Selector

Abstract

To provide a selector capable of improving selection operation efficiency.SOLUTION: A sorter 1 comprises a chain conveyor 10 that includes a measurement region R1 and a sorting region R2 in a conveyance path, and a measurement device 12 that measures a garden stuff F in the measurement region R1. The chain conveyor 10 includes a plurality of conveyance units 101 on which the garden stuff F is placed, and moves the conveyance units 101 in a conveying direction. Each conveyance unit 101 includes a plurality of rotary claws 104 independently rotatable about a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the garden stuff F is placed on the rotary claws 104 to be conveyed. In the sorting region R2, the rotary claws 104 on which the garden stuff F is placed are rotated at a prescribed timing corresponding to the measuring result in the measurement region R1, and conveyed garden stuff F is dropped at a prescribed position to be sorted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sorting device that sorts objects. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sorting device that detects the quality of fruits and vegetables transported on a conveyor by capturing images of the fruits and vegetables, and has a robot remove non-standard fruits and vegetables with a catcher (suction). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6761569 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, which uses a robot catcher system, there is a problem in that when the processing capacity of the robot is exceeded, the input amount must be reduced, making it difficult to improve work efficiency.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sorting device that can improve the efficiency of sorting operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the sorting device disclosed herein is a sorting device that measures the objects to be sorted and sorts them according to the measurement results of the measured objects, and is equipped with a conveying device having a measurement area and a sorting area within a conveying path, and a measuring device that measures the objects to be sorted in the measurement area, and the conveying device has a plurality of conveying units on which the objects to be sorted are placed and moves the conveying units in the conveying direction, and the conveying units have a plurality of rotating mounting sections that can each rotate independently around a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the objects to be sorted are placed on the rotating mounting sections for conveying, and in the sorting area, the rotating mounting section on which the objects to be sorted are placed is rotated at a predetermined timing according to the measurement results in the measurement area, and the transported objects to be sorted are dropped at a predetermined position for sorting.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the objects to be sorted can be transported in a dispersed state on the transport device, and the objects can be sorted while still in the dispersed state. This allows the sorting device to improve the efficiency of sorting operations. The sorting device can also use the same transport device in the measurement area and the sorting area, and the objects to be sorted can be transported and sorted using the same transport device while still in the dispersed state. This also improves the efficiency of transport and sorting, and simplifies the configuration of the sorting device.

[0008] In addition, in the above-mentioned sorting device, the sorting area is provided with a plurality of abutment members corresponding to the rotating loading section of the conveying unit, the abutment members being capable of switching between abutment and separation at a predetermined position with respect to the rotating loading section, and the rotating loading section can be configured to rotate by abutting against the abutment members while moving in the conveying direction.

[0009] In addition, the sorting device may be configured such that the transport unit has a partition portion on at least one of the front and rear sides in the transport direction, which separates the transport unit from the front and rear.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the objects to be sorted from undesirably moving in the conveying direction during conveying.

[0011] The sorting device may be configured such that the partition section includes a protective roller that is rotatable when it comes into contact with the objects to be sorted placed on the transport unit.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent scratches or the like caused by friction on the surfaces of the objects to be sorted that come into contact with the partition section. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The sorting device of the present disclosure has an effect of improving the efficiency of sorting work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the chain conveyor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the chain conveyor. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the rotational operation of the rotary claws when fruits or vegetables being transported by the transport unit are dropped. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between a transport unit and a lifting member. [Figure 6] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation of pattern 1 for returning the rotating claw and the claw holder to their original states. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation of pattern 2 for returning the rotating claw and the claw holder to their original states. [Figure 8] 4 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device in a measurement area of ​​a first measuring device. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device in a sorting area. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the chain conveyor. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the chain conveyor. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a transport unit and a lifting member in the fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a transport unit and a lifting member in the fifth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [First embodiment] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device (selection device) 1 in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] The sorting device 1 measures the quality of the fruits and vegetables F to be sorted while transporting the fruits and vegetables F and sorts the fruits and vegetables F based on the measured quality information. As shown in Fig. 1, the sorting device 1 has a chain conveyor (transport device) 10, a roller conveyor 11, a measuring device 12, a lifting member (contact member) 13, and a control device 14.

