even if the inspection result indicates that the article is abnormal. In this case, by sorting out in advance from among the inserted articles those that are different from a predetermined standard, those that contain foreign objects, or foreign objects themselves (such as stones), it is possible to prevent clogging and the inclusion of foreign objects, and to prevent failure of downstream devices (such as the blade of a cutting device). Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an article allocation determination device that can prevent articles from clogging at a passage opening in a subsequent stage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an article processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the X-ray inspection apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the inside of the shielding box of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit in FIG. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing the peripheral configuration of the X-ray detection unit as viewed in the conveying direction, and Fig. 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing the peripheral configuration of the X-ray detection unit as viewed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the size of an article on an X-ray radiographic image, and Fig. 6(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of the size of an article on an X-ray radiographic image after correction processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the article allocation determination device 50 of this embodiment is provided in an X-ray inspection device 1. The X-ray inspection device 1 constitutes an article processing system 100. The article processing system 100 is a system for processing an article G, and is used, for example, in a food production line. The article G does not have a fixed size and shape (in other words, does not have a fixed weight), and is a so-called bulk product. Examples of bulk products include dry products such as nuts, dried fruits, dried ingredients, and rice crackers, and wet products such as minced meat, meat, seafood, frozen foods, and agricultural products. The article G is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, potatoes are processed as the article G, and potato chips are manufactured as a product. The article processing system 100 includes an X-ray inspection device 1, an article processing device 20, and a weighing and packaging system 30.

[0017] The X-ray inspection device 1 generates an X-ray transmission image of the object G while transporting the object G, and inspects the object G based on the X-ray transmission image (e.g., inspection of the number of objects stored, inspection of foreign objects, inspection of missing items, inspection of cracks and chips, etc.). The object processing device 20 is disposed after the X-ray inspection device 1. The object processing device 20 processes the object G that has passed through the X-ray inspection device 1 while transporting it. For example, the object processing device 20 includes a fryer, and frys the object G while transporting it.

[0018] The weighing and packaging system 30 is disposed after the article processing device 20. The weighing and packaging system 30 weighs and packages the articles G transported by the transport section 5 (see FIG. 2) of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 and processed by the article processing device 20. The weighing and packaging system 30 has a combination weighing device 34 and a vertical packaging device 35.

[0019] The combination weighing device 34 is a device that combines and calculates the items G. The combination weighing device 34 supplies a plurality of items G relating to a combination that becomes a target weight value to the vertical packaging device 35 via a passing chute 36. The passing chute 36 constitutes a passing opening through which the items G pass between the combination weighing device 34 and the vertical packaging device 35 (after the conveying section 5 (see FIG. 2)). For example, the passing chute 36 constitutes a passing opening with a circular cross section. The vertical packaging device 35 is a device that manufactures products M by packaging a plurality of items G supplied from the combination weighing device 34 in the bags while making bags. The items G weighed and packaged by the weighing and packaging system 30 are packed into cardboard boxes by a boxing device (not shown) and transported to a downstream process.

[0020] The X-ray inspection device 1 will be described in detail. The X-ray inspection device 1 includes a device main body 2, support legs 3, a shielding box 4, a transport unit 5, an X-ray irradiation unit 6, an X-ray detection unit 7, a display operation unit 8, and a control unit 10. An item G determined to be a defective item by the X-ray inspection device 1 is sorted out of the production line by a sorting device 12 arranged downstream of the carry-out conveyor 52. An item G determined to be a non-defective item by the X-ray inspection device 1 passes through the sorting device 12 as is.

[0021] The sorting device 12 is a device that removes the items G that are determined to be defective from the conveying path of the conveying section 5. The sorting device 12 is not particularly limited, and for example, a drop-up belt type sorting device, an arm type sorting device using an arm, a pusher type sorting device using a pusher device, a drop flap type sorting device, an air jet type sorting device, a fin type sorting device, etc. may be adopted. The sorting device 12 is disposed upstream of the cutting device 19 .

[0022] The device main body 2 houses the control unit 10 and the like. The support legs 3 support the device main body 2. The shielding box 4 is provided on the device main body 2. The shielding box 4 prevents leakage of X-rays (electromagnetic waves) to the outside. Inside the shielding box 4, an inspection area R is provided in which inspection of the object G is performed using X-rays. The conveying section 5 conveys the object G along the conveying direction A. The conveying section 5 conveys the object G before it is processed by the object processing device 20. The conveying section 5 is composed of, for example, multiple belt conveyors. The conveying section 5 is arranged to pass through the center of the shielding box 4. The conveying section 5 is provided with a cutting device 19 that cuts and processes the object G to generate object pieces.

