Drying system of grain dryer

Abstract

To provide a drying system hardly increasing the acidity of an aliphatic acid in grain.SOLUTION: The drying system of a grain dryer comprises aliphatic acid acidity measurement means of measuring the aliphatic acid acidity in grain and a grain dryer drying grain. The grain dryer is configured to be able to switch a mode of putting priority to grain quality by setting the grain drying speed at a low speed and a mode of putting priority to a time by setting the grain drying speed at a high speed. The system is characterized by operating the grain dryer in a mode of putting priority to grain quality by setting the drying speed at a low speed, when the aliphatic acid acidity measurement means detects high aliphatic acid acidity in the grain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for drying grain. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Regarding a technique for inspecting the grade (quality) of grains, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (JP 2001-74618 A) describes a technique in which a grain sorting device (5) sorts a post-husking grain sample into clean brown rice and immature rice, sends the clean brown rice to a storage tank (21), and then sends the clean brown rice from the storage tank (21) to a taste meter (registered trademark) (9) and a rice quality meter (10) to measure the taste and rice quality. In Patent Document 1, the rice quality meter (10) irradiates light onto each grain of clean brown rice and judges the grade of the rice, such as good brown rice, immature rice, discolored grains, dead rice, and cracked rice, based on the amount of light transmitted and reflected. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that a Taste Meter (registered trademark) (9) performs spectroscopic analysis of the transmitted and reflected light when light is shone on each grain of brown rice, and determines the quality of the grain, such as the amylose value, protein, and moisture, from wavelength components related to the taste of the grain, or that it irradiates brown rice with light of a wavelength related to the taste and determines the quality from the absorbance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-74618 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technical object of the present invention is to provide a drying system that reduces the increase in fatty acid content of grains. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above-mentioned problems of the present invention are solved by the following solving means. The invention described in claim 1 is A fatty acid content measuring means for measuring the fatty acid content of grains; Equipped with a grain dryer to dry grains, The grain dryer is configured to be switchable between a mode in which priority is given to quality by slowing down the grain drying speed and a mode in which priority is given to time by speeding up the grain drying speed; This is a drying system for a grain dryer, characterized in that when the fatty acid content measuring means detects that the grain has a high fatty acid content, the drying speed is slowed down to operate in a mode that prioritizes quality.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is 2. The drying system for a grain dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that when the fatty acid content measuring means detects that the fatty acid content of the grain is high, the upper limit of the amount of grain that can be accommodated in the grain dryer is controlled to be lowered.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is The drying system of a grain dryer as described in claim 1 or claim 2 is characterized in that, based on the fatty acid content of the grain at harvest and the fatty acid content of the grain after drying measured by the fatty acid content measuring means, if the fatty acid content after drying is higher than the fatty acid content at harvest, the drying speed for the next grain is slowed down to operate in a mode that prioritizes quality.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is This is a drying system for a grain dryer described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, based on the fatty acid content of the grain at harvest and the fatty acid content of the grain after drying measured by the fatty acid content measuring means, if the fatty acid content after drying is higher than the fatty acid content at harvest, a lower evaluation point is assigned compared to a case where the fatty acid content after drying does not increase compared to the fatty acid content at harvest. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drying system that makes it difficult for the fatty acid content of grains to increase. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a crop evaluation system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the control unit of the crop evaluation system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a display image of the total points according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a crop evaluation system of the present invention.

[0015] In Fig. 1, a harvest evaluation system S according to an embodiment of the present invention has a grain dryer 1. The grain dryer 1 is a device that dries grains such as rice and wheat by causing the grains to flow inside while passing through a section to which hot air is supplied. The grain dryer 1 is equipped with a moisture meter that measures the moisture content of the grains, and monitors the moisture content of the grains during drying, and when the moisture content reaches a predetermined value, the drying operation is terminated.

[0016] Such a grain dryer 1 is described in, for example, JP 2018-128206 A and is publicly known, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0017] The harvest evaluation system S of the embodiment has a combine harvester 11 as an example of a harvester. The combine harvester 11 is a conventionally known device that harvests grains in a field, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The combine harvester 11 of the embodiment also hulls the grains when harvesting them, and the hulled grains are stored in a container (receptacle) installed in the combine harvester 11. The grains stored in the container are transferred to the grain dryer 1 and dried. The container of the embodiment is, as an example, a bag-shaped configuration, a so-called flexible container bag (flexible container bag), but a container of any shape, such as a box-shaped container, can be used. In addition, the flexible container bag of the embodiment is provided with identification information for management purposes. The identification information can be any shape, such as an ID number, a QR code (registered trademark), or a barcode.