[0017] The chain conveyor 10 is a conveyor that connects multiple transport units 101 so that they can move in a circular motion. The multiple transport units 101 are connected by a drive chain 102 (see Figs. 8 and 9), and are provided with a transport force for moving in a circular motion. Note that in Fig. 1, the drive chain 102 is not shown, and the circular movement trajectory of the transport units 101 is shown by a dashed line. In addition, in the chain conveyor 10, the transport area for fruits and vegetables F by the transport units 101 is set to a measurement area R1 on the upstream side in the transport direction and a sorting area R2 on the downstream side thereof.

[0018] A roller conveyor 11, a first measuring device 12A, and a second measuring device 12B (collectively referred to as measuring devices 12) are arranged in measurement area R1 of the chain conveyor 10. The first measuring device 12A and the second measuring device 12B measure the fruit or vegetable F being transported in measurement area R1. The roller conveyor 11 is located below a transport unit 101 that transports the fruit or vegetable F in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A, and, as will be described in detail later, imparts rotation to the fruit or vegetable F being transported.

[0019] A lifting member 13 is disposed in the sorting area R2 of the chain conveyor 10. The lifting member 13 is located below the transport units 101 that transport the fruits and vegetables F in the sorting area R2, and, as will be described in detail later, is capable of coming into contact with the transport units 101 during movement by the lifting operation.

[0020] The control device 14 controls the overall operation of the sorting device 1, and at least controls the drive of the chain conveyor 10 and the roller conveyor 11, the measurement process performed by the measuring device 12, and the lifting operation of the lifting member 13.

[0021] The first measuring device 12A and the second measuring device 12B measure the fruits and vegetables F transported through the measurement area R1 of the chain conveyor 10, and obtain quality information and position information on each fruit and vegetable F on the chain conveyor 10. In this embodiment, the first measuring device 12A is a camera device that performs surface measurement on the surface of the fruits and vegetables F from above. The second measuring device 12B is an X-ray measuring device that performs internal measurement of the fruits and vegetables F by X-ray irradiation or the like, and is composed of an irradiation unit that irradiates the fruits and vegetables F with X-rays from above, and a light receiving unit that receives the X-rays that have passed through the fruits and vegetables F. The quality information of the fruits and vegetables F obtained by the measurement of the measuring device 12 includes, for example, the grade or class of the fruits and vegetables F. The quality information and position information of each fruit and vegetables F are sent from the measuring device 12 to the control device 14. It is not essential that the sorting device 1 has both the first measuring device 12A and the second measuring device 12B, and only one of them may be provided.

[0022] Furthermore, the control device 14 controls the lifting and lowering operation of the lifting members 13 based on the quality information and position information sent from the measuring device 12. In the sorting area R2, a plurality of lifting members 13 are arranged in multiple stages (three stages in the example of FIG. 1) along the conveying direction of the chain conveyor 10. Each lifting member 13 selects whether to abut against or separate from the conveying unit 101 passing directly underneath, depending on whether or not it is lifting or lowering. In the conveying unit 101 that abuts against the lifting member 13, a sorting operation, which will be described later, occurs, and the fruits or vegetables F to be sorted are dropped downward.

[0023] In the sorting area R2 of the chain conveyor 10, sorting and discharging conveyors 20 are arranged in multiple stages below the transport units 101 that transport the fruits and vegetables F, for example, facing the lifting members 13. The sorting and discharging conveyors 20 transport the fruits and vegetables F that have fallen from the transport units 101, and the sorted fruits and vegetables F are packed into boxes at the destination of the sorting and discharging conveyor 20.

[0024] Next, a specific configuration of the transport unit 101 in the chain conveyor 10 will be described. Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged perspective views showing a part of the chain conveyor 10. Note that the arrow A in Figures 2 and 3 indicates the transport direction.