[0023] 2 and 3, the X-ray irradiator 6 irradiates X-rays to the object G being transported by the transport unit 5. The X-ray irradiator 6 is an electromagnetic wave irradiator (X-ray source) disposed in the shield box 4. The X-ray irradiator 6 includes, for example, an X-ray tube that emits X-rays, and a restrictor that spreads the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube in a fan shape in a plane perpendicular to the transport direction A.

[0024] The X-ray detection unit 7 is a sensor member that detects electromagnetic waves. The X-ray detection unit 7 is a detection unit that detects X-rays that have passed through the object G. The X-ray detection unit 7 is disposed in the shield box 4 at a position facing the X-ray irradiation unit 6 in the vertical direction. The X-ray detection unit 7 may be capable of detecting X-rays in a specific energy band, or may be capable of detecting X-rays by a photon counting method. The X-ray detection unit 7 may be a direct conversion type detection unit or an indirect conversion type detection unit. The X-ray detection unit 7 includes, for example, X-ray detection elements arranged at least in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction and vertical direction of the conveying unit 5. The X-ray detection unit 7 may be a line sensor or a group of sensors arranged two-dimensionally.

[0025] The display operation unit 8 is provided in the device body 2. The display operation unit 8 displays various information and accepts input operations of various conditions from the outside. The display operation unit 8 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays an operation screen as a touch panel. In this case, the operator can input various conditions via the display operation unit 8.

[0026] The control unit 10 is disposed in the device body 2. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the X-ray inspection device 1. The control unit 10 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). A program for controlling the X-ray inspection device 1 is recorded in the ROM. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 includes an image generating unit 10A, an inspecting unit 10B, a calculating unit 10C, a size acquiring unit 10D, a storage unit 10E, a determining unit 10F, and a signal output unit 10G. Each of these units may be configured as software or hardware in the control unit 10.

[0027] The image generating unit 10A generates an X-ray transmission image of the article G based on the detection result of the X-ray detecting unit 7. The inspection unit 10B inspects the article G (e.g., whether the article G contains a foreign object) based on the X-ray transmission image. The calculation unit 10C calculates the total weight of the article G transported by the transport unit 5 per predetermined time (unit time) based on the X-ray transmission image. The weight estimation process is performed by utilizing the property that the thicker a substance is in the X-ray irradiation direction, the darker it appears on the X-ray transmission image. The calculation unit 10C does not add the weight of one or more (in this embodiment, multiple) articles G sorted from the transport unit 5 by the sorting device 12 to the total weight of the articles G. In other words, the calculation unit 10C acquires the total weight of the article G transported by the transport unit 5 per predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more articles G sorted from the transport unit 5. The control unit 10 controls the setting of the article processing device 20 arranged downstream of the transport unit 5, based on the total weight excluding the weight of one or more articles G sorted from the transport unit 5. For example, the control unit 10 changes the temperature of the downstream item processing device 20 according to the total weight excluding the weight of one or more items G distributed from the conveying unit 5 (e.g., increasing the temperature as the total weight increases).

[0028] The size acquisition unit 10D acquires first information on the size of the article G based on the X-ray transmission image. Specifically, the size acquisition unit 10D first obtains the size of the article area in which the article G exists in the X-ray transmission image, that is, the image size (pixel size) of the article G. The size acquisition unit 10D converts the image size of the article G to an actual size, which is the actual size of the article G. As shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), the conversion can be realized by the following formula (1) using the triangular similarity relationship due to the arrangement relationship between the article G, the conveying unit 5, the X-ray irradiation unit 6, and the X-ray detection unit 7. The size of the article G can be obtained by setting the height of the product. Since p×L1 / L2 is constant depending on the X-ray inspection device 1, it may be calculated as one correction coefficient c. L = P × p × L1 / L2 … (1) L: actual size, P: size on image, p: pitch of X-ray detection elements of X-ray detection unit 7 L1: distance from the X-ray irradiation unit 6 to the object G, L2: distance from the X-ray irradiation unit 6 to the X-ray detection unit 7,

[0029] Here, the X-ray detection unit 7 captures p / s obtained from the conveying speed s and pitch p in the conveying direction A of the conveying unit 5 as a scan cycle. Although a set value is used for the conveying speed s, there may be an error with respect to the actual speed. Therefore, when converting the size P on the image to the actual size L, the vertical and horizontal sizes may not be the same, and for example, an object G that is actually rectangular may appear as a parallelogram on the X-ray transmission image. Therefore, the size acquisition unit 10D performs a correction process (resizing) of the X-ray transmission image. In the correction process, the sizes of the conveying direction A and the width direction (direction along the conveying surface and perpendicular to the conveying direction A) in the size P on the image are corrected so that the actual size L converted by the above formula (1) matches the actual measurement value.

