Apparatus for preparing root vegetables

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of stagnation of root vegetables in an apparatus.SOLUTION: A root vegetable preparation device 100 includes a frame, a plurality of smoothing rollers 32 and helical rollers 42 which are provided between a supply port and a discharge port of the frame, respectively have shaft members 3444 and extending in a Y-axis direction, and are arranged along an X-axis direction, and a driving device which rotates the plurality of smoothing rollers 32 and helical rollers 42 to prepare set balls and convey them in a + X direction. In the root vegetable preparation apparatus 100, the difference between the diameter of the smoothing roller 32 and the diameter of the helical roller 42 of the set (first set) on the front side (- X side) in the conveying direction is larger than the difference between the diameter of the smoothing roller 32 and the diameter of the helical roller 42 of the adjacent set (second set) on the rear side in the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a root vegetable preparation device. [Background technology]

[0002] When root vegetables are harvested, they may have stems, leaves, roots, soil, sand, and other adhering matter attached to them, and preparation may be necessary. In addition to harvested crops, preparation is also required for set bulbs (small onion bulbs about 2 cm in diameter) that are planted in the field in set onion cultivation systems, so that the stems, leaves, roots, etc. do not get in the way of various transplanters (vacuum transplanters, belt conveyor transplanters, spoon transplanters, etc.).

[0003] Conventionally, onion and garlic preparation machines (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) have been known, and overseas, green onion preparation machines (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1) have been put to practical use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-65452 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-116511 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] internet<URL:https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=7ASXDo8Xbbo> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The green onion preparation machine in Non-Patent Document 1 has a large number of rod-shaped bodies (such as smooth rollers or spiral rollers with spiral blades) that extend in a direction that intersects with the direction of travel of the object (green onion) and are arranged along the direction of travel, and as the rod-shaped bodies rotate, the object is transported in the direction of travel while being prepared.

[0007] In such a preparation machine, prepared or in-process preparation objects tend to accumulate toward the rear of the machine, which can make it difficult to transport the objects within the machine or to discharge the objects from the machine. Therefore, the operator must manually move the objects in the direction of travel to eliminate the accumulation of objects.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a root vegetable preparation device that can prevent root vegetables from becoming trapped inside the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first root vegetable preparation device of the present invention is a root vegetable preparation device that removes objects to be removed, including at least one of stems and leaves, roots, and attachments, from root vegetables to prepare the root vegetables, and includes a preparation device main body having a supply inlet through which the root vegetables are supplied and a discharge outlet through which the root vegetables are discharged a predetermined distance from the supply inlet to one side in a first direction; a plurality of rod-shaped bodies arranged along the first direction, each of which has a rotation axis extending in a second direction in a horizontal plane intersecting the first direction, and a drive device that rotates each of the plurality of rod-shaped bodies around the rotation axis to transport the root vegetables above the plurality of rod-shaped bodies; The plurality of rod-shaped bodies include a plurality of pairs of a first rod-shaped body that rotates in a first rotational direction, which is a direction that sends the root vegetables to one side of the first direction, and a second rod-shaped body that is adjacent to one side of the first rod-shaped body in the first direction and rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and in each of the plurality of pairs, the object to be removed is removed from the root vegetables by the rotation of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body, and the difference between the diameters of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body in each of the plurality of pairs is equal to or greater than the difference in the pair adjacent to one side of each pair in the first direction, and the difference in the pair closest to the supply port is greater than the difference in the pair closest to the discharge port.