[0025] The transport unit 101 has a shape in which the dimension in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the transport direction) is larger than the dimension in the transport direction. Specifically, the dimension in the width direction of the transport unit 101 is a dimension that allows multiple (several to a dozen or so) fruits or vegetables F to be lined up in the width direction and transported simultaneously. On the other hand, the dimension in the transport direction of the transport unit 101 is a dimension that allows only one fruit or vegetable F to be placed on it.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each transport unit 101 has a support pillar 103, a rotating claw (rotating placement portion) 104, a protective roller 105, and a claw holder 106. The support pillars 103 are disposed at both ends of the transport unit 101 in the width direction. A plurality of rotating claws 104, protective rollers 105, and claw holders 106 (eight of each in Figures 2 and 3) are provided between the support pillars 103 along the width direction. The transport unit 101 is moved in a circular motion in the transport direction by connecting the bottom of the support pillar 103 to a drive chain 102 (not shown in Figures 2 and 3).

[0027] Each of the multiple rotary claws 104 can rotate independently around a rotary shaft 104a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Specifically, one end of the rotary claw 104 in the longitudinal direction is the rotary shaft 104a (see FIG. 4), and the rotary claw 104 is rotatable about the rotary shaft 104a between a loading position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a dropping position indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0028] The placement position of the rotating claw 104 is a position in the measurement area R1 and the sorting area R2 where the longitudinal direction of the rotating claw 104 is horizontal and where the fruit or vegetable F can be placed on the rotating claw 104 without falling. In the placement position, the end on the rotating shaft 104a side is downstream in the conveying direction. In addition, the placement position is not limited to when the longitudinal direction of the rotating claw 104 is completely horizontal, and includes when the tip of the rotating claw 104 (the end opposite the rotating shaft) is slightly upward (the longitudinal direction of the rotating claw 104 is approximately horizontal).

[0029] The drop position of the rotating claw 104 is a position in the measurement area R1 and the sorting area R2 where the tip of the rotating claw 104 faces downward (the tip of the rotating claw 104 is lower than the rotation axis) and where the fruit or vegetable F placed on the rotating claw 104 can be dropped. Note that the drop position of the rotating claw 104 is preferably a position where the longitudinal direction of the rotating claw 104 is vertical, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the fruit or vegetable F can be dropped quickly.

[0030] The multiple protective rollers 105 are rollers that protect the surfaces of the fruits and vegetables F being transported, and are arranged downstream in the transport direction from the rotating claws 104. Each of the multiple protective rollers 105 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 105a provided between the support posts 103. When each protective roller 105 comes into contact with the fruits and vegetables F placed on the transport unit 101, it is capable of rotating in response to the fruits and vegetables F, preventing scratches and the like on the surfaces of the fruits and vegetables F due to rubbing. The protective rollers 105 also function as partitions that separate adjacent transport units 101 from each other in the transport direction into front and rear. This makes it possible to prevent the fruits and vegetables F from moving undesirably in the transport direction during transport.

[0031] The plurality of claw holders 106 are disposed downstream of the rotating claw 104 in the transport direction, and each of them can rotate independently. Specifically, the claw holders 106 are rotatable about a rotation shaft 106a (see FIG. 4). The plurality of claw holders 106 are disposed to face the plurality of rotating claws 104 in the transport direction, and can hold the tip of the rotating claw 104 in the placement position. As shown in FIG. 4, each claw holder 106 does not hold the rotating claw 104 provided in the same transport unit 101, but holds the tip of the rotating claw 104 provided in the transport unit 101 that is transported immediately before.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the rotational operation of the rotating claws 104 when dropping the fruit or vegetable F transported by the transport unit 101. As shown in Fig. 4, each claw holder 106 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 106a between a holding position indicated by a solid line in Fig. 4 and a holding release position indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0033] As described above, the holding position of the claw holding unit 106 is a position where it can hold the tip of the rotating claw 104 in the loading position. The holding release position of the claw holding unit 106 is a position where it releases its hold on the tip of the rotating claw 104. That is, in sorting area R2, the claw holding unit 106 rotates from the holding position to the holding release position, thereby releasing the hold on the tip of the rotating claw 104, and the rotating claw 104 rotates to the drop position due to the weight of the fruit or vegetable F placed on the rotating claw 104, causing the fruit or vegetable F to drop. In sorting area R2, the claw holding unit 106 is designed to maintain its posture in the holding position due to its own weight.

