Moisture meter

Abstract

To provide a moisture meter with which moisture detection work by an operator is simple when detecting a moisture content value of grains of separate types differing in size, and which is available at low cost.SOLUTION: The moisture meter comprises a moisture detection unit capable of detecting the moisture content of a grain 10, and a grain supply unit 4 capable of supplying the grain 10 to the moisture detection unit. The grain supply unit 4 includes a rotor 5 the rotation axis C1 of which extends in the horizontal direction, and the rotor 5 sequentially transport a small-sized or a large-sized grain while lifting it along the direction of rotation by rotary operation. On the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 5 are provided a first transport unit 12 capable of placing only one piece of a small-sized grain in the direction of rotation during transport and having a placement surface 9a where large-sized grains cannot be placed, and a second transport unit 13 in which a gap G1 is set between the first transport unit 12 and itself, through which small-sized grains can pass and large-sized gains cannot pass in the direction of rotation during transport, and which is constituted not to allow placement of large-sized grains.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moisture meter capable of detecting the moisture content of grains. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, harvested grains such as rice and soybeans need to be dried using a dryer so that the grains meet a predetermined moisture content standard, and the drying conditions in these dryers are controlled by periodically detecting the moisture content of the grains using a moisture meter.

[0003] For example, the moisture meter disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of electrode rolls, and a grain supplying section that supplies grains between the electrode rolls is provided on the upstream side of the electrode rolls. The grain supplying section includes a roughly cylindrical rotor, and a plurality of claws are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor at a predetermined interval. Each claw has a placement surface on which only one grain can be placed in the rotation direction. When each grain is introduced sequentially from the upstream side toward the rotor, the grain is placed on the placement surface of each claw and lifted by the rotation of the rotor, and is transported along the rotation direction by the placement surface to be sequentially fed between the electrode rolls. The grains sequentially fed between the electrode rolls are crushed as they pass through the electrode rolls while being sandwiched between the electrode rolls. During the crushing, a resistance value between the electrode rolls is detected, and the moisture content value is calculated from the resistance value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3003789 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of Patent Document 1, only one type of grain with approximately the same grain size can be placed on the placement surface of each claw part in the grain feeder. For example, if the placement surface is sized to accommodate small grains such as rice, large grains such as soybeans cannot be placed on the placement surface, so the moisture content of large grains cannot be detected. On the other hand, if the placement surface is sized to accommodate large grains, multiple small grains can be placed on the placement surface, so the small grains cannot be supplied one by one between the two electrode rolls. Therefore, in the case of a device such as Patent Document 1, in order to detect the moisture content of grains with different grain sizes, it is necessary to prepare rotors in the grain feeder that correspond to small grains and large grains, respectively, and every time detection of the moisture content of small grains and detection of the moisture content of large grains are switched, the rotors in the grain feeder must be reassembled to the corresponding ones, which is cumbersome and increases the cost of parts and assembly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and its object is to provide a moisture meter that is easy for an operator to perform moisture detection work and is low cost when detecting the moisture content of different types of grains of different sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention is characterized in that the grain feeding section is structured so that small diameter grains are transported by a first conveying section, while large diameter grains are held and transported between the first and second conveying sections.

[0008] Specifically, the study targeted moisture meters capable of detecting the moisture content of grains and took the following measures:

[0009] In other words, the moisture meter of the first invention comprises a moisture detection unit capable of detecting the moisture content of both small-diameter grains and large-diameter grains having a larger particle size than the small-diameter grains, and a grain supply unit capable of supplying the small-diameter grains or the large-diameter grains one by one to the moisture detection unit, and the grain supply unit has a rotating body whose rotation axis extends horizontally and which lifts the small-diameter grains or the large-diameter grains by rotating, and which sequentially transports them along the rotation direction, and is characterized in that the outer surface of the rotating body is provided with a first conveying unit having a loading surface on which only one small-diameter grain can be placed in the rotation direction during transport, but on which the large-diameter grains cannot be placed, and a second conveying unit configured so that the large-diameter grains cannot be placed, and a gap is set between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, through which the small-diameter grains can pass in the rotation direction during transport, but through which the large-diameter grains cannot pass, and the large-diameter grains cannot be placed. In the moisture meter thus configured, when small-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeder, the small-diameter grains are placed one by one on the loading surface of the first conveying section of the rotor and are transported sequentially in the direction of rotation, while the small-diameter grains that do not land on the loading surface pass through the gap between the first and second conveying sections and fall below the rotor. Also, when large-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeder, the large-diameter grains cannot be placed on the first or second conveying section of the rotor and pass by the side of them, but are caught between the first and second conveying sections and cannot pass through.

[0010] The moisture meter of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a first guide side surface is formed on the second conveying section side of the first conveying section, which is inclined or curved so as to approach the second conveying section toward the rear side in the direction of rotation. In a moisture meter configured in this manner, when large-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeding section, the large-diameter grains passing along the side of the first conveying section are guided by the side of the first guide and gradually approach the second conveying section, where they are caught and held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section.

[0011] The moisture meter of the third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, a second guide side surface is formed on the first conveying section side of the second conveying section, which is inclined or curved so as to approach the first conveying section toward the rear side in the direction of rotation. In a moisture meter configured in this manner, when large-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeding section, the large-diameter grains passing along the side of the second conveying section are guided by the side of the second guide and gradually approach the first conveying section, where they are caught and held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section.

