Granular material inspection equipment

Abstract

To provide means that achieves appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device comprising a plurality of inspection units.SOLUTION: A granular material inspection device comprises: a plurality of inspection units 4 that inspect granular materials to detect a defective article; and a changing unit 7h that changes an operation parameter of a unit to be adjusted 4R so as to reduce the difference between screening sensitivity that is the number of detected defective articles per unit time in a reference unit 4L that is one of a plurality of inspection units 4 and screening sensitivity in the unit to be adjusted 4R that is an inspection unit 4 being the rest of the inspection units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a particle inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a granular material sorting device. In this device, a transport means (vibrating feeder, chute, etc.) passes rice grains in a single layer spread across multiple rows in the width direction through a measurement target location. Light from the measurement target location is incident on a light receiving device equipped with multiple unit light receiving parts (pixels). Whether or not the rice grain is defective is determined based on the output of each unit light receiving part. Rice grains determined to be defective are separated from the other rice grains by an air blowing device at a separation point downstream of the measurement target location.

[0003] The granular material sorting device of Patent Document 1 includes one each of a supply lifting and conveying device, a transfer means, a light receiving device, and an air blowing device. Rice grains are supplied from the supply lifting and conveying device to the transfer means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-250193 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to increase the processing capacity (the amount of granular material that can be processed per unit time), it is conceivable to provide a granular material inspection device with multiple inspection units that inspect the granular material to detect defective products. In this case, the granular material fed into the granular material inspection device is distributed to multiple inspection units. The distributed granular material is then inspected by each inspection unit. Since the defect rate (the proportion of defective products contained) of the granular material inspected by each inspection unit is in principle the same, it is preferable that the sorting sensitivity (the number of defective products detected per unit time) when the inspection unit is operated is the same among the multiple inspection units.

[0006] However, due to individual differences in the inspection units (for example, individual differences in the sensitivity of the light receiving device, individual differences in the brightness of the lighting, individual differences in the vibration strength of the vibrating feeder, etc.), the sorting sensitivity of each inspection unit may differ. In such a case, even though the inspection population (a group of granular materials fed into the granular material inspection device) is the same, the number of granular materials determined to be defective by one inspection unit may differ from the number of granular materials determined to be defective by another inspection unit. In this case, either one of the inspection units detects non-defective products as defective (sorting sensitivity is unreasonably high), or it does not detect defective products and treats them as non-defective products (sorting sensitivity is unreasonably low). In either case, it cannot be said that the granular material inspection device is exhibiting appropriate inspection performance.

[0007] Such a problem does not arise in an apparatus such as the granular material sorting apparatus of Patent Document 1, which is provided with one each of a supply lifting and conveying device, a transfer means, a light receiving device, and an air blowing device.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for achieving appropriate inspection performance in a particle inspection apparatus equipped with a plurality of inspection units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the granular material inspection device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of inspection units for inspecting granular material and detecting defective products, and a modification unit for modifying the operating parameters of the adjusted units so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit, which is one of the plurality of inspection units, and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted units, which are the remaining inspection units.

[0010] According to this configuration, the operating parameters of the adjusted unit are changed so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units and achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0011] In the present invention, the inspection unit comprises a sending device for sending the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and the sending device controls the sending amount of the granular material based on a set sending amount as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit, and the change unit preferably increases the set sending amount of the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit.

[0012] According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the set delivery amount of the adjusted unit is increased, which increases the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units and achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the change section reduces the set transmission amount in the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the set delivery amount of the adjusted unit is reduced, which reduces the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and reduces the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units, thereby achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0015] In the present invention, the inspection unit comprises a sending device for sending the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and the detection device detects the granular material as defective when the intensity of light detected by the sensor is lower than a sorting threshold based on a sorting threshold as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit, and it is preferable that the change unit increases the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit is increased, so that the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is increased, and the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units is reduced, thereby achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that, when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit, the change section lowers the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit.

[0018] According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit is lowered, which reduces the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and reduces the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units, thereby achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0019] In the present invention, the inspection unit comprises a sending device for sending the granular material to the inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and an illumination device for illuminating the inspection area, and it is preferable that the modification unit changes the light emission intensity of the illumination device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

[0020] According to this configuration, the emission intensity of the illumination device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit is changed based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, so that the emission intensity of the adjusted unit becomes appropriate. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units becomes small, and appropriate inspection performance can be achieved in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0021] In the present invention, the inspection unit comprises a sending device for sending the granular material to the inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and it is preferable that the modification unit changes the sensitivity of the sensor as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

[0022] According to this configuration, the sensitivity of the sensor as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit is changed based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, so that the sensitivity of the sensor in the adjusted unit becomes appropriate. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units becomes small, and appropriate inspection performance can be achieved in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the change section changes the operation parameters of the sending device with priority over the operation parameters of the detection device.

[0024] According to this configuration, the operating parameters of the sending device are changed with priority over the operating parameters of the detection device, so that the difference in the sorting sensitivity of the multiple inspection units is easily reduced, and therefore it is easy to achieve appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that the modification unit calculates a time average of the sorting sensitivity over a predetermined period for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and modifies the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference therebetween.