[0030] The correction process of the X-ray transmission image may be realized, for example, by appropriately increasing or decreasing the magnification of each of the X-ray transmission images in the conveying direction A and the width direction, or by other methods, as long as the actual size L can be matched to the actual measurement value. The actual measurement value of the article G can be obtained by actually measuring the article G by a known method. For example, the size of the articles G1 and G2 shown in FIG. 6(a) can be resized to the size of the articles G1 and G2 shown in FIG. 6(b) by performing the correction process.

[0031] The memory unit 10E stores second information related to the width of the passing chute 36 of the weighing and packaging system 30 (i.e., the passing opening of the combination weighing device 34 arranged downstream of the conveying unit 5, see FIG. 1). The second information here is information related to the diameter of the passing chute 36. If the diameter of the passing chute 36 is not constant, it may be, for example, an average diameter, a minimum diameter, or a maximum diameter. The second information may be input by an operator via the display operation unit 8, may be input by communication, or may be input by connecting an external storage medium. In other words, the memory unit 10E acquires the second information. The second information may be a fixed value or a variable value.

[0032] The determination unit 10F determines, based on the first information and the second information, whether or not the article G will clog in the passing chute 36. Specifically, when the determination unit 10F determines, based on the first information and the second information, that the article G is larger than the width of the passing chute 36, the control unit 10 determines that the article G will clog in the passing chute 36.

[0033] More specifically, the determination unit 10F obtains third information related to the size of the cut pieces of the article G based on the first information, and compares the second information with the third information to determine whether the article G will clog in the passing chute 36. As an example, the determination unit 10F obtains the third information by multiplying the size of the article G, which is the first information, by a parameter Kp (Kp<1) corresponding to the processing mode of the article processing device 20. Then, the determination unit 10F determines that the article G will clog in the passing chute 36 if the size of the article G in the third information (e.g., the longitudinal length of the article G after processing) is larger than the diameter of the passing chute 36 in the second information.

[0034] The parameter Kp may be input by an operator via the display operation unit 8, may be input through communication, or may be input by connecting an external storage medium. The parameter Kp is set to a value smaller than 1 because the article processing device 20 includes a fryer, for example, but is not particularly limited to this.

[0035] The signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 to sort the uncut object G from the conveying unit 5. When the determination unit 10F determines that the object G will get stuck in the passing chute 36, the signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 to sort the object G from the conveying unit 5. Furthermore, when the inspection unit 10B determines that the object G is defective (determines that it is abnormal), the signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 to sort the object G from the conveying unit 5. When the sorting signal is received, the sorting device 12 operates to sort the object G and multiple surrounding objects G outside the conveying plane of the conveying unit 5.

[0036] As described above, the calculation unit 10C of this embodiment does not add the weight of the multiple items G sorted from the conveying unit 5 by the sorting device 12 to the total weight of the items G. The multiple items G sorted from the conveying unit 5 may be, for example, an item G determined by the determination unit 10F to be clogged in the passing chute 36, and multiple items G present in a predetermined range around it. The multiple items G sorted from the conveying unit 5 may be, for example, an item G determined by the inspection unit 10B to be a defective product, and multiple items G present in a predetermined range around it. The predetermined range is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a range corresponding to the imaging range of the X-ray transmission image and the range before and after it. In the above, the X-ray detection unit 7, the size acquisition unit 10D, and the memory unit 10E constitute an acquisition unit. In the above, the conveying unit 5, the X-ray detection unit 7, and the control unit 10 constitute an item sorting judgment device 50.

[0037] As described above, in the item allocation determination device 50, when an item G is larger than the width of the passing chute 36 of the downstream weighing and packaging system 30, the control unit 10 determines that the item G will get stuck in the passing chute 36, and outputs a allocation signal. Therefore, by operating the sorting device 12 based on the allocation signal, the item G that is larger than the width of the passing chute 36 can be sorted and removed from the conveying unit 5. This makes it possible to prevent the item G from getting stuck in the downstream passing chute 36.

[0038] In the article allocation determination device 50, a cutting device 19 is disposed in the conveying section 5, which cuts and processes the article G to generate article pieces. The control section 10 obtains third information based on the first information, and outputs an allocation signal when it is determined that the article G will clog in the passing chute 36 as a result of comparing the second information with the third information. In this case, it is possible to accurately determine whether the article G will clog in the passing chute 36, and it is possible to reliably prevent the article G from clogging the passing chute 36.