[0012] The moisture meter of the fourth invention is the moisture meter of the first invention, wherein the first conveying section comprises at least one of a first claw portion and a second claw portion, each having the above-mentioned mounting surface, and a grain clamping wall portion that protrudes radially outwardly of the rotor, the gap being set between the first conveying section and the second conveying section, and is capable of clamping the large-diameter grains between the first conveying section and the second conveying section, and the first claw portion is provided continuous with the protruding tip portion of the grain clamping wall portion, and the second claw portion is provided at a position spaced from the grain clamping wall portion and at a position corresponding to the gap, rearward in the direction of rotation of the gap. In the moisture meter configured in this manner, the first claw portion acts to transport small-diameter grains by utilizing the space around the protruding tip of the grain-holding wall portion. Also, when the small-diameter grains fed into the grain feeder pass through the gap formed between the grain-holding wall portion and the second transport portion, they are placed on the placement surface of the second claw portion without falling below the rotor.

[0013] The moisture meter of the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, the second conveying section has a shape that protrudes radially outward from the rotating body, and a third claw section having the above-mentioned placement surface is provided continuously with the protruding tip portion of the second conveying section. The moisture meter configured in this manner acts to make it possible to transport small-diameter kernels by utilizing the space around the protruding tip of the second transporting portion of the rotor.

[0014] The moisture meter of the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a protrusion portion is provided on the portion of the mounting surface of the first transport section that is continuous with the rotation axis center side, protruding forward in the direction of rotation. In the moisture meter thus configured, when small-diameter kernels approach the rotor, the protruding portion acts to prevent the small-diameter kernels from landing on any part other than the placement surface of the first transport section. Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the first invention, when small-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeder, the small-diameter grains are placed one by one on the placement surface of the first conveying section of the rotating body and are sequentially conveyed in the direction of rotation. On the other hand, when large-diameter grains are fed into the grain feeder, the large-diameter grains cannot be placed on the placement surface of the first conveying section of the rotating body or the second conveying section, but pass by the side of them, and cannot pass between the first conveying section and the second conveying section and become caught. Therefore, the large-diameter grains are conveyed in the direction of rotation while being held so as to straddle the first conveying section and the second conveying section, and are supplied one by one to the moisture detection section. In this way, even if grains of different particle sizes are fed into the grain feeder, they can be supplied one by one to the moisture detection section, and there is no need to change the structure of the grain feeder according to grains of different particle sizes, so that the operator can easily detect the moisture content of the grains. In addition, there is no need to manufacture a rotor for each particle size, so the moisture meter can be made low-cost.

[0016] In the second invention, when large diameter grains are fed into the grain feeding section, the large diameter grains passing beside the first conveying section are guided by the side surface of the first guide and gradually approach the second conveying section, where they are caught and held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section. In this way, the large diameter grains passing beside the first conveying section can be smoothly held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section.

[0017] In the third invention, when large diameter grains are fed into the grain feeding section, the large diameter grains passing beside the second conveying section are guided by the side surface of the second guide and gradually approach the first conveying section, and are caught and held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section. In this way, the large diameter grains passing beside the second conveying section can be smoothly held between the first conveying section and the second conveying section.

[0018] In the fourth invention, the small diameter grains can be transported by utilizing the space around the protruding tip of the grain clamping wall of the rotor. Therefore, the efficiency of supplying each small diameter grain between the two electrode rolls can be further increased without increasing the size of the entire rotor. Also, when the small diameter grains fed into the grain supply section pass through the gap formed between the grain clamping wall and the second conveying section, they do not fall below the rotor but are placed on the mounting surface of the second claw section. In this way, each small diameter grain passing near the grain clamping wall and the second conveying section is less likely to fall below the rotor, and each small diameter grain fed into the grain supply section can be efficiently supplied between the two electrode rolls.

[0019] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the small diameter grains can be transported by utilizing the space around the protruding tip of the second transport section of the rotor. Therefore, the rotor can be made compact in shape while increasing the efficiency of supplying each small diameter grain between the two electrode rolls.

[0020] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, when small-diameter grains approach the rotor, the protruding portion gets in the way and prevents the small-diameter grains from being placed on any part of the first conveyor section other than the placement surface. This makes it possible to prevent multiple small-diameter grains from being placed on the placement surface, and the small-diameter grains can be reliably supplied one by one between the electrode rolls. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a moisture meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view of the inside of a moisture meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a state where the rotor is rotated 60 degrees around the rotation axis from the state shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a view taken along the arrow V in FIG. 3, showing the state in which the grain feeding section is transporting small-diameter grains. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotor is rotated 60 degrees around the rotation axis from the state in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] 5 and shows the state in which the grain feeding section is transporting large-diameter grains. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 of a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature. EXAMPLES

[0023] 1 and 2 show a moisture meter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This moisture meter 1 is a device that is attached to a grain flow passage through which grains 10 flow down in a circulation dryer that dries harvested grains such as rice and soybeans while circulating them, and includes a roughly rectangular parallelepiped main body case 2 having an internal storage space S1.

[0024] In the first embodiment of the present invention, grains 10 such as rice and wheat having a grain size of 2 mm or more and less than 5 mm are referred to as small grains 10A, and soybeans and the like having a grain size of 5 mm or more and 16 mm or less and larger than the small grains 10A are referred to as large grains 10B (see Figs. 5 to 8). For example, the large grains 10B include corn and raw soybeans with high moisture content before drying.

[0025] A window (not shown) communicating with the accommodation space S1 is provided in approximately the center of the front surface of the main body case 2, and the window is covered with a transparent cover 2a having a rectangular plate shape.