[0010] The second root vegetable preparing device of the present invention is a root vegetable preparing device that removes from root vegetables objects to be removed, including at least one of stems and leaves, roots, and attached matter, and prepares the root vegetables, and is equipped with a preparing device main body having a supply inlet through which the root vegetables are supplied and a discharge outlet through which the root vegetables are discharged a predetermined distance away from the supply inlet on one side in a first direction, a plurality of rod-shaped bodies that are arranged along the first direction and each have a rotation axis extending in a second direction in a horizontal plane that intersects with the first direction, and a drive device that rotates each of the plurality of rod-shaped bodies around the rotation axis to transport the root vegetables above the plurality of rod-shaped bodies, the plurality of rod-shaped bodies include a plurality of pairs of a first rod-shaped body that rotates in a first rotational direction, which is a direction that sends the root vegetables to one side in the first direction, and a second rod-shaped body that is adjacent to one side of the first rod-shaped body in the first direction and rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, in each of the plurality of pairs, the object to be removed from the root vegetables is removed by the rotation of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body, the rotational speed of each of the first rod-shaped bodies included in the plurality of rod-shaped bodies is equal to or less than the rotational speed of the first rod-shaped body adjacent to each first rod-shaped body on one side in the first direction, and the rotational speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the supply port is less than the rotational speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the discharge port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The root vegetable preparation device of the present invention has the effect of preventing root vegetables from becoming stuck inside the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a side view of the root vegetable preparing device, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the root vegetable preparing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the roller group as viewed from above (from the +Z direction). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the smoothing roller mechanism. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the sprocket of the smoothing roller mechanism as viewed from the +Y direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the sprocket of the spiral roller mechanism as viewed from the −Y direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the smooth rollers of the smooth roller mechanisms and the spiral rollers of the spiral roller mechanisms as viewed from the −Y direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a modified example. [Figure 8] 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams (part 2) for explaining a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0014] In Europe and other regions, a cultivation method (set cultivation system) is sometimes adopted in which small bulbs (set bulbs) about 2 cm in diameter are planted in the field when cultivating onions, and recently, the use of set cultivation systems in onion cultivation in Japan has also been considered. If a set cultivation system suited to the Japanese environment can be established, it is expected that it will reduce labor, stabilize productivity, and expand the scale of production.

[0015] In a set cultivation system, onion farmers are likely to use a transplanter such as a vacuum transplanter, a belt conveyor type transplanter, or a spoon type transplanter when planting set bulbs in a field. In this case, it is preferable to prepare the set bulbs in advance to prevent stems, leaves, roots, soil, etc. from clogging the transplanter and causing malfunctions.

[0016] In this embodiment, a root vegetable preparation device 100 as shown in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) is used to perform preparation processes such as removing soil from set bulbs and removing stems, leaves, roots, and epidermis.

[0017] The root vegetable preparing apparatus 100 will be described in detail below.

[0018] Fig. 1(a) shows a side view of the root vegetable preparation apparatus 100, and Fig. 1(b) shows a plan view of the root vegetable preparation apparatus 100. In Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b), two orthogonal axial directions in a horizontal plane are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane (vertical direction) is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0019] The root vegetable preparing device 100 comprises a frame 10 as the main body of the preparing device, a plurality of frame legs 12, a supply port member 14, and a discharge port member 16.

[0020] The frame 10 has side walls 102A, 102B and a bottom wall 104 provided to connect the lower ends of the side walls 102A, 102B (see FIG. 1(b) for the side wall 102B). An opening 110 penetrating in the Z-axis direction is formed near the center of the bottom wall 104. A roller group 20 is provided in the space surrounded by the side walls 102A, 102B and the bottom wall 104, and drive devices 30A, 30B for driving the roller group 20 are provided on the side walls 102A, 102B (see FIG. 1(b) for the drive device 30B).

[0021] The frame legs 12, of which there are, for example, four, support the frame 10 above the ground G. Below the frame 10 supported by the frame legs 12 (above the ground G), there is provided a removal object collection box 18 for collecting removal objects (soil, stems and leaves, roots, epidermis, etc.) removed from the set ball by the roller group 20.

[0022] The supply port member 14 is a slide-shaped member provided on one side (-X side) of the frame 10. The end of the supply port member 14 on the +X side is in close proximity to the roller located closest to the -X side among the rollers included in the roller group 20.

[0023] Discharge outlet member 16 is a slide-shaped member provided on the other side (+X side) of frame 10. The -X side end of discharge outlet member 16 is in close proximity to the roller located closest to the +X side among the multiple rollers included in roller group 20. A set ball recovery box 19 is provided near the +X side end of discharge outlet member 16 to recover set balls after preparation (after removal of the object to be removed).