[0018] In the embodiment, a clock for measuring time is provided in the combine harvester 11. In addition, a thermometer for measuring air temperature and a hygrometer for measuring humidity are also provided in the combine harvester 11 in the embodiment.

[0019] The harvest evaluation system S according to the embodiment has a tablet terminal 21 as an example of a terminal. The tablet terminal 21 is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the grain dryer 1 and the combine harvester 11 via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0020] The tablet terminal 21 has a touch panel 21a as an example of a display unit. The touch panel 21a of the embodiment also functions as an input unit that allows a user to input by touching it with a finger. (Explanation of the control unit) FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the control unit of the crop evaluation system according to the embodiment.

[0021] In FIG. 2, the control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1, the control unit Cb of the combine harvester 11, and the control unit Cc of the tablet terminal each have an input / output interface I / O for inputting and outputting signals with the outside. The control units Ca to Cc also have a ROM (read-only memory) in which programs and information for performing necessary processing are stored. The control units Ca to Cc also have a RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing necessary data. The control units Ca to Cc also have a CPU (central processing unit) for performing processing according to the programs stored in the ROM or the like. Thus, the control units Ca to Cc in the embodiment are configured with an information processing device, a so-called computer. Thus, the control units Ca to Cc can realize various functions by executing programs stored in the ROM or the like. (Signal input element connected to control unit Ca of grain dryer 1) In FIG. 2, a control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1 receives signals from a moisture meter SN1, a taste analyzer SN2, and other signal input members (not shown).

[0022] The moisture meter SN1 measures the moisture content of grains.

[0023] The taste analyzer SN2, which is an example of a fatty acid content measuring means, measures the taste of grains. The taste analyzer SN2 of the embodiment irradiates flowing grains with near-infrared light and measures the fatty acid content of the grains based on the transmitted light, reflected light, or scattered light. The taste analyzer SN2 itself is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and is publicly known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. (Controlled elements connected to the control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1) The control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1 outputs control signals to the grain flow device 1a, the temperature control device 1b, and other controlled elements (not shown).

[0024] The grain flow device 1a controls the speed at which the grain flows. The grain flow device 1a controls the conveying speed so that the grain is conveyed at either a predetermined high speed or a predetermined low speed.

[0025] The temperature control device 1b controls the temperature of hot air for drying grains. The temperature control device 1b controls the temperature of hot air so that hot air having a predetermined high or low temperature is fed. (Explanation of the control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1) The control unit Ca of the grain dryer 1 has the following functions (functional means, program modules).

[0026] The drying operation control means C1 performs drying operation to dry grains in response to input from an input button (not shown) of the grain dryer 1 or a control signal input from the tablet terminal 21. When quality priority is input, the drying operation control means C1 performs drying operation in a quality priority mode (low speed mode) in which the grain flow speed is slow and the hot air temperature is low. When time priority is input, the drying operation control means C1 performs drying operation in a time priority mode (high speed mode) in which the grain flow speed is fast and the hot air temperature is high.

[0027] The taste measuring means C2 measures the taste of the grain as an example of harvest information based on the measurement result of the taste analyzer SN2. The taste measuring means C2 of the embodiment obtains taste information (fatty acid content) from a part of the grain sample at the end of the drying operation and transmits it to the tablet terminal 21. (Signal input element connected to the control unit Cb of the combine 11) In FIG. 2, a control unit Cb of the combine harvester 11 receives signals from a moisture meter SN11, a taste analyzer SN12, a clock SN13, a thermometer SN14, a hygrometer SN15, and other signal input members (not shown).

[0028] The SN11 moisture meter measures the moisture content of grains at harvest.

[0029] The taste analyzer SN12, which is an example of a fatty acid content measuring means, measures the taste of grains at the time of harvest. The taste analyzer SN12 of the combine harvester 11 is configured similarly to the taste analyzer SN2 of the grain dryer 1, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] The clock SN13 measures the time.

[0031] The thermometer SN14 measures the air temperature (ambient temperature) around the combine 11.

[0032] The hygrometer SN15 measures the humidity (ambient humidity) around the combine 11. (Explanation of the control unit Cb of the combine 11) The control unit Cb of the combine harvester 11 has the following functions (functional means, program modules).

[0033] The moisture measuring means C11 measures the moisture content as an example of harvest information based on the measurement results of the moisture meter SN11. In the embodiment, the moisture meter SN11 measures the average moisture content (initial moisture content) at the time of harvest by the combine 11. Note that the moisture meter SN11 in the embodiment is disposed at a position to measure the moisture content of the grains on their way to the flexi-con bag after husking. The moisture measuring means C11 in the embodiment also measures the "moisture variation" which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the initial moisture content at harvest. Note that information on the measured initial moisture content and moisture variation is transmitted to the tablet terminal 21 together with the identification information of the flexi-con bag.