[0034] Furthermore, rotation of claw holder 106 from the holding position to the holding release position occurs in response to the lifting and lowering operation of lift member 13. As shown in Fig. 5, lift member 13 has movable shaft 131 that is movable in the up and down direction (the direction of arrow B in the figure), and movable shaft 131 can take an elevated position where it can come into contact with claw holder 106 during transport movement, and a lowered position where it is separated from claw holder 106 during transport movement. Movable shaft 131 in Fig. 5 shows the elevated position.

[0035] When the movable shaft 131 is in the raised position, the claw holder 106 abuts against the movable shaft 131 in the transport unit 101 during transport movement, and this abutment causes the claw holder 106 to rotate from the holding position to the holding release position. In sorting area R2, the movable shaft 131 is controlled to be in the raised position at locations where fruit or vegetable F is to be dropped, and to be in the lowered position at locations where fruit or vegetable F is not to be dropped. This makes it possible to selectively drop fruit or vegetable F in sorting area R2.

[0036] The rotating claw 104 that has rotated to the drop position in the sorting area R2 must be returned to the original placement position (and held by the claw holder 106 in the holding position) before re-entering the transport area for the fruits and vegetables F. Below, two patterns will be described as examples of the operation of returning the rotating claw 104 and the claw holder 106 to their original states.

[0037] (Pattern 1) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of operation of pattern 1 in which the rotary claw 104 and the claw holder 106 are returned to their original states. As shown in FIG. 6, in the example of operation of pattern 1, a rotary claw return guide 16A and a claw holder movement guide 17A are provided downstream of the sorting area R2 and in the upper track area of ​​the circular movement. The rotary claw return guide 16A is a guide that lifts the contacting rotary claw 104 so as to return it from the drop position to the placement position (preferably slightly above the placement position) as the transport unit 101 moves. The claw holder movement guide 17A is a guide that moves the contacting claw holder 106 to the hold release position as the transport unit 101 moves.

[0038] Rotating claw return guide 16A and claw holder movement guide 17A are arranged so as to satisfy the following conditions 1 to 3 for the same transport unit 101 in which rotating claw 104 and claw holder 106 are returned to their original states. Condition 1: The timing (timing 1) at which claw holder movement guide 17A moves claw holder 106 to the release position is before the timing (timing 2) at which rotating claw return guide 16A lifts rotating claw 104 to the placement position. Condition 2: The timing (timing 3) at which claw holder movement guide 17A and claw holder 106 are released from contact with each other and claw holder 106 returns to the holding position is later than (timing 2). Condition 3: The timing (timing 4) at which the contact between the rotary claw return guide 16A and the rotary claw 104 is released is later than (timing 3).

[0039] According to conditions 1 and 2, when the rotating claw return guide 16A lifts the rotating claw 104 from the drop position to the loading position, the claw holding portion 106 has moved to the holding release position and does not impede the movement of the rotating claw 104. Also, according to condition 3, when the rotating claw return guide 16A releases the contact with the rotating claw 104, the rotating claw 104 has already been returned to the holding position, and at this point, the transport unit 101 is returned to its original state in which the rotating claw 104 in the loading position is held by the claw holding portion 106.

[0040] (Pattern 2) 7 is a diagram showing an example of operation of pattern 2 in which the rotary claw 104 and the claw holder 106 are returned to their original states. As shown in FIG. 7, in the example of operation of pattern 2, a rotary claw return guide 16B is provided in a descending section just before the lower track section of the circular movement, and a claw holder movement guide 17B is provided in the lower track section of the circular movement (i.e., downstream of the rotary claw return guide 16B). The rotary claw return guide 16B is a guide that pushes down the rotary claw 104 that it abuts against toward the placement position as the transport unit 101 moves. The claw holder movement guide 17B is a guide that moves the claw holder 106 that it abuts against to a holding release position as the transport unit 101 moves.