[0024] In this embodiment, unprepared set balls are supplied to supply port member 14, and the supplied set balls roll or slide down supply port member 14 to be supplied to roller group 20. In roller group 20, the set balls are transported in the +X direction while undergoing a process of removing objects to be removed (preparation process), and the prepared set balls roll or slide down discharge port member 16 to be collected in set ball collection box 19. That is, in this embodiment, the position where the set balls are supplied from supply port member 14 to roller group 20 (a position near the +X end of supply port member 14) can be said to be the set ball supply port, and the position where the set balls are supplied from roller group 20 to discharge port member 16 (a position near the -X end of discharge port member 16) can be said to be the set ball supply port, and the position where the set balls are supplied from roller group 20 to discharge port member 16 (a position near the -X end of discharge port member 16) can be said to be the set ball discharge port. Furthermore, the direction in which the supply port and discharge port are aligned is the first direction, and the position where the discharge port is located can be said to be one side of the supply port in the first direction. Furthermore, the conveying direction (+X direction) of the set balls by the roller group 20 can be said to be a direction toward one side of the first direction.

[0025] (Regarding roller group 20) Next, the roller group 20 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the roller group 20 as viewed from above (from the +Z direction). In this embodiment, the roller group 20 includes three smooth roller mechanisms 22A, 22B, and 22C and two spiral roller mechanisms 24A and 24B. The smooth roller mechanisms and the spiral roller mechanisms are arranged alternately along the X-axis direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, which is an oblique view of the smoothing roller mechanism 22A, the smoothing roller mechanism 22A has a cylindrical (rod-shaped) smoothing roller 32 extending in the Y-axis direction (second direction), a shaft member 34 arranged to pass through the center of the smoothing roller 32, bearing members 36A and 36B that hold the vicinity of both ends of the shaft member 34 (near the ends on the -Y side and +Y side), and a sprocket 38A arranged at the end on the +Y side of the shaft member 34.

[0027] The smoothing roller 32 is a rigid cylindrical member (first rod-shaped body) whose longitudinal direction is in the Y-axis direction, and its outer peripheral surface is smooth.

[0028] The shaft member 34 has its longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction, and both ends in the Y-axis direction protrude from the −Y end face and +Y end face of the smoothing roller 32.

[0029] The bearing members 36A and 36B are fixed onto the bottom wall 104 of the frame 10, and rotatably hold the shaft member 34 via bearings (not shown). That is, the smoothing roller 32 is rotatable around the Y axis.

[0030] Sprocket 38A has a first diameter (diameter) φ1 (see FIG. 4), and its outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth the number of which corresponds to first diameter φ1.

[0031] The other smoothing roller mechanisms 22B and 22C have the same configuration as the smoothing roller mechanism 22A. The sprocket 38B of the smoothing roller mechanism 22B has a second diameter φ2 (see FIG. 4), and its outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth in a number corresponding to the second diameter φ2. The second diameter φ2 is equal to or smaller than the first diameter φ1 (φ2≦φ1). The sprocket 38C of the smoothing roller mechanism 22C has a third diameter φ3 (see FIG. 4), and its outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth in a number corresponding to the third diameter φ3. The third diameter φ3 is equal to or smaller than the second diameter φ2 (φ3≦φ2) and smaller than the first diameter φ1 (φ3<φ1).

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the sprockets 38A-38C of the smoothing roller mechanisms 22A-22C as viewed from the +Y direction. A chain 50B serving as a transmission member is meshed with the sprockets 38A-38C of the smoothing roller mechanisms 22A-22C. The chain 50B is also meshed with a sprocket 52B connected to a rotating shaft of a motor of the driving device 30B. Therefore, when the motor of the driving device 30B rotates in the direction of arrow MAR1, the sprockets 38A-38C rotate in the direction of arrow AR1 (first rotation direction). Here, the third diameter φ3 is smaller than the first diameter φ1, and the number of teeth of the sprocket 38C is smaller than the number of teeth of the sprocket 38A. As a result, the rotation speed of the sprocket 38C is faster than that of the sprocket 38A. If the second diameter φ2 is smaller than the first diameter φ1 and larger than the third diameter φ3 (φ1>φ2>φ3), the number of teeth of sprocket 38B will be smaller than the number of teeth of sprocket 38A and larger than the number of teeth of sprocket 38C. Therefore, in this case, the rotational speed of sprocket 38B will be faster than that of sprocket 38A but slower than that of sprocket 38C. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that φ1>φ2=φ3, the rotational speed of sprocket 38A is "slow," and the rotational speeds of sprockets 38B and 38C are "fast."