[0034] The taste measuring means C12 measures the taste of the grain based on the measurement results of the taste analyzer SN12. Like the moisture meter SN11, the taste analyzer SN12 of the embodiment is also placed at a position where it can measure the taste of the grain sent to the flexi-con bag after husking. The taste measuring means C12 of the embodiment obtains the average value of taste information (fatty acid content) at the time of harvest and transmits it to the tablet terminal 21 together with the identification information of the flexi-con bag.

[0035] The harvest time measurement means C13 measures the harvest time, which is the time when harvesting is performed by the combine, based on the time of the clock SN13. The harvest time measurement means C13 transmits the measured harvest time to the tablet terminal 21 together with the identification information of the flexible container bag.

[0036] The temperature measurement means C14 measures the outside air temperature (ambient temperature) during harvesting work with the combine based on the temperature measured by the thermometer SN 14. The temperature measurement means C14 transmits the measured outside air temperature to the tablet terminal 21 together with the identification information of the flexible container bag.

[0037] The humidity measurement means C15 measures the environmental humidity during harvesting work with the combine based on the humidity measured by the hygrometer SN15. The humidity measurement means C15 transmits the measured environmental humidity to the tablet terminal 21 together with the identification information of the flexible container bag. (Signal input element connected to the control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21) The control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21 receives signals from the touch panel 21a and other signal input members (not shown).

[0038] The touch panel 21a detects an input based on the position touched by the user's finger. (Controlled elements connected to the control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21) The control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21 outputs control signals to the touch panel 21a and other controlled elements (not shown).

[0039] The touch panel 21a displays an image in response to a signal from the control unit Cc. (Explanation of the control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21) The control unit Cc of the tablet terminal 21 has the following functions (functional means, program modules).

[0040] The environmental information input means C21 receives environmental information related to the environment at the time of harvesting the crop. In the embodiment, information on the harvest time, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity is input from the combine harvester 11 via a communication line as an example of environmental information to the environmental information input means C21. The environmental information input means C21 in the embodiment also acquires (inputs) weather information (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.) at the time of harvest as an example of environmental information. In the embodiment, the weather information is acquired by acquiring weather information distributed on the Internet according to the harvest time and the position information of the field, as an example.

[0041] The harvest information input means C22 receives harvest information related to the harvest at harvest time. In the embodiment, as examples of harvest information, information on the initial moisture content and moisture variation from the combine harvester 11, information on the fatty acid content at harvest time from the combine harvester 11, and information on the fatty acid content after drying from the grain dryer 1 are input to the harvest information input means C22 via a communication line.

[0042] The first calculation means C23 calculates a first evaluation point based on the environmental information. In the embodiment, the first calculation means C23, based on the harvest time of the environmental information, gives a first evaluation point lower than a time period other than the early morning time period when the harvest time is included in a predetermined early morning time period. In the embodiment, as an example, when the harvest time is before 9:00 (a.m.), it is determined that the harvest time is included in the early morning time period and that unevenness in moisture content and cracking of grains are likely to occur due to morning dew, and a low value (e.g., 3 points) is given as the first evaluation point. When the harvest time is between 9:00 and 16:00, it is determined that the harvest time is included in the daytime time period and a high value (e.g., 5 points) is given as the first evaluation point. When the harvest time is after 16:00 (until midnight), it is determined that the harvest time is included in the evening time period and an intermediate value (e.g., 4 points) is given as the first evaluation point.

[0043] Furthermore, in the first calculation means C23 of the embodiment, when the environmental temperature, which is an example of environmental information, is higher than a predetermined temperature, a lower point is assigned as the first evaluation point compared to when the temperature is lower. In the embodiment, as an example, when the environmental temperature is 35 degrees or higher, it is determined that the grain temperature is high and prone to steaming, and a low value (e.g., 3 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point. When the environmental temperature is lower than 35 degrees, a high value (e.g., 5 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point.

[0044] Furthermore, when the environmental humidity, which is an example of environmental information, is higher than a predetermined humidity, the first calculation means C23 of the embodiment assigns a lower first evaluation point compared to when the humidity is low. In the embodiment, as an example, when the environmental humidity is 90% or higher, it is determined that the item is prone to becoming stuffy, and a low value (e.g., 4 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point. When the environmental humidity is less than 90%, a high value (e.g., 5 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point.