[0041] In the operation of pattern 2, when the rotary claw return guide 16B pushes down the rotary claw 104 toward the placement position, the claw holder 106 is in the holding position. Therefore, at this point, the rotary claw 104 is prevented from returning completely to the placement position by the claw holder 106. Thereafter, the claw holder movement guide 17B moves the claw holder 106 to the release position, which removes the inhibition by the claw holder 106 and allows the rotary claw 104 to return completely to the placement position. Further after this, the contact between the claw holder movement guide 17B and the claw holder 106 is released, and the claw holder 106 returns to the holding position. At this point, the transport unit 101 is returned to the original state in which the rotary claw 104 in the placement position is held by the claw holder 106.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view showing the schematic configuration of the sorting device 1 in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A. However, the first measuring device 12A is not shown in Fig. 8. In the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A, the width dimension of the measuring device 12 and the roller conveyor 11 corresponds to the width dimension of the transport unit 101. That is, the measuring device 12 can measure the fruit or vegetable F placed at any position in the width direction relative to the transport unit 101. Similarly, the roller conveyor 11 can rotate the fruit or vegetable F placed at any position in the width direction relative to the transport unit 101.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, the roller conveyor 11 is configured with a number of drive rollers 111 arranged in a matrix in the conveying direction and width direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction), and is a self-revolving roller conveyor in which all of the drive rollers 111 can move in circles and rotate on their own axes.

[0044] The drive rollers 111 arranged in a matrix are disposed between the rotating claws 104 of the transport unit 101 in the width direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper ends of the drive rollers 111 are positioned slightly above the upper surfaces of the rotating claws 104. As a result, in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A, the fruit or vegetable F is transported while placed on the roller conveyor 11, rather than on the transport unit 101.

[0045] In the roller conveyor 11, the moving speed of the drive rollers 111 is set to be equal to the moving speed of the transport unit 101 in the chain conveyor 10. As a result, the fruits or vegetables F do not change their relative position to the transport unit 101 in the transport direction while being transported by the roller conveyor 11.

[0046] While the fruit or vegetable F is being transported by the roller conveyor 11, the rotation of the drive rollers 111 causes the fruit or vegetable F to also rotate on its axis. This enables the first measuring device 12A to measure the entire surface of the fruit or vegetable F. On the other hand, the roller conveyor 11 is not present in the measurement area of ​​the second measuring device 12B, and the fruit or vegetable F is transported by the transport unit 101, so no rotation occurs in the fruit or vegetable F. This allows the second measuring device 12B to perform internal measurement of the fruit or vegetable F by irradiating it with X-rays, etc.

[0047] Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of the sorting device 1 in the sorting area R2. However, in Fig. 9, the sorting discharge conveyor 20 is omitted, and only one stage of the lifting member 13 is shown representatively (though three stages are shown along the conveying direction in Fig. 1).

[0048] As described above, each transport unit 101 can simultaneously transport a plurality (several to a dozen or so) of fruits and vegetables F lined up in the width direction. This allows the sorting device 1 to distribute the fruits and vegetables F on the chain conveyor 10. Note that distributed arrangement here means that the fruits and vegetables F can be randomly arranged on the chain conveyor 10 in both the transport direction and the width direction.

[0049] In the sorting area R2, multiple lifting members 13 are provided along the width direction on each level, specifically, the same number as the rotating claws 104 and claw holders 106 of the transport units 101 on each level. The control device 14 can individually control the lifting operation of each lifting member 13. This allows the sorting device 1 to selectively perform a dropping operation (sorting operation) on any of the fruits or vegetables F when multiple fruits or vegetables F lined up in the width direction are placed on each transport unit 101. In the example of FIG. 9, three fruits or vegetables F are placed on the transport unit 101 at the right end in the figure, but by controlling only the three lifting members 13 corresponding to range C, it is possible to selectively drop (sort) only the fruits or vegetables F located in the center of the width direction.

[0050] When the fruits and vegetables F distributed on the chain conveyor 10 are measured by the measuring device 12, their positions in the width direction are included in the position information. Furthermore, the positions in the width direction of the fruits and vegetables F transported on the chain conveyor 10 do not change between measurement and sorting.