[0026] According to this configuration, the time average of the sorting sensitivity in a predetermined period is calculated for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and the operating parameters of the adjusted unit are changed so that the difference between them becomes small. This suppresses the adverse effects of sudden or accidental changes in sorting sensitivity, making it easier to achieve appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the particulate material inspection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the particulate material inspection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a main part of the inspection unit. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the granular material inspection device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of optical inspection performed by a particle inspection device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of a sensor. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of an operation parameter changing process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a sensitivity setting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a granular material inspection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. In each figure, the direction indicated by the symbol (FR) is the front side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (BK) is the rear side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (LH) is the left side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (RH) is the right side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (UP) is the top side, and the direction indicated by the symbol (DW) is the bottom side.

[0029] The granular material inspection device optically inspects whether the granular material fed into the device is normal or defective, and then separates the normal and defective materials before discharging them. In this embodiment, the granular material is grain such as brown rice or polished rice. The granular material may also be resin pellets or the like.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the granular material inspection equipment includes an input hopper 1, a first lifting conveyor 2, a storage hopper 3, an inspection unit 4, a second lifting conveyor 5, an operation and display device 6, a control device 7 (Figure 4), and an alarm device 8 (Figure 4).

[0031] The input hopper 1 is provided at the bottom rear of the apparatus and receives the granular material to be inspected.

[0032] The first lifting conveyor 2 is provided in the center of the left and right rear of the device, and transports the granular material fed into the feeding hopper 1 upwards and feeds it into the storage hopper 3.

[0033] The storage hopper 3 stores the granular material fed from the first lifting conveyor 2 and supplies the granular material to the inspection unit 4.

[0034] The inspection unit 4 inspects the granular material supplied from the storage hopper 3, detects defective products, and separates the granular material into normal products and defective products and discharges them. In this embodiment, the granular material inspection device includes a left inspection unit 4L and a right inspection unit 4R.

[0035] The second lifting conveyor 5 is provided on the left side of the rear part of the apparatus, and transports granular material that has been rejected as a normal product from the inspection unit 4 upward and discharges it outside the apparatus.

[0036] The operation and display device 6 is provided in the center of the front part of the device. The operation and display device 6 receives manual operations from an operator and transmits them to the control device 7. The operation and display device 6 also displays various screens under the control of the control device 7. In this embodiment, the operation and display device 6 is a liquid crystal display with a touch panel. The operation and display device 6 may be a device that combines push buttons and a liquid crystal display.

[0037] The control device 7 controls the overall operation of the particle inspection device.

[0038] The notification device 8 is controlled by the control device 7 to notify the operator of an abnormality in the device. The notification device 8 is, for example, a buzzer, a speaker, a lamp, or an information display device. The operation and display device 6 may also function as the notification device 8.

[0039] [Inspection unit] An overview of the configuration and operation of the inspection unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The left inspection unit 4L and the right inspection unit 4R have the same configuration and perform the same operation. Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 3, the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z direction, the upstream side of the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z1 side, the downstream side of the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z2 side, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction of the device is referred to as the Y direction, the front side of the device in the Y direction is referred to as the Y1 side, and the rear side of the device in the Y direction is referred to as the Y2 side.

[0040] The granular material to be inspected falls from the chute 12 to the Z2 side and is sent to the inspection area IA. The inspection area IA is illuminated by the lighting device 21. Light from the inspection area IA is incident on the front camera 22A, the rear camera 22B, and the transmission camera 22C, and is detected by the front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmission sensor 23C (hereinafter, the front camera 22A, the rear camera 22B, and the transmission camera 22C are collectively referred to as "camera 22". The front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmission sensor 23C are collectively referred to as "sensor 23".).

[0041] Specifically, light reflected from the Y1 side of the granular material enters the front camera 22A and is detected by the front sensor 23A. Light reflected from the Y2 side of the granular material enters the rear camera 22B and is detected by the rear sensor 23B. Light transmitted through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side enters the transmission camera 22C and is detected by the transmission sensor 23C.

[0042] The output of the sensor 23 is transmitted to the control device 7. The control device 7 judges whether the granular material is normal or defective based on the output of the sensor 23. The control device 7 activates the air blowing device 31 when a granular material judged to be defective falls to the front of the air blowing device 31. The granular material blown with air is pushed towards the Y1 side and falls into the defective product recovery section 41. The other granular materials fall into the normal product recovery section 42.

[0043] [Configuration of the inspection unit] The inspection unit 4 includes a sending device 10, a detecting device 20, and a rejecting device 30. As described above, the left inspection unit 4L and the right inspection unit 4R have the same configuration.

[0044] The sending device 10 is a device that sends out a plurality of granular materials in parallel (in the left-right direction of the device, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) to the inspection area IA. The sending device 10 includes a vibrating feeder 11 and a chute 12.

[0045] The vibrating feeder 11 receives the granular material flowing down from the storage hopper 3 in a trough 11a, and vibrates the trough 11a to send the granular material to a chute 12. The operation of the vibrating feeder 11 is controlled by a control device 7.