[0045] Furthermore, the first calculation means C23 of the embodiment assigns a lower first evaluation point when the weather, as an example of environmental information, is a predetermined weather condition, compared to other cases. In the embodiment, as one example, when the weather at harvest time is rainy or a typhoon has passed the day before, it is determined that the husking rate is high and that condensation or mud contamination is likely to occur in the grain dryer 1, leading to a deterioration in quality, and a low value (e.g., 4 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point. When the weather is otherwise, a high value (e.g., 5 points) is assigned as the first evaluation point.

[0046] In the first calculation means C23 of the embodiment, the first evaluation point is given based on the harvest time, the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity, and the weather, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a cold region where the field is located and the environmental temperature does not exceed 35 degrees throughout the year, it is possible not to make a judgment based on the environmental temperature. In the same way, it is possible to reduce the number of parameters to be judged depending on the environment at the time of harvest. In addition, it is also possible to increase the number of parameters, for example, in the case of a producer who is good at water management and continuously produces high-quality rice based on the past performance of the producer, a higher first evaluation point is given than other producers.

[0047] In addition, for example, the maximum temperature (or minimum temperature) can be accumulated from the date of ear emergence to the date of harvest, and if the accumulated temperature on the date of harvest is not within a specified range (for example, ±50 degrees), it can be determined that the harvest was too early or too late, and the first evaluation point can be set to a low value.

[0048] Similarly, the environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and weather are not limited to those at the time of harvest, and it is also possible to assign the first evaluation point using information such as the total hours of sunlight from planting to harvesting, the average outside temperature, the average outside humidity, the total number of rainy days, and the daily temperature difference.

[0049] The second calculation means C24 calculates the second evaluation point based on the harvest information. The second calculation means C24 of the embodiment, based on the initial moisture value, which is the moisture value contained in the harvest immediately after harvest as the harvest information, gives a higher second evaluation point when the initial moisture value is within a predetermined appropriate range than when it is not within the appropriate range. In the embodiment, as an example, when the initial moisture content is 19% to 23%, it is determined that it is within the appropriate range and a high value (for example, 5 points) is given as the second evaluation point. Also, when the initial moisture content is less than 19%, it is determined that there is a possibility that the grains are cracked (cracked) or pecked by sparrows or the like (sparrow damage), and a low point (for example, 3 points) is given. Furthermore, when the initial moisture content exceeds 23%, it is determined that there is a high possibility that there is a lot of immature rice or green rice, and a low point (for example, 4 points) is given.

[0050] Furthermore, the second calculation means C24 of the embodiment assigns a higher second evaluation point when the moisture variation as the harvest information is within a predetermined appropriate range than when it is not within the appropriate range. In the embodiment, as an example, if 99% or more of the total is within 3σ of the standard deviation σ of the moisture variation of each kernel, it is determined that the moisture variation is within the appropriate range and a high value (e.g., 4 points) is assigned as the second evaluation point. If 99% or more of the total is not within 3σ, it is determined that the moisture variation is outside the appropriate range and that there is a high risk that kernels with low moisture content will crack due to overdrying when dried, and a low value (e.g., 3 points) is assigned.

[0051] Furthermore, the second calculation means C24 of the embodiment assigns a lower second evaluation point when the fatty acid content after drying is higher than the fatty acid content at harvest based on the fatty acid content at harvest and the fatty acid content after drying as harvest information, compared to when the fatty acid content after drying is not higher than the fatty acid content at harvest. It is known that the older the rice, the higher the free fatty acid content, and when the fatty acid content increases by, for example, 1% or more after drying compared to the time of harvest (initial stage), a lower second evaluation point (e.g., 3 points) is assigned. When the increase in fatty acid content is less than 1%, a higher value (e.g., 5 points) is assigned.

[0052] The overall calculation means C25 calculates an overall point by adding up the first evaluation point calculated by the first calculation means C23 and the second evaluation point calculated by the second calculation means C24. The overall calculation means C25 of the embodiment performs an overall evaluation of the grain based on the calculated overall point. In the embodiment, as an example, an A evaluation is possible when the overall point is 34 to 30 points, a B evaluation is possible when the overall point is 30 to 25 points, and a C evaluation is possible when the overall point is 24 points or less. Note that, in the embodiment, the calculation and evaluation of the first evaluation point, the second evaluation point, and the overall point are performed for each identification information of the FIBC bag, but when the contents of multiple FIBC bags are mixed in the grain dryer 1, it is also possible to calculate an average of the points for each identification information.