[0026] A rectangular grain inlet 2b is formed approximately in the center of one side of the main body case 2, and grains 10 flowing down the grain flow passage in the circulating dryer are introduced into the storage space S1 through this grain inlet 2b.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, a moisture detection unit 3 capable of detecting the moisture content of the grains 10 is arranged on one widthwise side of the storage space S1, while a grain feeding unit 4 capable of supplying the grains 10 one by one is arranged on the other widthwise side of the storage space S1.

[0028] The moisture detection unit 3 comprises a rotating unit 31 arranged in a section extending from the center to the bottom of one widthwise side of the storage space S1, a drive motor 32 arranged above the rotating unit 31, and a gear box 33 connecting the drive motor 32 and the rotating unit 31.

[0029] The rotating unit 31 includes a first electrode roll 31a and a second electrode roll 31b each having a substantially circular plate shape and a certain thickness, which are made of a metal material. The outer diameter of the second electrode roll 31b is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the first electrode roll 31a.

[0030] The first electrode roll 31a is disposed directly below the drive motor 32 with its center line extending horizontally in the front-rear direction of the device, and rotates clockwise in a front view with the center line as the rotation axis. Note that the detailed structure of the first electrode roll 31a is the same as the conventional structure described in detail in JP 2021-173565 A, and therefore will not be described here.

[0031] On the other hand, the second electrode roll 31b is arranged diagonally below the first electrode roll 31a on the grain feeding section 4 side, with its center line extending horizontally in the front-to-rear direction of the device, and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front, with the center line as the rotation axis.

[0032] The drive motor 32 is connected to the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b via a gear box 33, and is configured to rotate the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b in opposite directions to each other by driving the drive motor 32 to rotate.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, on the side of the first electrode roll 31a opposite the grain feeding section 4, a first scraper 34 and a first brush 35 are arranged at a predetermined interval from the upstream side in the rotation direction, and the tips of the first scraper 34 and the first brush 35 are adapted to slide against the outer peripheral surface of the rotating first electrode roll 31a to clean the outer peripheral surface of the first electrode roll 31a.

[0034] In addition, below the second electrode roll 31b, a second scraper 36 and a second brush 37 are arranged at a predetermined interval in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction, and the tips of the second scraper 36 and the second brush 37 are adapted to slide against the outer peripheral surface of the rotating second electrode roll 31b to clean the outer peripheral surface of the second electrode roll 31b.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the grain feeding section 4 includes a rotating body 5 whose rotation axis C1 extends in the same direction as the center line of the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b, and a sheet-like sweeper 40 having elastic force.

[0036] The rotating body 5 comprises a first rotating unit 6 and a second rotating unit 7 arranged side by side along a rotation axis C1, and a shaft portion Sh protruding from the center of the first rotating unit 6 opposite the second rotating unit 7, and the first rotating unit 6, the second rotating unit 7 and the shaft portion Sh are connected to rotate integrally.

[0037] The first rotating unit 6 is made up of a first plate-shaped portion 6A, a second plate-shaped portion 6B, and a third plate-shaped portion 6C, which are positioned in this order from the shaft portion Sh side.

[0038] The first plate-shaped portion 6A has a generally triangular plate shape whose center coincides with the rotation axis C1, and its outer circumferential surface is constituted by three linear guide surfaces 6a that extend straight in a generally band shape.

[0039] The first plate-shaped portion 6A includes three first mountain-shaped portions 8A that protrude radially from the rotation axis C1, and first claw portions 9A that are provided continuously with the protruding tip portions of the first mountain-shaped portions 8A. That is, each of the first mountain-shaped portions 8A protrudes radially outward from the rotor 5. The first mountain-shaped portions 8A form the grain-holding wall portion of the present invention.

[0040] The first claw portion 9A protrudes in a block shape from approximately the rear half of the rotational direction at the protruding tip portion of the first angle-shaped portion 8A, and a rectangular first mounting surface 9a is provided on the front side in the rotational direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the first loading surface 9a is configured as a surface that can load only one small diameter kernel 10A in the rotational direction during transport, and is designed as a surface that is too small for loading large diameter kernels 10B so that large diameter kernels 10B cannot be loaded thereon.

[0042] The space between the front half of the protruding tip of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A in the rotational direction and the first mounting surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A is cut out in a substantially V-shape when viewed in the extension direction of the rotational axis C1, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. That is, a protruding portion 8a that protrudes forward in the rotational direction from the first mounting surface 9a is provided in a portion of the first mounting surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A that is continuous with the first mountain-shaped portion 8A on the rotational axis C1 side, as shown in Figure 7, and this protruding portion 8a has a mountain shape when viewed in the extension direction of the rotational axis C1.

[0043] 3 to 5, the front half of each first angle-shaped portion 8A in the rotational direction is gradually thinner as it approaches the front side in the rotational direction when viewed from the tip side of the first claw portion 9A. That is, on the second plate-shaped portion 6B side of the front half of each first angle-shaped portion 8A in the rotational direction, there are formed a first guide side surface 8b that is inclined so as to approach the second plate-shaped portion 6B toward the rear side in the rotational direction, and a first guide bottom surface 8c that is continuous with the first guide side surface 8b on the rotation axis C1 side and extends perpendicular to the first guide side surface 8b.

[0044] The second plate-shaped portion 6B has the same structure as the first plate-shaped portion 6A, and for convenience, the portion corresponding to the first angle-shaped portion 8A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A will be called the second angle-shaped portion 8B, the portion corresponding to the first claw portion 9A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A will be called the second claw portion 9B, and the portion corresponding to the first mounting surface 9a will be called the second mounting surface 9b. The other identical components will be given the same reference numerals, and only the different parts will be described.