[0046] The chute 12 is a plate-shaped member. On the upper surface of the chute 12, multiple linear grooves are formed in a state of being aligned in parallel in the left-right direction. The width of the grooves is set to a size that allows the granular material to flow down in a single line. The granular material that falls from the trough 11a of the vibrating feeder 11 to the chute 12 is guided by the grooves of the chute 12, flows down in multiple parallel rows on the chute 12, and is sent to the inspection area IA.

[0047] The detection device 20 is a device that detects light from the inspection area IA, and includes the above-mentioned illumination device 21, camera 22, sensor 23, and mirror 24.

[0048] The lighting device 21 includes background members 21A, 21B, and 21C, and lighting units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G.

[0049] The background members 21A, 21B, and 21C are members that guide light from a light emitting device (not shown) to illuminate the inspection area IA. The background members 21A, 21B, and 21C function as a background for the granular material in the light that reaches the camera 22 from the inspection area IA. The light emitting device that serves as the light source for the background members 21A, 21B, and 21C is controlled by the control device 7 so that the illumination of the inspection area IA is of an appropriate intensity.

[0050] The illumination units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G are equipped with LED packages whose light emission intensities are controlled by the control device 7, and illuminate the inspection area IA. The illumination units 21D and 21E are disposed on the Y1 side of the inspection area IA, and illuminate the inspection area IA from the Y1 side. The illumination units 21F and 21G are disposed on the Y2 side of the inspection area IA, and illuminate the inspection area IA from the Y2 side.

[0051] The front camera 22A includes a front lens device 25A. The front sensor 23A is disposed inside the front camera 22A. The optical axis 26A of the front camera 22A is shown in FIG. 3. Light reflected by the surface of the granular material on the Y1 side and light emitted from the background member 21A are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y1 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the front lens device 25A, and irradiated to the front sensor 23A. That is, the front sensor 23A of the front camera 22A detects the light reflected by the surface of the granular material on the Y1 side and the light emitted from the background member 21A.

[0052] The rear camera 22B includes a rear lens device 25B. A rear sensor 23B is disposed inside the rear camera 22B. An optical axis 26B of the rear camera 22B is shown in FIG. 3. Light reflected from the surface of the granular material on the Y2 side and light emitted from the background member 21B are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y2 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the rear lens device 25B, and irradiated to the rear sensor 23B. That is, the rear sensor 23B of the rear camera 22B detects the light reflected from the surface of the granular material on the Y2 side and the light emitted from the background member 21B.

[0053] The transmission camera 22C includes a transmission lens device 25C. A transmission sensor 23C is disposed inside the transmission camera 22C. An optical axis 26C of the transmission camera 22C is shown in FIG. 3. Light transmitted through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side and light emitted from the background member 21C are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y2 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the transmission lens device 25C, and irradiated to the transmission sensor 23C. That is, the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C detects the light transmitted through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side and the light emitted from the background member 21C.

[0054] Hereinafter, the front lens device 25A, the rear lens device 25B, and the transmission lens device 25C may be collectively referred to as "lens device 25".

[0055] The front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmission sensor 23C detect light over time, and transmit output data to the control device 7 every predetermined time.

[0056] A light shielding member 27 is disposed in the inspection area IA. The light shielding member 27 prevents light reflected by the granular material and illumination light from the illumination units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G from directly entering the transmission camera 22C.

[0057] The rejecting device 30 is a device that rejects granular material that has been determined to be defective. The rejecting device 30 is composed of an air blowing device 31. The air blowing device 31 has a plurality of injection ports S arranged in the left-right direction of the device. The injection ports S are arranged at positions corresponding to the granular material that falls from the plurality of grooves of the chute 12.

[0058] [Control device] The control device 7 is an ECU, and includes a pass / fail determination unit 7a, a storage unit 7f, a sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g, and a change unit 7h, as shown in Fig. 4. The control device 7 is connected to the inspection unit 4 and the notification device 8, and is configured to be able to control them. The control device 7 includes a memory (such as a HDD or non-volatile RAM, not shown) that stores programs and control parameters corresponding to the above-mentioned functional units, and a CPU (not shown) that executes the programs. The functions of each functional unit are realized by the CPU executing the programs. The control device 7 may be configured of multiple ECUs that can communicate with each other.

[0059] The quality determination unit 7a determines whether the granular material is normal or defective based on the output of the sensor 23 received by the control device 7. Details of the operation of the quality determination unit 7a and other functional units will be described later with reference to Figs.

[0060] The storage unit 7f stores, for example, operation parameters of the inspection unit 4, threshold values ​​used to determine the quality of granular bodies, and the like.

[0061] The sorting sensitivity calculation section 7g calculates a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, for each of the multiple inspection units 4 based on the judgment result by the pass / fail judgment section 7a.

[0062] The change unit 7h changes the operating parameters of the adjusted units so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of a reference unit, which is one of the multiple inspection units 4, and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted units, which are the remaining inspection units 4, becomes smaller.