[0039] In the article allocation determination device 50, the control unit 10 outputs an allocation signal to the sorting device 12, which is arranged upstream of the cutting device 19, to sort the articles G before cutting from the conveying unit 5. If the articles G are larger than a predetermined standard size, the article pieces generated by cutting will also be relatively large, so sorting the articles G before cutting from the conveying unit 5 can prevent clogging.

[0040] In the article allocation determination device 50, the second information is information about the width of the passing chute 36 of the combination weighing device 34 arranged downstream of the conveying section 5. In this case, it is possible to prevent the articles G from clogging the passing chute 36.

[0041] In the item allocation determination device 50, the control unit 10 acquires the total weight of the items G conveyed by the conveying unit 5 per predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more items G assigned from the conveying unit 5, and controls the setting of the item processing device 20. In this case, it is possible to appropriately set the item processing device 20. As a result, it is easier to control the oil temperature of the downstream item processing device 20, for example, the fryer, which contributes to stable quality. For example, by changing the temperature of the downstream item processing device 20 according to the supply amount of the items G, the product (potato chips) can be made at the optimal temperature for the supply amount, preventing the occurrence of defective products. In addition, it is possible to prevent clogging of products that have deformed according to the degree of frying. This is because when the product is undercooked, the product itself does not shrink as much as expected and is prone to clogging, while when the product is over-fried, it becomes more likely to be deformed and become entangled with other products, making it more likely to be clogging.

[0042] The article allocation determination device 50 further includes an X-ray irradiation unit 6, an X-ray detection unit 7, and an inspection unit 10B. The size acquisition unit 10D acquires the first information based on the transmitted image. The control unit 10 also outputs an allocation signal when the inspection determines that an abnormality has occurred. In this case, by pre-sorting the inserted articles G that are different from a predetermined standard, articles G that contain foreign matter, or foreign matter itself (e.g., stones, etc.) from among the inserted articles G, it is possible to prevent clogging and the inclusion of foreign matter, and to prevent failure of downstream devices (e.g., the blade of the cutting device 19).

[0043] Although the embodiments have been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the article allocation determination device 50 is applied to the X-ray inspection device 1, but is not limited thereto. The article allocation determination device 50 according to one aspect of the present invention may be applied to other devices. In the above embodiment, the passage opening is the passage chute 36, but the passage opening is not particularly limited. Various other openings may be applied as the passage opening as long as they are openings through which the article G passes in the rear stage of the conveying section 5. In the above embodiment, the second information may be information regarding the width of the passage opening of the member of the vertical packaging device 35. In the above, the term "downstream" includes the case where the upstream and downstream are arranged in series, and the case where the downstream side of the device is referred to. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1...X-ray inspection device, 5...conveying section, 6...X-ray irradiation section, 7...X-ray detection section (acquisition section, detection section), 10...control section, 10B...inspection section, 10C...calculation section, 10D...size acquisition section, 10E...memory section (acquisition section), 12...sorting device, 19...cutting device, 20...item processing device, 30...weighing and packaging system, 36...passing chute (passing opening), 50...item sorting determination device, G, G1, G2...items.

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys an article; an acquisition unit that acquires first information regarding the size of the item being transported by the transport unit and second information regarding the width of a passage opening through which the item passes downstream of the transport unit; An item allocation determination device comprising: a control unit that outputs a allocation signal to allocate the item from the conveying unit when it is determined that the item will get clogged at the passage port based on the first information and the second information.

2. A cutting device is disposed in the conveying section and configured to cut and process the object to generate object pieces; The control unit is determining third information relating to a size of an article piece when the article is cut based on the first information; 2. The article allocation determination device according to claim 1, wherein the allocation signal is output when it is determined that the article will get stuck at the passage opening as a result of comparing the second information with the third information.

3. The article allocation determination device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit outputs the allocation signal to a sorting device arranged upstream of the cutting device, so as to sort the articles before cutting from the conveying unit.

4. The article allocation determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the second information is information relating to a width of a passage opening for members of a combination weighing device or a vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveying section.

5. The control unit obtains a total weight of the items transported by the conveying unit per specified time, excluding the weight of one or more of the items allocated from the conveying unit, and controls settings of an item processing device arranged downstream of the conveying unit.

6. an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates the object being transported by the transport unit with X-rays; A detection unit that detects the X-rays that have passed through the article; An inspection unit that generates a transmission image based on the X-rays detected by the detection unit and inspects the article using the generated transmission image, The acquisition unit acquires the first information based on the transmission image, The article allocation determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit outputs a allocation signal for allocating the article from the conveying unit even if the inspection determines that an abnormality has occurred.

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