[0045] The second plate-shaped portion 6B is rotated approximately 50 degrees relative to the first plate-shaped portion 6A in the counter-rotational direction around the rotation axis C1, and each linear guide surface 6a is flush with each first guide bottom surface 8c of the first plate-shaped portion 6A.

[0046] Furthermore, each second mountain-shaped portion 8B of the second plate-shaped portion 6B does not have a first guide side surface 8b and a first guide bottom surface 8c like the first mountain-shaped portion 8A, and the surface of each second mountain-shaped portion 8B facing the first plate-shaped portion 6A gently slopes away from the first plate-shaped portion 6A as it moves in the protruding direction.

[0047] The third plate-shaped portion 6C is approximately circular in shape with its center position coinciding with the rotation axis C1, and three arch-shaped portions 11 are provided at positions opposite each of the first mountain-shaped portions 8A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A, each extending in a direction away from the rotation axis C1.

[0048] That is, each arch-shaped portion 11 is shaped to protrude radially outward from the rotor 5. The protruding tip of each arch-shaped portion 11 is shaped like a curved surface extending in the direction of rotation, and is set to a width dimension that does not allow large-diameter kernels 10B to be placed thereon.

[0049] A second guide side surface 11b is provided on the first plate-shaped portion 6A side of the arcuate portion 11 in the rotational direction, the second guide side surface 11b being inclined so as to approach the first plate-shaped portion 6A toward the rear side in the rotational direction.

[0050] The region of the arch-shaped portion 11 forward of the second guide side surface 11b in the rotational direction is structured so that its thickness is approximately half that of the region rearward of the second guide side surface 11b in the rotational direction.

[0051] The gap G1 formed between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A and the arch-shaped portion 11 of the third plate-shaped portion 6C is set to a dimension that allows small-diameter grains 10A to pass through in the rotational direction during transport, but does not allow large-diameter grains 10B to pass through, as shown in Figures 5 and 8.

[0052] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the portion extending from the front portion in the rotational direction of the arch-shaped portion 11 to the middle portion, a second guide bottom surface 11c is formed extending perpendicular to the second guide side surface 11b, and the second guide bottom surface 11c is flush with the linear guide surface 6a of the second plate-shaped portion 6B.

[0053] A third claw portion 9C is provided at approximately the middle of the protruding tip of the arched portion 11, and has a third placement surface 9c that is configured with a surface that can place only one small diameter kernel 10A in the rotation direction during conveyance, and is designed with a surface that is too small for placing large diameter kernels 10B so that large diameter kernels 10B cannot be placed thereon. That is, the third claw portion 9C is provided continuously with the protruding tip of the arched portion 11, and is located slightly rearward in the rotation direction of the first claw portion 9A of the first angle-shaped portion 8A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A that faces the arched portion 11, as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0054] The first mountain-shaped portion 8A, the first claw portion 9A and the second claw portion 9B of the second plate-shaped portion 6B of the first plate-shaped portion 6A constitute the first conveying section 12 of the present invention, while the arch-shaped portion 11 facing the first mountain-shaped portion 8A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A in the third plate-shaped portion 6C constitutes the second conveying section 13 of the present invention, and the second claw portion 9B of the second plate-shaped portion 6B is located at a position spaced away from the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and at a position corresponding to the gap G1, rearward of the gap G1 in the rotational direction.

[0055] The second rotating unit 7 has the same structure as the first rotating unit 6, except that it is rotated 60 degrees relative to the first rotating unit 6 in the counter-rotational direction around the rotation axis C1, and for convenience, the portion corresponding to the first plate-shaped portion 6A of the first rotating unit 6 will be called the first plate-shaped portion 7A, the portion corresponding to the second plate-shaped portion 6B of the first rotating unit 6 will be called the second plate-shaped portion 7B, and the portion corresponding to the third plate-shaped portion 6C of the first rotating unit 6 will be called the third plate-shaped portion 7C. The same reference numerals will be used for other identical components, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0056] The first claws 9A, second claws 9B, and third claws 9C of the rotor 5 are all arranged offset in the rotation direction when viewed in the extension direction of the rotation axis C1. The positions of the gaps G1 in the first rotating unit 6 and the positions of the gaps G1 in the second rotating unit 7 are also all arranged offset in the rotation direction when viewed in the extension direction of the rotation axis C1.

[0057] The sweeper 40 is positioned above the rotating body 5 with its seat surface facing the rotation direction of the rotating body 5. The sweeper 40 has five slits extending from the middle to the lower end formed at equal intervals along the rotation axis C1, thereby providing six band-shaped regions, each of which is in contact with the first plate-shaped portion 6A, the second plate-shaped portion 6B, the third plate-shaped portion 6C, the first plate-shaped portion 7A, the second plate-shaped portion 7B and the third plate-shaped portion 7C of the rotating body 5 in an independently deflected state.

[0058] Then, when the small-diameter grains 10A are introduced into the storage space S1 through the grain inlet 2b while the rotor 5 is rotating, the small-diameter grains 10A are lifted by the first loading surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A, the second loading surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B, and the third loading surface 9c of the third claw portion 9C and transported sequentially along the rotation direction, as shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0059] In addition, when the large-diameter grains 10B are introduced into the storage space S1 through the grain inlet 2b while the rotor 5 is rotating, the large-diameter grains 10B are held in the gap G1 as shown in Figure 8, and are lifted up and transported sequentially along the rotation direction.