[0063] [Determining whether granular material is good or bad] 5 and 6, the determination of the quality of granular materials and the removal of defective products performed in the inspection unit 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the inspection area IA viewed from the front of the device in a direction perpendicular to the Y and Z directions, with the right side of the figure corresponding to the right side of the device and the top of the figure corresponding to the Z1 side.

[0064] The granular material discharged from the grooves of the chute 12 falls in the Z2 direction, passes through the inspection area IA, and passes in front of the air blowing device 31. The paths along which the granular material moves are referred to as paths R1, R2, R3, ... Rn from the left. n is the same as the number of grooves in the chute 12.

[0065] The nozzles S of the air blowing device 31 are arranged to correspond to each of the routes R1 to Rn. The nozzles S corresponding to the routes R1, R2, ... Rn are referred to as nozzles S1, S2, S3, ... Sn. In other words, the granular material falling along the route R1 passes in front of the nozzle S1.

[0066] As described above, the light from the inspection area IA travels along the optical axis 26A, enters the front camera 22A, and reaches the surface of the front sensor 23A. In this embodiment, the front sensor 23A is a line sensor and has a number of pixels E1, E2, ... Em arranged in a row. m is the total number of pixels that the front sensor 23A has. The light from the inspection area IA is detected by the front sensor 23A from a long and narrow area extending from the optical axis 26A in the left-right direction of the device. This area is called the detection area DU. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the light from the detection area DU enters the front sensor 23A. The multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em are arranged along a direction corresponding to the parallel direction (left-right direction of the device) of the granular material in the inspection area IA (detection area DU).

[0067] In this embodiment, the rear sensor 23B of the rear camera 22B is also a line sensor. As shown in Fig. 3, the optical axis 26B of the rear camera 22B passes through the detection area DU. That is, light from the detection area DU is incident on the rear sensor 23B.

[0068] In this embodiment, the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C is also a line sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis 26C of the transmission camera 22C passes through the Z2 side (the lower side in the vertical direction of the device) of the detection area DU. The light from the inspection area IA, which is detected by the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C, is a light from a narrow area extending from the optical axis 26C in the horizontal direction of the device. This area is called the detection area DL (FIGS. 3 and 5). As shown in FIG. 3, the light from the detection area DL is incident on the transmission sensor 23C. The detection area DL is located on the lower side (Z2 side) of the detection area DU.

[0069] An example of the output of the front sensor 23A is shown in the lower part of Fig. 5. In the illustrated example, a drop in output is observed at two points in the output of the front sensor 23A. This is because the granular material G1 falling along the path R2 and the granular material G2 falling along the path R4 are located in the detection area DU, and the light reflected from the granular material G1 and the granular material G2 is incident on the front sensor 23A. In other words, the intensity of the light reflected from the granular material and incident on the front sensor 23A is smaller than the intensity of the light from the background member 21A. In this way, when a granular material passes through the detection area DU (and the detection area DL), a change occurs in the output of the sensor 23.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows an example in which the granular body G1 is a defective product. In the illustrated example, the granular body G1 is a rice kernel, and has a normal area A1, a colored area A2, and a black area A3. The color of the colored area A2 is darker than the color of the normal area A1. Therefore, the intensity of the light reflected by the colored area A2 is smaller than the intensity of the light reflected by the normal area A1. The color of the black area A3 is darker than the color of the colored area A2. Therefore, the intensity of the light reflected by the black area A3 is smaller than the intensity of the light reflected by the colored area A2. When the granular body G1 is in the position of FIG. 6 relative to the detection area DU, the output of the front sensor 23A has an area where the output is reduced due to the normal area A1, the colored area A2, and the black area A3.

[0071] Specifically, background light (light from the background member 21A) is incident on pixels E41-E44. The outputs of pixels E41-E44 are smaller than the upper second threshold SU2 and larger than the granular material detection threshold SH. Light from the normal region A1 is incident on pixels E45-47, E53-54, and E57-58. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the granular material detection threshold SH and larger than the lower second threshold SL2. Light from the colored region A2 is incident on pixels E48-52. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the lower second threshold SL2 and larger than the lower first threshold SL1. Light from the black region A3 is incident on pixels E55-56. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the lower first threshold SL1.

[0072] The quality determining unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective when the output of the front sensor 23A includes a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold value SL1 or the lower second threshold value SL2. In detail, the quality determining unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective related to the lower first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold value SL1. The lower first defect is, for example, "stink bug damage." The quality determining unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective related to the lower second defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower second threshold value SL2. The lower second defect is, for example, "discoloration."

[0073] In addition, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective when there is a pixel in the output of the front sensor 23A whose output is greater than the upper first threshold value SU1 or the upper second threshold value SU2. In detail, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective related to the upper first defect when there is a pixel in the output of the front sensor 23A whose output is greater than the upper first threshold value SU1. The upper first defect is, for example, "glass" or "transparent resin". The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is defective related to the upper second defect when there is a pixel in the output of the front sensor 23A whose output is greater than the upper second threshold value SU2.