[0051] The control device 14 tracks the movement in the conveyance direction of each fruit or vegetable F measured in the measurement area R1, and controls the lifting and lowering operation of the lifting members 13 based on the widthwise position information when sorting the fruit or vegetable F. In this case, even if fruit or vegetable F of different sizes are present in different positions in the width direction on the same shelf, by controlling only the lifting members 13 corresponding to the fruit or vegetable F to be sorted, only the fruit or vegetable F to be sorted can be sorted.

[0052] Since the sorting device 1 is capable of sorting not only by size (class), but also by grades such as color, shape, and flavor, the number of sorting stages is not limited to three as in the above example, and may have more sorting stages.

[0053] As described above, the sorting device 1 of this embodiment is capable of transporting fruits and vegetables F in a dispersed state on the chain conveyor 10, and is capable of sorting the fruits and vegetables F in the dispersed state. This enables the sorting device 1 to improve the efficiency of sorting operations.

[0054] Furthermore, in the sorting device 1 of this embodiment, the chain conveyor 10 can be used as a transport device in both the measurement area R1 and the sorting area R2, and the fruits and vegetables F to be sorted can be transported and sorted by the same transport device in a dispersed state. This also improves the efficiency of transport and sorting, and simplifies the configuration of the sorting device 1.

[0055] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, a modified configuration for imparting rotation to fruits and vegetables F transported in the measurement area R1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting device 1 in a second embodiment. FIGS. 11 and 12 are enlarged perspective views showing a portion of a chain conveyor 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the sorting device 1 of this embodiment does not include a roller conveyor 11. Moreover, the chain conveyor 10 includes a transport unit 101A shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 instead of the transport unit 101 of the first embodiment.

[0056] 11 and 12, like the transport unit 101 of the first embodiment, the transport unit 101A has a support 103, a rotating claw 104, a protective roller 105, and a claw holder 106. The configuration and operation of these are the same as those of the transport unit 101. On the other hand, the transport unit 101A is provided with a rotation imparting roller 107 for imparting rotation to the fruit or vegetable F.

[0057] The rotation imparting rollers 107 are attached to each of the rotating claws 104 along the longitudinal direction of the rotating claws 104, two at a time, on the same side in the width direction. The rotation shaft 107a of the rotation imparting roller 107 is supported at one end by the rotating claws 104. This allows the rotation imparting roller 107 to move integrally with the rotation shaft 107a when the rotation shaft 107a rotates. In this embodiment, the rotation imparting roller 107 is a drive roller. It is preferable that the rotation drive force of the rotation imparting roller 107 is transmitted from a drive motor (not shown) to the rotation imparting roller 107 via a drive transmission belt (not shown) or the like, provided at an appropriate location of the transport unit 101A (for example, near the base of the rotation shaft 107a).

[0058] In the transport unit 101A, the fruit or vegetable F to be transported is placed on the rotation imparting rollers 107. The transport unit 101A can impart rotation to the fruit or vegetable F being transported by driving the rotation imparting rollers 107 to rotate.

[0059] 10 includes the first measuring device 12A but does not include the second measuring device 12B. However, if the transport unit 101A is configured to be able to turn on / off the rotation of the rotation imparting roller 107 in any area, the sorting device 1 can also include the second measuring device 12B. In this case, the transport unit 101A rotates the rotation imparting roller 107 in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A and stops the rotation of the rotation imparting roller 107 in the measurement area of ​​the second measuring device 12B. If the rotation of the rotation imparting roller 107 is stopped, the transported fruit or vegetable F does not rotate, so that the second measuring device 12B can measure the inside of the fruit or vegetable F. If the second measuring device 12B can measure the inside of the fruit or vegetable F, the rotation imparting roller 107 and its rotation shaft 107a are made of an X-ray transparent material (such as plastic).

[0060] Third Embodiment In this embodiment, another modified example of the configuration for causing the fruits or vegetables F transported in the measurement area R1 to rotate on their own axis will be described. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the sorting device 1 in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the sorting device 1 of this embodiment does not include a roller conveyor 11, but instead includes a belt conveyor 15. Moreover, the chain conveyor 10 includes a transport unit 101B instead of the transport unit 101 of the first embodiment.