[0060] Each kernel 10 transported sequentially by the rotor 5 is supplied one by one between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b via a chute 5a extending diagonally downward, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0061] In particular, with regard to the transportation of small-diameter grains 10A, the sweeper 40 presses down the first plate-shaped portion 6A, the second plate-shaped portion 6B, the third plate-shaped portion 6C, the first plate-shaped portion 7A, the second plate-shaped portion 7B and the third plate-shaped portion 7C independently from above with elastic force, so that each small-diameter grain placed on the first loading surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A, the second loading surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B and the third loading surface 9c of the third claw portion 9C is transported one by one in a stable state when transported in the upper area of ​​the rotating body 5 and supplied between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b.

[0062] A control panel 14 that controls the moisture detection unit 3 and the grain feeding unit 4 is connected to the moisture detection unit 3 and the grain feeding unit 4.

[0063] The control panel 14 has a detection unit 14a capable of detecting the resistance value between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b. This detection unit 14a detects the resistance value between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b when the grains 10 supplied from the grain feeding unit 4 pass between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b, which rotate in opposite directions, and are clamped and crushed, and converts the moisture content of the grains 10 from the resistance value.

[0064] The moisture detector 3 is capable of detecting the moisture content of both the small-diameter kernels 10A and the large-diameter kernels 10B.

[0065] Next, detection of the moisture content of the small-diameter grains 10A using the moisture meter 1 will be described in detail.

[0066] When small-diameter grains 10A are dried in a circulating dryer, the small-diameter grains 10A flowing downward through the grain passage are introduced little by little into the storage space S1 inside the main body case 2 from the grain inlet 2b of the main body case 2, as shown in Figure 2.

[0067] Each small-diameter grain 10A introduced into the storage space S1 is placed one by one on the first placement surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A, the second placement surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B, and the third placement surface 9c of the third claw portion 9C of the rotor 5 of the grain feeder 4, and is transported sequentially along the rotation direction while being lifted. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, among the small-diameter grains 10A located near the first plate-shaped portion 6A of the rotor 5, some are guided by the linear guide surface 6a and placed on the first placement surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A of the first plate-shaped portion 6A, while others pass by the side of the first placement surface 9a and fall below the rotor 5 without being placed on the first placement surface 9a. The small-diameter grains 10A that fall from the linear guide surface 6a of the first plate-shaped portion 6A are guided by the first guide side surface 8b, for example, and move to the linear guide surface 6a of the second plate-shaped portion 6B.

[0068] For example, among the small-diameter grains 10A located near the second plate-shaped portion 6B of the rotor 5, some are guided by the linear guide surface 6a of the second plate-shaped portion 6B and pass through the gap G1, and then some are placed on the second placement surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B of the second plate-shaped portion 6B, while others do not place on the second placement surface 9b and fall directly below the rotor 5. For example, among the small-diameter grains 10A located near the third plate-shaped portion 6C of the rotor 5, some are guided by the protruding tip portion of the arch-shaped portion 11 and place on the third placement surface 9c of the third claw portion 9C of the third plate-shaped portion 6C, while others do not place on the third placement surface 9c and pass by its side and fall below the rotor 5. The small-diameter grains 10A that have fallen from the protruding tip portion of the arch-shaped portion 11 are guided by the second guide side surface 11b, for example, and move to the linear guide surface 6a of the second plate-shaped portion 6B.

[0069] Each small-diameter grain 10A transported by each of the first claw portion 9A, the second claw portion 9B, and the third claw portion 9C of the rotating body 5 is supplied one by one to the downstream side of the device through a chute 5a, as shown in Figure 2.

[0070] The small grains 10A that have passed through the shooter 5a are fed between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b, which rotate in opposite directions. The small grains 10A are then pinched between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b and crushed, and the moisture content of the small grains 10A can be calculated from the resistance value detected by the detection unit 14a during crushing.

[0071] Next, detection of the moisture content of the large-diameter kernels 10B using the moisture meter 1 will be described in detail.

[0072] When the large grains 10B are dried in the circulation dryer, the large grains 10B flowing downward in the grain passage are introduced little by little into the storage space S1 inside the main case 2 from the grain introduction port 2b of the main case 2.

[0073] Each large-diameter grain 10B introduced into the storage space S1 is lifted while being held in the gap G1 of the rotor 5 in the grain feeder 4 and transported one by one along the rotation direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the first placement surface 9a of the first claw 9A, the second placement surface 9b of the second claw 9B, and the third placement surface 9c of the third claw 9C are small, so that each large-diameter grain 10B cannot be placed on the first placement surface 9a of the first claw 9A, the second placement surface 9b of the second claw 9B, and the third placement surface 9c of the third claw 9C, and passes by the side of each of the first claw 9A, the second claw 9B, and the third claw 9C. The large-diameter grains 10B near the second plate-shaped portion 6B move while being guided by the linear guide surface 6a of the second plate-shaped portion 6B, and cannot pass between the first guide side surface 8b of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the second guide side surface 11b of the bow-shaped portion 11, but are held and sandwiched in the gap G1 and transported along the rotation direction. The large-diameter grains 10B that are not sandwiched between the first guide side surface 8b and the second guide side surface 11b fall below the rotor 5. When two large-diameter grains 10B overlap each other in the radial direction of the rotor 5 and start to be held and transported between the first guide side surface 8b and the second guide side surface 11b, the sweeper 40 uses its elastic force to sweep away the large-diameter grains 10B located on the radial outside of the rotor 5 from that location, so that only one large-diameter grain 10B remains sandwiched between the first guide side surface 8b and the second guide side surface 11b.