[0033] Returning to Figure 2, the spiral roller mechanism 24A has a cylindrical (rod-shaped) spiral roller 42 extending in the Y-axis direction, an axis member 44 arranged to pass through the center of the spiral roller 42, bearing members 46A and 46B that hold the vicinity of both ends of the axis member 44 (near the ends on the -Y side and +Y side), and a sprocket 48A arranged at the end on the -Y side of the axis member 44.

[0034] The spiral roller 42 is a rigid columnar member whose longitudinal direction is in the Y-axis direction, and is a bladed roller (second rod-shaped body) having a spiral ridge (blade portion) 43 provided on its outer circumferential surface over the entire axial direction. The spiral ridge 43 is formed by spirally winding and fixing a rigid linear member (e.g., steel or annealed iron wire) having a thickness of, for example, about 2 to 4 mm around the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member. The number of spiral ridges 43 may be one or more. Note that the outer circumferential surface of the spiral roller 42 is close to the outer circumferential surface of the smooth roller 32 on the -X side, but the spiral ridge 43 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the smooth roller 32 on the -X side.

[0035] The shaft member 44 is similar to the shaft member 34. Furthermore, the bearing members 46A and 46B are similar to the bearing members 36A and 36B.

[0036] Sprocket 48A has a fourth diameter (diameter) φ4 (see FIG. 5), and its outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth the number of which corresponds to fourth diameter φ4.

[0037] Spiral roller mechanism 24B has the same configuration as spiral roller mechanism 24A. Sprocket 48B of spiral roller mechanism 24B has a fifth diameter (diameter) φ5 (see FIG. 5), and its outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth the number of which corresponds to the fifth diameter φ5. In this embodiment, the fourth diameter φ4 and the fifth diameter φ5 are the same, and the fourth and fifth diameters φ4 and φ5 are the same as the first diameter φ1.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows sprockets 48A and 48B of spiral roller mechanisms 24A and 24B as viewed from the -Y direction. Chain 50A, serving as a transmission member, meshes with sprockets 48A and 48B of spiral roller mechanisms 24A and 24B. Chain 50A also meshes with sprocket 52A, which is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of drive unit 30A. Therefore, when the motor of drive unit 30A rotates in the direction of arrow MAR2, sprockets 38A-38C rotate in the direction of arrow AR2 (second rotation direction). As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 4, the direction of arrow AR2 is opposite to the direction of arrow AR1. Because the fourth diameter φ4 and the fifth diameter φ5 are the same, the number of teeth of sprocket 48A and the number of teeth of sprocket 48B are the same. Therefore, sprockets 48A and 48B rotate at the same speed. When the motors of the driving devices 30A and 30B have the same rotation speed, the rotation speeds of the sprockets 48A, 48B, and 38A are the same.

[0039] 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the smooth roller 32 of each of the smooth roller mechanisms 22A to 22C and the spiral roller 42 of each of the spiral roller mechanisms 24A and 24B as viewed from the -Y direction. The roller group 20 of this embodiment has two pairs (first and second pairs) of adjacent smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42.

[0040] In this embodiment, as an example, the radius of the smooth rollers 32 is set to be larger toward the -X side and smaller toward the +X side. Also, the two spiral rollers 42 are set to have the same radius. That is, the radius difference H1 between the smooth roller 32 and the spiral roller 42 in the first set located on the front side in the conveying direction is larger than the radius difference H2 between the smooth roller 32 and the spiral roller 42 in the second set located on the rear side in the conveying direction.