[0061] The transport unit 101B has a configuration similar to that of the transport unit 101A shown in Figures 11 and 12, but differs from the transport unit 101A only in that the rotation imparting roller 107 is not a driven roller but a free roller that is freely rotatable around a rotation shaft 107a.

[0062] In this embodiment, in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A, the transport unit 101A is transported while the rotation imparting roller 107 is in contact with the upper surface of the belt conveyor 15. At this time, the rotation imparting roller 107 is rotated by contact with the belt conveyor 15, and the transported fruit or vegetable F can also be rotated.

[0063] At this time, the rotation speed of the rotation imparting roller 107 in the driven rotation corresponds to the difference between the rotation speed of the chain conveyor 10 (the movement speed of the transport unit 101B) and the rotation speed of the belt conveyor 15. Therefore, if the rotation directions of the chain conveyor 10 and the belt conveyor 15 are the same in the measurement area of ​​the first measuring device 12A, the rotation speed of the rotation imparting roller 107 can be set to be slower than the transport speed of the fruit or vegetable F, and the first measuring device 12A can satisfactorily measure the surface area of ​​the fruit or vegetable F.

[0064] 13 includes a first measuring device 12A but does not include a second measuring device 12B. However, the sorting device 1 of this embodiment can also include the second measuring device 12B. In this case, the belt conveyor 15 need not be provided in the measurement area of ​​the second measuring device 12B, and the rotation imparting roller 107 should not be caused to rotate due to being driven. If the rotation imparting roller 107 does not rotate due to being driven, the transported fruit or vegetable F will not rotate due to being driven, and therefore the second measuring device 12B can measure the inside of the fruit or vegetable F.

[0065] [Fourth embodiment] As described in the first embodiment, the rotation of the rotating claw 104 when dropping the fruit or vegetable F in the sorting area R2 occurs in response to the lifting and lowering of the lifting member 13. In the first embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which the lifting member 13 is provided below the transport unit 101, and the rotation of the rotating claw 104 occurs when the movable shaft 131 of the lifting member 13 is in the raised position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a configuration in which the lifting member 13 is provided above the transport unit 101, and the rotation of the rotating claw 104 occurs when the movable shaft 131 of the lifting member 13 is in the lowered position.

[0066] FIG. 14 shows an example of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a transport unit 101C and the lifting member 13 used in the chain conveyor 10 of this embodiment.

[0067] 14, the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 is provided midway rather than at the end of the rotating claw 104, and one end (upper end) of the rotating claw 104 serves as a contact portion 104b that can contact the lifting member 13. In the transport unit 101C, the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 may be common to the rotating shaft 105a of the protection roller 105.

[0068] In the transport unit 101C, the rotating claw 104 can rotate between a loading position (shown on the left side in FIG. 14) where the fruit or vegetable F can be placed and transported, and a dropping position (shown on the right side in FIG. 14) where the fruit or vegetable F can be dropped. The rotating claw 104 is biased toward the loading position by an elastic member (such as a spring) not shown.

[0069] When rotating the rotating claw 104 toward the drop position, the movable shaft 131 of the corresponding lifting member 13 is moved to the lowered position. This causes the abutment portion 104b of the rotating claw 104 to abut against the movable shaft 131, and the rotating claw 104 rotates to the drop position by receiving a force from the movable shaft 131. This causes the transport unit 101C to drop the fruit or vegetable F. After the transport unit 101C has passed the lifting member 13, the rotating claw 104 returns to the placement position by the biasing force of the elastic member.

[0070] Fifth embodiment In this embodiment, a modified configuration will be described in which the lifting member 13 is provided above the transport unit 101, and the rotating claw 104 rotates when the movable shaft 131 of the lifting member 13 is in the lowered position.