[0074] The large-diameter kernels 10B conveyed while being sandwiched between the gaps G1 of the rotors 5 are supplied one by one to the downstream side of the device via a shooter 5a, as shown in FIG.

[0075] The large grains 10B that have passed through the shooter 5a are fed between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b, which rotate in opposite directions. The large grains 10B are then pinched between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b and crushed, and the moisture content of the large grains 10B can be calculated from the resistance value detected by the detection unit 14a during crushing.

[0076] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when small diameter grains 10A are fed into the grain feeder 4, the small diameter grains 10A are placed one by one on the first placement surface 9a and the second placement surface 9b of the first conveying section 12 of the rotor 5 and are sequentially conveyed in the rotation direction. On the other hand, the small diameter grains 10A that are not placed on the first placement surface 9a and the second placement surface 9b pass through the gap G1 provided between the first conveying section 12 and the second conveying section 13, for example, and then fall below the rotor 5 and are not conveyed toward the moisture detection section 3. In this way, the small diameter grains 10A can be supplied one by one to the moisture detection section 3. On the other hand, when large-diameter grains 10B are fed into the grain feeder 4, the large-diameter grains 10B cannot land on the first mountain-shaped portion 8A or the arch-shaped portion 11 of the rotor 5 and pass by the side of them, but cannot pass between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arch-shaped portion 11 and become caught. Therefore, the large-diameter grains 10B are conveyed in the rotation direction while being held so as to straddle the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arch-shaped portion 11, and are supplied one by one to the moisture detection unit 3. In this way, even if grains 10 of different particle sizes are fed into the grain feeder 4, they can be supplied one by one to the moisture detection unit 3, and there is no need to change the structure of the grain feeder 4 according to the grains 10 of different particle sizes, so that the moisture detection work of the grains 10 by the worker is simple. In addition, there is no need to manufacture the rotor 5 for each particle size, so the moisture meter 1 can be made low-cost.

[0077] In addition, since the second claw portion 9B is provided at a position corresponding to the gap G1 at a position rearward of the gap G1 in the rotational direction, after the small-diameter grains 10A fed into the grain feeding section 4 pass through the gap G1, they are placed on the second placement surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B without falling below the rotor 5. In this way, the grains 10 passing near the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the bow-shaped portion 11 are less likely to fall below the rotor 5, and each small-diameter grain 10A fed into the grain feeding section 4 can be efficiently supplied to the rotation unit 31.

[0078] In addition, since a first guide side surface 8b is formed on the arched portion 11 side of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A, when large diameter grains 10B are fed into the grain feeding section 4, the large diameter grains 10B passing by the side of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A are guided by the first guide side surface 8b and gradually approach the arched portion 11, and are caught and held between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arched portion 11. In this way, the large diameter grains 10B passing by the first mountain-shaped portion 8A can be smoothly held between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arched portion 11.

[0079] In addition, since a second guide side surface 11b is formed on the first mountain-shaped portion 8A side of the arched portion 11, when large diameter grains 10B are fed into the grain feeding section 4, the large diameter grains 10B passing by the side of the arched portion 11 are guided by the second guide side surface 11b and gradually approach the first mountain-shaped portion 8A, and are caught and held between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arched portion 11. In this way, the large diameter grains 10B passing by the arched portion 11 can be smoothly held between the first mountain-shaped portion 8A and the arched portion 11.

[0080] In addition, since the third claw portion 9C is provided continuous with the protruding tip portion of the arched portion 11 of the rotor 5, the small diameter grains 10A can be transported by utilizing the space around the protruding tip portion of the arched portion 11 of the rotor 5. Therefore, the rotor 5 can be made compact in shape while increasing the efficiency of supplying the small diameter grains 10A to the rotation unit 31.

[0081] In addition, since the first claw portion 9A is provided continuous with the protruding tip portion of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A of the rotor 5, the small-diameter grains 10A can be transported by utilizing the space around the protruding tip portion of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A of the rotor 5. This makes it possible to further increase the efficiency of supplying the small-diameter grains 10A to the rotation unit 31 without increasing the size of the rotor 5 as a whole.

[0082] In addition, since the first mounting surface 9a of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A has a protruding portion 8a protruding forward in the direction of rotation at a portion continuous with the rotation axis C1 side, when the small-diameter grains 10A approach the rotor 5, the protruding portion 8a gets in the way and the small-diameter grains 10A are prevented from being placed on any portion of the first mountain-shaped portion 8A other than the first mounting surface 9a. This makes it possible to prevent multiple small-diameter grains 10A from being placed on the first mounting surface 9a, and ensures that the small-diameter grains 10A are supplied to the rotation unit 31 one by one.

[0083] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the first claw portion 9A, the second claw portion 9B, and the third claw portion 9C may not be currently positioned as long as they are all shifted in the rotation direction as viewed in the extension direction of the rotation axis C1. The positions of the gaps G1 may also not be currently positioned as long as they are all shifted in the rotation direction as viewed in the extension direction of the rotation axis C1.

[0084] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the first guide side surface 8b formed on the first mountain-shaped portion 8A has an inclined extending shape, but it may have a curved extending shape as long as it can guide the kernels 10.

[0085] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the second guide side surface 11b formed on the arch-shaped portion 11 is shaped to extend at an incline, but it may be shaped to extend in a curved manner as long as it can guide the kernels 10.

[0086] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting surface 9a of the first claw portion 9A, the second mounting surface 9b of the second claw portion 9B, and the third mounting surface 9c of the third claw portion 9C each have a flat shape, but may have, for example, a gently recessed concave shape.