[0041] 2, in the first and second sets, the rotation direction of the smooth roller 32 is the direction in which the set balls are transported in the +X direction (the direction of arrow AR1), and the rotation direction of the spiral roller 42 is the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the smooth roller mechanisms 22A and 22B (the direction of arrow AR2). As a result, the stems, leaves, roots, epidermis, and soil adhering to the set balls (objects to be removed) are drawn between the smooth roller 32 and the spiral roller 42 of each set, and the stems, leaves, and roots caught between the spiral ridge 43 of the spiral roller 42 and the outer surface of the smooth roller 32 are cut, and the epidermis and soil are removed. The removed stems, leaves, roots, epidermis, and soil (objects to be removed) fall downward and are collected in the removal object collection box 18. Meanwhile, the prepared set balls are gradually transported in the +X direction on the roller group 20 and roll or slide down the discharge outlet member 16 to be collected in the set ball collection box 19.

[0042] Here, the set balls are gradually transported in the +X direction while being prepared, but in order to efficiently prepare and transport the set balls, it is necessary to prevent the prepared set balls from accumulating on the roller group 20. In particular, it is preferable to prevent accumulating toward the rear of the transport direction (+X side) where there are more prepared set balls.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, for the smoothing rollers 32 that rotate in the direction of conveying the set balls, the rotation speed of the smoothing rollers 32 at the rear in the conveying direction is made faster, as shown in Figure 6. This makes it possible to prevent the prepared set balls from accumulating at the rear in the conveying direction.

[0044] 6, the radius difference H2 between the pair (second pair) of smooth roller 32 and spiral roller 42 located at the rear side in the conveying direction is smaller than the radius difference H1 between the pair (first pair) of smooth roller 32 and spiral roller 42 located at the front side in the conveying direction. As a result, the space between smooth roller 32 and spiral roller 42 of the second pair is narrower than the space between smooth roller 32 and spiral roller 42 of the first pair, making it difficult for set balls to accumulate near the second pair. This makes it easier for the prepared set balls to be transported backward in the conveying direction.

[0045] In this manner, in this embodiment, the rotation speed of the smooth roller 32 is devised, and the radial differences H1 and H2 are devised to produce a synergistic effect, which prevents the set balls from remaining in the roller group 20.

[0046] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the root vegetable preparation apparatus 100 includes a frame 10 having a supply port through which set bulbs are supplied and a discharge port located a predetermined distance from the supply port in the +X direction; a plurality of smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42 arranged along the X axis direction and provided between the supply port and the discharge port of the frame 10, each having an axial member 34, 44 extending in the Y axis direction; and drive units 30A, 30B that rotate the plurality of smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42 to prepare the set bulbs and transport them in the +X direction. In the root vegetable preparation apparatus 100, the difference (H1) between the diameters of the smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42 of the set (first set) at the front (-X side) of the transport direction and the spiral roller 42 is larger than the difference (H2) between the diameters of the smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42 of the adjacent set (second set) at the rear of the transport direction. This prevents the adjusted set balls from accumulating behind the roller group 20 in the conveying direction, thereby improving preparation efficiency and conveying efficiency.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotational speed of each smooth roller 32 rotating in the direction of conveying the set balls is equal to or less than the rotational speed of the smooth roller 32 adjacent to each smooth roller 32 on the +X side, and the rotational speed of the smooth roller 32 located furthest on the -X side is slower than the rotational speed of the smooth roller 32 located furthest on the +X side. In other words, the smooth rollers 32 located further back in the conveying direction have a faster rotational speed, which prevents the prepared set balls from accumulating behind the conveying direction, improving preparation efficiency and conveying efficiency.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the roller group 20 has multiple pairs of smooth rollers 32 and spiral rollers 42 adjacent to the smooth rollers 32, so that the smooth rollers 32 and the spiral rollers 42 rotate in opposite directions, allowing the set balls to be prepared while being transported in the +X direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the smoothing rollers 32 is adjusted by changing the diameter of the sprockets provided on each smoothing roller 32. This makes it possible to easily adjust the rotation speed of each smoothing roller 32 even when one driving device 30A is used.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the diameters of the sprockets (fourth diameter φ4 and fifth diameter φ5) provided on the two spiral rollers 42 are the same, that is, the rotation speeds of the two spiral rollers 42 are the same, but this is not limiting. The rotation speeds of the two spiral rollers 42 may be different, and for example, the rotation speed of the spiral roller 42 on the +X side may be faster than the rotation speed of the spiral roller 42 on the -X side.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the difference (H1) between the diameter of the smooth roller 32 of the set (first set) at the front of the conveying direction (-X side) and the diameter of the spiral roller 42 is made larger than the difference (H2) between the diameter of the smooth roller 32 of the adjacent set (second set) at the rear of the conveying direction and the diameter of the spiral roller 42, and the rotational speed of each roller (smooth roller 32) rotating in the direction of conveying the set balls is made lower than the rotational speed of the smooth roller 32 adjacent to each smooth roller 32 on the +X side, but this is not limited to this. That is, the difference (H1) between the diameter of the smooth roller 32 of the set (first set) at the front (-X side) in the conveying direction and the diameter of the spiral roller 42 can be made larger than the difference (H2) between the diameter of the smooth roller 32 of the set (second set) adjacent at the rear in the conveying direction and the diameter of the spiral roller 42, or the rotational speed of each roller (smooth roller 32) rotating in the direction of conveying the set balls can be made equal to or lower than the rotational speed of the smooth roller 32 adjacent to each smooth roller 32 on the +X side. In either case, it is possible to improve the preparation efficiency and conveyance efficiency of the set balls compared to conventional methods.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the spiral roller 42 has the spiral ridge 43, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by forming a recess in the spiral roller 42, the spiral roller 42 may have the same function as when the spiral ridge 43 is provided.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the drive unit (30B) for rotating the smooth roller 32 and the drive unit (30A) for rotating the spiral roller 42 are provided separately, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the sprockets 38A-38C, 48A, and 48B may be provided on the -Y side of the smooth roller 32 and the spiral roller 42, and only one drive unit (130) may be provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, a chain 150 that meshes with a sprocket 152 provided on the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive unit 130 may be alternately engaged with the sprockets 38A-38C, 48A, and 48B from above and below. In this way, for example, when the sprocket 152 is rotated in the direction of the arrow MAR, the sprockets 38A-38C can be rotated in the direction of the arrow AR1, and the sprockets 48A and 48B can be rotated in the direction of the arrow AR2, which is opposite to the direction of the arrow AR1.