[0071] Fig. 15 shows an example of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a transport unit 101D and the lifting member 13 used in the chain conveyor 10 of this embodiment. In the transport unit 101D shown in Fig. 15, the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 is provided not at the end of the rotating claw 104 but in the middle of the rotating claw 104. Note that, in the transport unit 101D, the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 may be shared with the rotating shaft 105a of the protective roller 105. Moreover, an engaged portion 104c that can be engaged with the claw holder 106A is provided at one end (upper end) of the rotating claw 104.

[0072] The claw holder 106A is rotatable between an engagement position where it can engage with the engaged portion 104c and a disengagement position where it disengages from the engaged portion 104c, and is normally held in the engagement position. The engaging position of the claw holder 106A can be held by the biasing force of an elastic member (such as a spring) (not shown). When the engaged portion 104c of the rotating claw 104 is engaged with the claw holder 106A, the rotating claw 104 is held in the placement position.

[0073] When rotating the rotating claw 104 toward the drop position, the movable shaft 131 of the corresponding lifting member 13 is moved to the lowered position. This causes the movable shaft 131 to come into contact with the claw holding part 106A, and the claw holding part 106A rotates to the disengagement position by receiving a force from the movable shaft 131. This releases the engagement between the engaged part 104c and the claw holding part 106A, and the rotating claw 104 rotates to the drop position due to the weight of the fruit or vegetable F.

[0074] Sixth Embodiment The sorting device 1 described above is used for sorting fruits and vegetables F, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sorting device according to the present invention can also be used for, for example, judging defects in the shape of industrial products and sorting them into good and bad products.

[0075] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be determined based on the claims.

[0076] For example, the sorting device 1 described above is exemplified as being configured such that the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 is provided on the front side of the rotating claw 104 (downstream side in the conveying direction), and the rotating claw 104 is rotated so as to lower the rear end portion thereof to drop the fruit or vegetable F. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotating shaft 104a of the rotating claw 104 may be provided on the rear side of the rotating claw 104 (upstream side in the conveying direction), and the rotating claw 104 may be rotated so as to lower the front end portion thereof to drop the fruit or vegetable F. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Sorting device (selection device) 10 Chain conveyor (transport device) 101, 101A~101D Transport unit 102 Drive chain 103 Post 104 Rotating claw (rotating placement part) 104a Rotating shaft 104b Contact part 104c Engaged part 105 Protective roller (partition) 106,106A Claw holding part 107 Rotation roller 11 Roller conveyor 111 Drive roller 12. Measurement Equipment 12A First Measuring Device (Measuring Device) 12B Second measurement device (measurement device) 13 Lifting member (contact member) 131 Movable axis 14 Control device 15 Conveyor Belt 16A, 16B Rotating jaw return guide 17A, 17B Jaw holder movement guide 20 Sorting and discharge conveyor F. Fruits and vegetables (sorted items) R1 Measurement Area R2 Sorting Area

Claims

1. A sorting device that measures objects to be sorted and sorts the objects according to the measurement results, a conveying device having a measurement area and a sorting area within a conveying path; a measuring device for measuring the objects to be sorted in the measurement area; the conveying device has a plurality of conveying units on which the objects to be sorted are placed, and moves the conveying units in a conveying direction; the transport unit has a plurality of rotating placement units each capable of independently rotating about a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction, and transports the objects by placing them on the rotating placement units; This sorting device is characterized in that in the sorting area, the rotating platform on which the objects to be sorted are placed is rotated at a predetermined timing according to the measurement results in the measurement area, and the objects to be sorted being transported are dropped at a predetermined position for sorting.

2. The sorting device according to claim 1, The sorting area includes a plurality of contact members each corresponding to the rotary placement unit of the transport unit, the contact members being capable of switching between contact and separation at a predetermined position with respect to the rotary placement unit; The sorting device, wherein the rotary placement section rotates by coming into contact with the contact member while moving in a conveying direction.

3. The sorting device according to claim 1, The sorting device is characterized in that the transport unit has a partition portion on at least one of the front and rear sides in the transport direction, which separates the transport unit from the front and rear.

4. The sorting device according to claim 3, The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the partition section includes a protective roller that is rotatable when it comes into contact with the objects to be sorted placed on the transport unit.

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