[0087] Furthermore, the area constituting the first mountain-shaped portion 8A in Example 1 of the present invention may be of any other shape, so long as it is impossible for small diameter grains 10A to be placed thereon during transport and a gap G1 is set between it and the arch-shaped portion 11, and may be, for example, a block-shaped or rod-shaped structural part protruding radially from the rotating body 5. EXAMPLES

[0088] 9 shows the rotor 5 of the moisture meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the structure of the rotor 5 is different from that of the first embodiment, so the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the different parts will be described.

[0089] The rotating body 5 of the second embodiment includes a first rotating unit 60, a second rotating unit 70, and a third rotating unit 80 arranged side by side along a rotation axis C1.

[0090] The first rotating unit 60 is made up of a first plate-shaped portion 60A and a second plate-shaped portion 60B, which are positioned in this order from the shaft portion Sh side.

[0091] The first plate-shaped portion 60A comprises a first disk-shaped main body portion 15 having a thickness whose center position coincides with the rotation axis C1, and a first rod-shaped portion 16 (first conveying portion) and a second rod-shaped portion 17 (second conveying portion) which extend in straight lines in the tangential direction of the first disk-shaped main body portion 15 from positions on opposite sides of the rotation axis C1 at the outer peripheral edge portion of the first disk-shaped main body portion 15, and extend in opposite directions to each other, and the first rod-shaped portion 16 and the second rod-shaped portion 17 are positioned point-symmetrically about the rotation axis C1.

[0092] The first rod-shaped portion 16 has a cross-section perpendicular to its extension direction that is approximately rectangular, and a rectangular support surface 16a extending along the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped portion 16 is provided on the front side of the first rod-shaped portion 16 in the rotational direction.

[0093] The placement surface 16a is configured so that small diameter kernels 10A can be placed thereon in the rotation direction during transport, but is designed so that large diameter kernels 10B cannot be placed thereon.

[0094] The second rod-shaped portion 17 has a substantially triangular cross section perpendicular to its extension direction, and the thickness of the second rod-shaped portion 17 gradually decreases toward the front in the direction of rotation. That is, the front portion of the second rod-shaped portion 17 in the direction of rotation is designed so that small-diameter kernels 10A and large-diameter kernels 10B cannot be placed thereon.

[0095] The second rod-shaped portion 17 is formed on the second rotating unit 70 side with a first inclined surface 17a (second guide side surface) that is inclined so as to approach the second rotating unit 70 toward the rear side in the rotational direction.

[0096] The second plate-shaped portion 60B comprises a second disk-shaped main body portion 18 having a thickness whose center position coincides with the rotation axis C1, and a third rod-shaped portion 19 (first conveying portion) and a fourth rod-shaped portion 20 (second conveying portion) which extend in straight lines in the tangential direction of the second disk-shaped main body portion 18 from positions on opposite sides of the rotation axis C1 at the outer peripheral edge portion of the second disk-shaped main body portion 18, and extend in opposite directions to each other, and the third rod-shaped portion 19 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 20 are positioned point-symmetrically about the rotation axis C1.

[0097] The third rod-shaped portion 19 is arranged next to the second rod-shaped portion 17 with a gap G2 therebetween, while the fourth rod-shaped portion 20 is arranged next to the first rod-shaped portion 16 with a gap G2 therebetween, and each gap G2 is set to a dimension that allows small diameter grains 10A to pass through in the rotational direction during transport, but does not allow large diameter grains 10B to pass through.

[0098] The third rod-shaped portion 19 has a cross-section perpendicular to its extension direction that is approximately rectangular, and a rectangular support surface 19a extending along the longitudinal direction of the third rod-shaped portion 19 is provided on the front side of the third rod-shaped portion 19 in the rotational direction.

[0099] The placement surface 19a is configured so that small diameter kernels 10A can be placed thereon in the rotation direction during transport, but is designed so that large diameter kernels 10B cannot be placed thereon.

[0100] The fourth rod-shaped portion 20 has a substantially triangular cross section and is gradually thinner toward the front in the direction of rotation. That is, the front portion of the fourth rod-shaped portion 20 in the direction of rotation is designed so that the small diameter kernels 10A and the large diameter kernels 10B cannot be placed thereon.

[0101] The fourth rod-shaped portion 20 has a second inclined surface 20a (second guide side surface) formed on the first plate-shaped portion 60A side, the second inclined surface 20a being inclined so as to approach the first plate-shaped portion 60A toward the rear side in the rotational direction.

[0102] The second rotating unit 70 has the same structure as the first rotating unit 60, except that it is rotated 60 degrees in the rotational direction relative to the first rotating unit 60 around the rotational axis C1, and the third rotating unit 80 has the same structure as the first rotating unit 60, except that it is rotated 60 degrees in the counter-rotational direction relative to the first rotating unit 60 around the rotational axis C1. Therefore, the same symbols are used for the same components and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0103] Then, when the small diameter grains 10A are introduced into the storage space S1 through the grain inlet 2b while the rotor 5 is rotating, each small diameter grain 10A is placed on the mounting surface 16a of each first rod-shaped portion 16 and the mounting surface 19a of each third rod-shaped portion 19 and lifted up, and is transported sequentially along the rotation direction.

[0104] In addition, when the large diameter grains 10B are introduced into the storage space S1 through the grain inlet 2b while the rotor 5 is rotating, each large diameter grain 10B is lifted up while being held in the gap G1 and transported sequentially along the rotation direction.

[0105] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the small-diameter kernels 10A or the large-diameter kernels 10B can be supplied one by one to the moisture detection unit 3 by using the rotor 5 having a simpler structure than that of the first embodiment.