[0054] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the case where the smooth rollers 32 and the spiral rollers 42 are alternately arranged along the X-axis direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 8(a), one (or more) other smooth rollers 32 (smooth rollers 32 shown by dashed lines in Fig. 8(a)) may be sandwiched between the first and second sets. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8(b), when there are a first set, a second set, ..., an nth set, one or more smooth rollers 32 may be arranged at the positions indicated by the arrows (before the first set, after the nth set, or between each set).

[0055] In the above embodiment, the radius of each of the spiral rollers 42 of the spiral roller mechanisms 24A, 24B is the same, and the radius of each of the smooth rollers 32 of the smooth roller mechanisms 22A to 22C is smaller toward the +X side, as shown in Fig. 6. However, this is not limited to this, and the radius of the spiral rollers 42 of the spiral roller mechanisms 24A, 24B may also be different.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, when there are a first set, a second set, ..., an n-th set, the radius difference (Hm, H(m+1)) between adjacent sets (the m-th set and the (m+1)-th set) may be Hm=H(m+1) as long as the condition that the radius difference H1 of the first set is greater than the radius difference Hn of the n-th set is satisfied.

[0057] In the above embodiment and modified examples, a case has been described in which a smooth roller is provided at the end of roller group 20 on the +X side (see FIG. 6, etc.), but this is not limiting, and the roller at the end of roller group 20 on the +X side may be a spiral roller included in the set located closest to the +X side.

[0058] In the above embodiment and modified example, the roller located on the -X side of each set that rotates in the direction sending the set balls in the conveying direction is the smooth roller 32, and the roller located on the +X side that rotates in the opposite direction to the direction sending the set balls in the conveying direction is the spiral roller 42. However, this is not limited to this, and the roller located on the -X side of each set that rotates in the direction sending the set balls in the conveying direction may be the spiral roller 42, and the roller located on the +X side that rotates in the opposite direction to the direction sending the set balls in the conveying direction may be the smooth roller 32.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the root vegetable preparation device 100 is described as being used to prepare set onion bulbs, but this is not limited to this, and the device may also be used to prepare root vegetables such as garlic, bulbs, potatoes, and taro.