[0074] Here, the quality determination unit 7a may perform quality determination based on the number of pixels whose output is below the threshold in addition to the magnitude of the output relative to the threshold. For example, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the lower first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold SL1 and the number of such pixels is greater than the lower first quantity threshold. The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the lower second defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is smaller than the lower second threshold SL2 and the number of such pixels is greater than the lower second quantity threshold. The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the upper first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is larger than the upper first threshold SU1 and the number of such pixels is greater than the upper first quantity threshold. The pass / fail judgment unit 7a judges that the granular material is a defective product related to the upper side second defect when there is a pixel in the output of the front sensor 23A whose output is greater than the upper side second threshold value SU2 and the number of such pixels is greater than the upper side second quantity threshold value.

[0075] The quality determination unit 7a determines the quality of the granular material based on the output of the rear sensor 23B, similar to the output of the front sensor 23A described above. The rear sensor 23B detects light emitted from the detection area DU of the inspection area IA to the Y2 side. Therefore, the quality determination unit 7a determines the quality of the granular material based on the reflected light from both the Y1 side and the Y2 side of the granular material.

[0076] The quality judging unit 7a judges the quality of the granular material based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C, in the same manner as in the case of the output of the front sensor 23A described above. When the granular material is rice grains, the judgment of the first lower defect by the quality judging unit 7a based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C is a judgment that the grain is less transparent to light than normal products, such as "rice", "white rice", and "milky white". The judgment of the first upper defect is a judgment that the grain is more transparent to light than normal products, such as "non-glutinous rice among glutinous rice" and "green rice".

[0077] 〔channel〕 The quality judgement unit 7a judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn based on the output of the front sensor 23A. Specifically, the quality judgement unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the front sensor 23A to correspond to the multiple parallel paths R1, R2, ... Rn, sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple channels. That is, the multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn correspond to the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn, and correspond to the multiple injection ports S1, S2, ... Sn of the air blowing device 31 (removal device 30).

[0078] In the example of FIG. 6, light from a portion of the detection area DU that overlaps with path R2 is incident on pixels E41-63 in the front sensor 23A. Therefore, pixels E41-63 corresponding to path R2 are set as channel CH2. A predetermined number of pixels up to pixel E40 corresponding to path R1 are set as channel CH1. A predetermined number of pixels from pixel E64 onwards corresponding to path R3 are set as channel CH3. The channels are initially set when the device is manufactured. Set values ​​for the distribution of pixels E1, E2, .... Em to channels CH1, CH2, .... CHn are stored in memory unit 7f.

[0079] When the above-mentioned judgment criteria are satisfied in a portion of the output of the front sensor 23A corresponding to a certain channel, the quality judgment unit 7a judges that the granular material in the path corresponding to that channel is defective. Then, the quality judgment unit 7a operates the air blowing device 31 (removal device 30) to blow air from the nozzle S corresponding to that channel. In detail, the quality judgment unit 7a operates the air blowing device 31 after a predetermined time has elapsed since it judged that the granular material is defective.

[0080] Similarly, the quality judging unit 7a judges the quality of the granular material based on the output of the rear sensor 23B for each of the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn. Specifically, the quality judging unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the rear sensor 23B to correspond to the multiple parallel paths R1, R2, ... Rn, and sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple channels. Also, the quality judging unit 7a judges the quality of the granular material based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C for each of the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn. Specifically, the quality judging unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the transmission sensor 23C to correspond to the multiple parallel paths R1, R2, ... Rn, and sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple channels. That is, the channel distribution of the front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmissive sensor 23C is set so that channels with the same numbers correspond to paths R and injection ports S with the same numbers. Note that the number and number of pixels E distributed to the same channel number may differ between the front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmissive sensor 23C.

[0081] The set values ​​of pixel distribution for the channels of each sensor are stored in memory 7f. The quality judgement unit 7a reads data indicating the correspondence between channels and pixels from memory 7f and judges the quality of the granular material for each channel based on the output of each sensor.

[0082] [Change of operation parameters] In this embodiment, the change unit 7h automatically changes the operation parameters of the inspection unit 4 so as to reduce the difference in sorting sensitivity between the two inspection units 4. The change of the operation parameters by the change unit 7h may be performed while the inspection unit 4 is operating (while the inspection is being performed) or while the inspection unit 4 is stopped (while the inspection is stopped).

[0083] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the operating parameters of the right inspection unit 4R are changed with the left inspection unit 4L as a reference. That is, the left inspection unit 4L is the "reference unit, which is one of the multiple inspection units" described in the claims. The right inspection unit 4R is the "adjusted unit, which is the remaining inspection unit" described in the claims. The opposite configuration, that is, a configuration in which the right inspection unit 4R is the reference unit and the left inspection unit 4L is the adjusted unit, is also possible. The reference unit may be determined from the multiple inspection units 4 based on operation input from the operator.