[0106] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first rod-shaped portion 16 and the third rod-shaped portion 19 have a rectangular cross-section, but as long as a supporting surface 16a or a supporting surface 19a capable of supporting small-diameter kernels 10A can be formed, the cross-section may be square or trapezoidal.

[0107] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the second rod-shaped portion 17 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 20 have a triangular cross section, but this is not limiting and may be, for example, a circular or elliptical cross section.

[0108] In addition, in Example 2 of the present invention, the first inclined surface 17a is formed on the second rod-shaped portion 17, and the second inclined surface 20a is formed on the fourth rod-shaped portion 20, but the surface shape may be curved and extended as long as it can guide the kernels 10 toward the first rod-shaped portion 16 side or the third rod-shaped portion 19 side.

[0109] Furthermore, in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention, the detection unit 14a of the control panel 14 detects the resistance value between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b and obtains the moisture content value of the grains 10 by conversion, but this is not limited to the above. The detection unit 14a may detect the voltage value between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b and obtain the moisture content value of the grains 10 by conversion, or may detect the current value between the first electrode roll 31a and the second electrode roll 31b and obtain the moisture content value of the grains 10 by conversion, or may detect at least one of the values ​​of the current, voltage, and resistance and obtain the moisture content value of the grains 10 by conversion. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] The present invention is suitable for a moisture meter capable of measuring the moisture content of grains to be dried in a dryer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1...Moisture meter 2...Main body case 2a...Transparent cover 2b...Grain inlet 3...Moisture detection section 4...Grain feed section 5...Rotating body 5a...Shooter 6...First rotating unit 6A...First plate-shaped section 6B...Second plate-shaped section 6C...Third plate-shaped section 6a...Straight guide surface 7...Second rotating unit 7A...First plate-shaped section 7B...Second plate-shaped section 7C...Third plate-shaped section 8A...First mountain-shaped section (wall section for clamping grains) 8B...Second mountain-shaped section 8C...Third mountain-shaped section 8a...Protruding section 8b...First guide side surface 8c...First guide bottom surface 9A...First claw section 9B...Second claw section 9C...Third claw section 9a...First placement surface 9b...Second placement surface 9c...Third placement surface 10...Grain DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A...small diameter grain 10B...large diameter grain 11...bow-shaped portion 11b...second guide side surface 11c...second guide bottom surface 12...first conveying section 13...second conveying section 14...control panel 14a...detection section 15...first disk-shaped main body 16...first rod-shaped portion (first conveying section) 16a...mounting surface 17...second rod-shaped portion (second conveying section) 17a...first inclined surface (second guide side surface) 18...second disk-shaped main body 19...third rod-shaped portion (first conveying section) 19a...mounting surface 20...fourth rod-shaped portion (second conveying section) 20a...second inclined surface (second guide side surface) 31...rotation unit 31a...first electrode roll 31b...second electrode roll 32...drive motor 33...gear box 34...first scraper 35...First brush 36...Second scraper 37...Second brush 40...Sweeper 60...First rotating unit 60A...First plate-shaped portion 60B...Second plate-shaped portion 70...Second rotating unit 80...Third rotating unit C1...Rotation axis G1...Gap G2...Gap S1...Storage space

Claims

1. The present invention is provided with a moisture detection unit capable of detecting the moisture content of both small-diameter grains and large-diameter grains having a grain size larger than that of the small-diameter grains, and a grain supply unit capable of supplying the small-diameter grains or the large-diameter grains one by one to the moisture detection unit, The grain supply unit has a rotating body whose rotation axis extends horizontally and which sequentially transports the small-diameter grains or the large-diameter grains along the rotation direction while lifting them by rotating, The moisture meter is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is provided with a first conveying section having a mounting surface on which only one small-diameter grain can be placed in the rotational direction during transport, and on which the large-diameter grains cannot be placed, and a second conveying section configured so that the large-diameter grains cannot be placed, and a gap is set between the first conveying section and the second conveying section, through which the small-diameter grains can pass in the rotational direction during transport, but through which the large-diameter grains cannot pass.

2. 2. The moisture meter according to claim 1, A moisture meter characterized in that a first guide side surface is formed on the second transport section side of the first transport section, the first guide side surface being inclined or curved so as to approach the second transport section as it approaches the rear side in the direction of rotation.

3. The moisture meter according to claim 1 or 2, A moisture meter characterized in that a second guide side surface is formed on the first transport section side of the second transport section, the second guide side surface being inclined or curved so as to approach the first transport section as it approaches the rear side in the direction of rotation.

4. 2. The moisture meter according to claim 1, The first conveying section includes at least one of a first claw portion and a second claw portion each having the placement surface described above, and a grain clamping wall portion that is shaped to protrude radially outward of the rotor, the gap is set between the first conveying section and the second conveying section, and is capable of clamping the large-diameter grains between the first conveying section and the second conveying section. The first claw portion is provided continuously with the protruding tip portion of the grain clamping wall portion, A moisture meter characterized in that the second claw portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the grain clamping wall portion and at a position corresponding to the gap, rearward of the gap in the rotational direction.

5. The moisture meter according to claim 4, The second conveying portion has a shape that protrudes radially outward from the rotating body, A moisture meter comprising: a third claw portion having the placement surface and provided contiguous with a protruding tip portion of the second transport portion.

6. 2. The moisture meter according to claim 1, The moisture meter according to claim 1, wherein a protruding portion that protrudes forward in a rotation direction is provided at a portion of the placement surface of the first transport section that is continuous with the rotation axis side.

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