[0060] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Frame (preparation device body) 30A driver 30B Drive Unit 32 Smooth roller (first rod-shaped body) 38A~38C sprocket 42 Spiral roller (second rod-shaped body) 50B Chain (transmission component) 100 Root vegetable preparation device

Claims

1. A root vegetable preparation device that removes removal targets including at least one of stems and leaves, roots, and attachments from root vegetables to prepare the root vegetables, a preparation device body having a supply port through which the root vegetables are supplied and a discharge port through which the root vegetables are discharged, the discharge port being spaced a predetermined distance from the supply port on one side in a first direction; A plurality of rod-shaped bodies are provided between the supply port and the discharge port of the preparation device body, each having a rotation axis extending in a second direction in a horizontal plane intersecting the first direction, and arranged along the first direction; a drive device that rotates each of the plurality of rod-shaped bodies around a rotation axis to transport the root vegetables above the plurality of rod-shaped bodies; Equipped with The plurality of rod-shaped bodies include a plurality of pairs of a first rod-shaped body that rotates in a first rotation direction that is a direction that sends the root vegetables to one side of the first direction, and a second rod-shaped body that is adjacent to one side of the first rod-shaped body in the first direction and rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction, and in each of the plurality of pairs, the removal target is removed from the root vegetables by the rotation of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body, a difference between the diameter of the first rod-shaped body and the diameter of the second rod-shaped body in each of the plurality of groups is equal to or greater than the difference between the groups adjacent to each other on one side of the group in the first direction, and the difference between the groups closest to the supply port is greater than the difference between the groups closest to the discharge port; A root vegetable preparation device characterized by:

2. a rotation speed of each of the first rod-shaped bodies included in the plurality of rod-shaped bodies is equal to or less than a rotation speed of a first rod-shaped body adjacent to each first rod-shaped body on one side of the first direction, and a rotation speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the supply port is lower than a rotation speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the discharge port; 2. The root vegetable preparation device according to claim 1 .

3. A root vegetable preparation device that removes removal targets including at least one of stems and leaves, roots, and attachments from root vegetables to prepare the root vegetables, a preparation device body having a supply port through which the root vegetables are supplied and a discharge port through which the root vegetables are discharged, the discharge port being spaced a predetermined distance from the supply port on one side in a first direction; A plurality of rod-shaped bodies are provided between the supply port and the discharge port of the preparation device body, each having a rotation axis extending in a second direction in a horizontal plane intersecting the first direction, and arranged along the first direction; a drive device that rotates each of the plurality of rod-shaped bodies around a rotation axis to transport the root vegetables above the plurality of rod-shaped bodies; Equipped with The plurality of rod-shaped bodies include a plurality of pairs of a first rod-shaped body that rotates in a first rotation direction that is a direction that sends the root vegetables to one side of the first direction, and a second rod-shaped body that is adjacent to one side of the first rod-shaped body in the first direction and rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction, and in each of the plurality of pairs, the removal target is removed from the root vegetables by the rotation of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body, a rotation speed of each of the first rod-shaped bodies included in the plurality of rod-shaped bodies is equal to or less than a rotation speed of a first rod-shaped body adjacent to each first rod-shaped body on one side of the first direction, and a rotation speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the supply port is lower than a rotation speed of the first rod-shaped body closest to the discharge port; A root vegetable preparation device characterized by:

4. A root vegetable preparation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body is a smooth roller having a cylindrical shape with a smooth outer surface, and the other of the first rod-shaped body and the second rod-shaped body is a bladed roller having an approximately cylindrical shape with a blade portion provided on the outer surface.

5. The root vegetable preparing device according to claim 4, wherein the blade portion is provided spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the bladed roller.

6. A root vegetable preparation device as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each of the multiple first rod-shaped bodies is provided with a sprocket to transmit the driving force of the drive unit via a transmission member, and the rotational speed of each of the multiple first rod-shaped bodies is a speed corresponding to the diameter of the sprocket.

7. 4. The root vegetable preparation device according to claim 1, wherein the root vegetable is at least one of a set bulb of onion, garlic, and a bulb.

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