[0084] [Sorting sensitivity] The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, for each of the multiple inspection units 4 based on the judgment result by the pass / fail judgment unit 7a. For example, the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g stores the time, the type of inspection unit 4, the type of sensor 23, and the type of defect as defective product data in the memory unit 7f every time the pass / fail judgment unit 7a detects a defective product. For example, the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g stores "time 15:07:24, right inspection unit 4R, front sensor 23A, lower first defect" in the memory unit 7f. The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the sorting sensitivity by referring to the defective product data stored in the memory unit 7f.

[0085] The "unit time" that is the basis for the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g to calculate the sorting sensitivity is determined in advance and stored in the storage unit 7f. The unit time may be changed by an operation input from an operator. The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g may detect the sorting sensitivity for a plurality of unit times (e.g., 30 seconds and 1 hour).

[0086] The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g can calculate the following six sorting sensitivities.

[0087] The sorting sensitivity of the front sensor 23A of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as the "left front sorting sensitivity")

[0088] The sorting sensitivity of the rear sensor 23B of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as the "left rear sorting sensitivity")

[0089] The sorting sensitivity of the transmission sensor 23C of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as "left transmission sorting sensitivity")

[0090] Average sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L (average of left front sorting sensitivity, left rear sorting sensitivity, and left transmission sorting sensitivity, hereinafter referred to as "left average sorting sensitivity").

[0091] The sorting sensitivity of the front sensor 23A of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as the "right front sorting sensitivity")

[0092] The sorting sensitivity of the rear sensor 23B of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as the "right rear sorting sensitivity")

[0093] The sorting sensitivity of the transmission sensor 23C of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as the "right transmission sorting sensitivity")

[0094] Average sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R (average of right front sorting sensitivity, right rear sorting sensitivity, and right transmission sorting sensitivity, hereinafter referred to as "right average sorting sensitivity").

[0095] The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g may calculate the sorting sensitivity for each type of defect (lower first defect (eg, "stink bug damage"), lower second defect (eg, "discoloration")).

[0096] [Operation parameters] The operational parameters to be changed by the change unit 7h include the following: The operational parameters below are stored in the storage unit 7f.

[0097] Set delivery amount of the delivery device 10 (operation strength, operation time, operation interval of the vibration feeder 11)

[0098] Sorting thresholds of each camera 22 (lower first threshold SL1, lower first quantity threshold, lower second threshold SL2, lower second quantity threshold, upper first threshold SU1, upper first quantity threshold, upper second threshold SU2, upper second quantity threshold)

[0099] The light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (the light emitting devices of the background members 21A, 21B, and 21C, and the lighting units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G)

[0100] Sensitivity of each sensor 23 (magnification of output voltage from pixel, magnification at the time of quantization, etc.)

[0101] Here, the control device 7 controls the delivery device 10 (vibration feeder 11) based on the set delivery amount as an operation parameter. In other words, the delivery device 10 controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on the set delivery amount.

[0102] The quality determining unit 7a determines whether the granular material is good or bad based on a sorting threshold as an operation parameter. In other words, the detector 20 detects the granular material as a defective product based on the sorting threshold.

[0103] The control device 7 controls the illumination device 21 based on the emission intensity as an operation parameter. In other words, the illumination device 21 illuminates the inspection area IA based on the emission intensity.

[0104] The controller 7 processes the output data from each sensor 23 based on the sensitivity of each sensor 23 as an operating parameter. In other words, the sensitivity of each sensor 23 is controlled by the controller 7.

[0105] [First change in operating parameters: set output amount] The change unit 7h changes the set sending amount of the sending device 10 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L becomes smaller. Specifically, the change unit 7h increases the set sending amount of the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L. When the set sending amount increases, the amount of granular material sent from the sending device 10 increases. As the inspection population increases, the number of granular materials determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

[0106] Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the set sending amount in the right inspection unit 4R. When the set sending amount is reduced, the amount of granular material sent from the sending device 10 is reduced. As the inspection population is reduced, the number of granular materials determined to be defective is reduced, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is reduced. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

[0107] In the first modification, the selection sensitivity used by the modification unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations.

[0108] Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity

[0109] Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity

[0110] Left rear selection sensitivity and right rear selection sensitivity

[0111] Left transmission selection sensitivity and right transmission selection sensitivity

[0112] [Second modification of the operating parameter: sorting threshold] The change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold of each camera 22 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L is reduced. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than that of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold of the right inspection unit 4R in a direction that makes sorting stricter. When the sorting threshold is changed in a direction that makes sorting stricter, the number of granular objects determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

[0113] The changes to the selection threshold in the direction of making selection stricter are as follows. Lower first threshold SL1 or lower second threshold SL2: High Lower 1st quantity threshold or Lower 2nd quantity threshold: Small Upper first threshold SU1 or upper second threshold SU2: Low Upper 1st quantity threshold or Upper 2nd quantity threshold: Small

[0114] That is, with respect to the "lower" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is lower than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

[0115] Regarding the "upper" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is higher than the sorting threshold. When the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R.