[0053] The threshold values ​​used in the calculation and evaluation of each point are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate according to the design, specifications, etc. In addition, it is desirable to change the threshold value of each data depending on the variety of the harvested product.

[0054] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a display image of the total points according to the embodiment.

[0055] The display means C26 displays the calculated total points as an image on the touch panel 21a. In Fig. 3, the display image 31 has a total point display field 31a where the total points are displayed, a total evaluation field 31b where the overall evaluation is displayed, an environment point display field 31c where the first evaluation point is displayed, a harvest point display field 31d where the second evaluation point is displayed, a quality priority mode instruction button 31e, a time priority mode instruction button 31f, etc.

[0056] The drying speed control means C27 outputs a control signal to the grain dryer 1 to control the drying speed of the grain in the grain dryer 1. When the instruction button 31e for the quality priority mode is input, the drying speed control means C27 in this embodiment transmits a control signal to operate the grain dryer 1 in the quality priority mode. Also, when the instruction button 31f for the time priority mode is input, the drying speed control means C27 transmits a control signal to operate the grain dryer 1 in the time priority mode. That is, in this embodiment, the drying speed of the grain is configured to be switchable between a slow quality priority mode and a fast time priority mode in response to an input from the user.

[0057] Furthermore, when the second calculation means C24 determines that the fatty acid content after drying is greater than the fatty acid content at harvest time, the drying speed control means C27 of the embodiment controls the grain dryer 1 so that the grain dryer 1 operates in a quality priority mode in which the grain drying speed is slow in the next drying operation (next year). In other words, it is also possible to carry out learning based on the increase in fatty acid content.

[0058] In addition, when the fatty acid content increases, the drying speed is not necessarily slowed down, and it is also possible to send a control signal to the combine harvester 11 to, for example, lower the husking rate in the combine harvester 11. In addition, it is also possible to use the control signal to switch the temperature at which grains are stored until shipment to a lower temperature.

[0059] In addition, if the fatty acid content has increased, in order to prevent the fatty acid content from increasing again, it is also possible to control the amount of grain processed in one drying run to be reduced from the next run onwards, i.e., to lower the upper limit of the amount of grain that can be stored in the grain dryer 1.

[0060] In the embodiment of the harvest evaluation system S having the above configuration, a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of grains is performed based on environmental information such as the time of harvest, temperature, humidity, and weather, and harvest information detected by the moisture meters SN1, SN11 and taste analyzers SN2, SN12. Therefore, in the embodiment, a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of grains is possible without providing a rice quality meter (grade meter) as used in Patent Document 1. Therefore, a comprehensive quality evaluation of grains can be performed with an inexpensive configuration.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the calculation and evaluation of the first evaluation point, the second evaluation point, and the total point are performed on the tablet terminal 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calculation of points may be performed on the grain dryer 1 or the combine harvester 11. Furthermore, the calculation of points is not limited to a configuration in which it is centrally processed by any one of the control units Ca to Cc, but may be distributed and processed by a plurality of control units Ca to Cc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Dryer, 21a...display section, C21: Environmental information input means, C22...harvest information input means, C23: First calculation means; C24: second calculation method; C25: Comprehensive calculation method, C26...display means, Cc...control unit, S…Crop evaluation system; SN2, SN12…Method for measuring fatty acid content.

Claims

1. A fatty acid content measuring means for measuring the fatty acid content of grains; Equipped with a grain dryer to dry grains, The grain dryer is configured to be switchable between a mode in which priority is given to quality by slowing down the grain drying speed and a mode in which priority is given to time by speeding up the grain drying speed; A drying system for a grain dryer, characterized in that when the fatty acid content measuring means detects that the grain has a high fatty acid content, the drying speed is slowed down to operate in a mode that prioritizes quality.

2. 2. The drying system for a grain dryer according to claim 1, wherein when the fatty acid content measuring means detects that the fatty acid content of the grain is high, the upper limit of the amount of grain that can be accommodated in the grain dryer is controlled to be lowered.

3. A drying system of a grain dryer as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that if the fatty acid content of the grain at harvest and the fatty acid content of the grain after drying measured by the fatty acid content measuring means is higher than the fatty acid content at harvest, the drying speed for the next grain is slowed down to operate in a mode that prioritizes quality.

4. A drying system for a grain dryer as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, based on the fatty acid content of the grain at harvest and the fatty acid content of the grain after drying measured by the fatty acid content measuring means, if the fatty acid content after drying is higher than the fatty acid content at harvest, a lower evaluation point is assigned compared to a case where the fatty acid content after drying does not increase compared to the fatty acid content at harvest.

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