[0116] Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R in a direction that loosens sorting. When the sorting threshold is changed in a direction that loosens sorting, the number of granular objects determined to be defective decreases, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R decreases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

[0117] The change in the selection threshold to make the selection less strict is as follows. Lower first threshold SL1 or lower second threshold SL2: Low Lower 1st quantity threshold or Lower 2nd quantity threshold:Large Upper first threshold SU1 or upper second threshold SU2: High Upper 1st quantity threshold or Upper 2nd quantity threshold:Large

[0118] That is, with respect to the "lower" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is lower than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is higher than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

[0119] Regarding the "upper" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is higher than the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is higher than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

[0120] In the second modified embodiment, the selection sensitivity used by the modifying unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations.

[0121] Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: in this case, the sorting thresholds for all sensors 23 are preferably modified.

[0122] Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable for the sorting threshold associated with the front sensor 23A to be modified.

[0123] Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable that the sorting threshold for the rear sensor 23B is changed.

[0124] Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable for the sorting threshold for the transmission sensor 23C to be changed.

[0125] The sorting sensitivity calculated for each type of defect may be used for comparison by the change unit 7h. In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting threshold (e.g., the lower first threshold value SL1 and / or the lower first quantity threshold value) corresponding to the type of defect (e.g., the lower first defect).

[0126] [Third change in operating parameters: light emission intensity] The change unit 7h changes the light emission intensity of the illumination device 21 so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the light emission intensity of the right inspection unit 4R. When the light emission intensity is reduced, the inspection area IA becomes darker, the number of granular bodies determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

[0127] Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h increases the emission intensity in the right inspection unit 4R. When the emission intensity increases, the inspection area IA becomes brighter, the number of granular objects determined to be defective decreases, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R decreases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity decreases.

[0128] In the third modified embodiment, the selection sensitivity used by the modifying unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations.

[0129] Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable that the light emission intensity is changed for the entire lighting device 21 (all light-emitting devices related to all background members, all lighting units).

[0130] Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable that the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light emitting device associated with the background member 21A, lighting units 21D and 21E) associated with the front sensor 23A is changed.

[0131] Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable that the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light emitting device associated with the background member 21B, lighting units 21F, 21G) associated with the rear sensor 23B is changed.

[0132] Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable that the emission intensity of the illumination device 21 (light-emitting device associated with the background member 21C, illumination units 21D and 21E) associated with the transmission sensor 23C is changed.

[0133] [Third change in operating parameters: light emission intensity] The change unit 7h changes the sensitivity of the sensor 23 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L becomes smaller. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h increases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 in the right inspection unit 4R. When the sensitivity of the sensor 23 becomes higher (more sensitive), the number of granular bodies determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R becomes higher. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

[0134] Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the sensitivity of the sensor 23 in the right inspection unit 4R. When the sensitivity of the sensor 23 is reduced (insensitive), the number of granular objects determined to be defective decreases, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R decreases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity decreases.

[0135] In the fourth modified embodiment, the selection sensitivity used by the changing unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations.

[0136] Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: in this case, the sensitivity is preferably changed for all sensors 23 .

[0137] Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable for the sensitivity to be changed for the front sensor 23A.

[0138] Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable for the sensitivity to be changed for the rear sensor 23B.

[0139] Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable for the sensitivity to be changed for the transmission sensor 23C.

[0140] [Operation parameter change process] An operation parameter changing process executed in the granular material inspection device will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7. The operation parameter changing process is repeatedly executed while the granular material inspection device is in operation. The operation parameter changing process may be executed at a set predetermined time interval, or may be executed in response to an operation input from an operator.

[0141] The selection sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the selection sensitivity of the reference unit (left inspection unit 4L, the same below) and the adjusted unit (right inspection unit 4R, the same below) (step #101).

[0142] The change unit 7h calculates the difference between the selection sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the selection sensitivity of the reference unit based on the calculation result of step #101, and determines whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step #102). If the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step #102: Yes), the operation parameter change process ends.

[0143] If the difference in the sorting sensitivity is not equal to or less than the predetermined value (step #102: No), the change unit 7h determines whether the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103).

[0144] If the selection sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the selection sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: Yes), the change unit 7h reduces the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit (step #104).

[0145] If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is not smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: No), the change unit 7h increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit (step #105).

[0146] After execution of step #104 or step #105, the selection sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the selection sensitivity of the reference unit and the adjusted unit again (step #106).

[0147] The change unit 7h calculates the difference between the selection sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the selection sensitivity of the reference unit based on the calculation result of step #106, and determines whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step #107). If the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step #107: Yes), the operation parameter change process ends.

[0148] If the difference in the sorting sensitivity is not equal to or less than the predetermined value (step #107: No), the change unit 7h determines whether the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #108).

[0149] If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is lower than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: Yes), the change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit (step #109), reduces the illumination of the lighting device 21 (step #110), and decreases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 (step #111).

[0150] If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is not smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: No), the change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit (step #112), increases the illumination of the lighting device 21 (step #113), and increases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 (step #114).

[0151] After step #111 or step #114 is executed, step #101 is executed again. That is, the operation parameter change process is executed until the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step #102: Yes, or step #107: Yes).

[0152] As described above, in this embodiment, the change unit 7h prioritizes changing the operating parameters of the sending device 10 (steps #104, 105) over changing the operating parameters of the detection device 20 (steps #109-114).

[0153] [Sensitivity setting process] The sensitivity setting process executed in the granular material inspection apparatus will be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 8. The sensitivity setting process is started by an operation input from the operator.

[0154] The control device 7 causes the operation display device 6 to display a screen that prompts the operator to select and input the sensitivity to be adjusted (step #201). On the screen, buttons with the text strings "Stink bug damage", "Discoloration", "White rice / milky white / rice", and "Green rice" are displayed as targets for selecting and inputting the sensitivity to be adjusted.

[0155] The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (step #202). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is made (step #202: No).

[0156] When the control device 7 receives a selection input of the sensitivity to be adjusted (step #202: Yes), the control device 7 executes test sorting (step #203). In detail, the control device 7 operates the grain discharge device in response to the operation display device 6 receiving an operation input from the operator to start test sorting, and stops the grain discharge device in response to the operation display device 6 receiving an operation input from the operator to end test sorting.

[0157] When step #203 is completed, the control device 7 causes the operation and display device 6 to display a screen for prompting the operator to select and input the results of the test sorting (step #204). On the screen, buttons with the texts "No problem," "Many sorting errors," and "Low yield" are displayed as targets for selecting and inputting the results of the test sorting.

[0158] The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #205, #206). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #205: No, step #206: No).

[0159] When "many sorting errors" or "poor yield" is selected and input as the result of the test sorting (step #205: No, step #206: Yes), the control device 7 displays a screen on the operation display device 6 to prompt the operator to select and input the adjustment range of the sensitivity (step #207). On the screen, buttons with the text "I want to reduce a little" and "I want to reduce a lot" are displayed as options for selecting and inputting the adjustment range of the sensitivity.

[0160] The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (step #208). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is made (step #208: No).

[0161] When the selection input of the sensitivity adjustment range is received (step #208: Yes), the control device 7 changes the sensitivity for determining defective products in the inspection unit 4, and causes the operation and display device 6 to display a screen showing the changed sensitivity (step #209).

[0162] In detail, the control device 7 changes the sensitivity for the sensitivity to be adjusted, inputted in step #201, based on the results of the test selection, inputted in step #205, and the sensitivity adjustment range, inputted in step #207.

[0163] If the result of the test sorting is "many sorting errors", the control device 7 changes the sensitivity in a direction to make it stronger. If the result of the test sorting is "poor yield", the control device 7 changes the sensitivity in a direction to make it weaker. The direction to make the sensitivity stronger is the direction in which each threshold value is changed as follows. The direction to make the sensitivity weaker is the opposite direction. Lower first threshold SL1 or lower second threshold SL2: High Lower 1st quantity threshold or Lower 2nd quantity threshold: Small Upper first threshold SU1 or upper second threshold SU2: Low Upper 1st quantity threshold or Upper 2nd quantity threshold: Small

[0164] When the adjustment range of the sensitivity is "desired to decrease a little", the control device 7 changes the threshold value described in the previous section by a predetermined amount (first predetermined amount). When the adjustment range of the sensitivity is "desired to decrease significantly", the control device 7 changes the threshold value described in the previous section by a larger amount (a second predetermined amount larger than the first predetermined amount) than when "desired to decrease a little".

[0165] When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "stink bug damage", the control device 7 changes the lower first threshold value SL1 and / or the lower first quantity threshold value for the front sensor 23A and the rear sensor 23B.

[0166] When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "burning", the control device 7 changes the lower second threshold value SL2 and / or the lower second quantity threshold value for the front sensor 23A and the rear sensor 23B.

[0167] When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "white / milky / rough," the control device 7 changes the lower first threshold value SL1 and / or the lower first quantity threshold value for the transmission sensor 23C.

[0168] When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "green rice", the control device 7 changes the upper first threshold value SU1 and / or the upper first quantity threshold value for the transmissive sensor 23C.

[0169] When step #209 is completed, step #203 is executed again.

[0170] When "No problem" is selected and input as a result of the test selection (step #205: Yes), the control device 7 displays a screen on the operation display device 6 that suggests a recommended sensitivity and prompts the operator to select and input the subsequent processing (step #210). The current sensitivity (sensitivity after change) is displayed on the screen as "recommended sensitivity," and buttons with the text "Redo" and "Set to this sensitivity" are displayed as options for selecting and inputting the subsequent processing.

[0171] The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #211, #212). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #211: No, step #212: No).

[0172] When the selection input of "redo" is accepted (step #211: Yes), step #204 is executed again.

[0173] When the selection input of "Set to this sensitivity" is accepted (step #212: Yes), the control device 7 displays a screen on the operation display device 6, prompting the operator to select whether to end the process or adjust other sensitivities (step #213). On the screen, buttons with the text "End" and "Adjust other sensitivities" are displayed as targets for selection input.

[0174] The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #214, #215). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #214: No, step #215: No).

[0175] When the selection input of "adjust other sensitivities" is accepted (step #214: Yes), step #201 is executed again.

[0176] When the selection input of "End" is accepted (step #215: Yes), the sensitivity setting process ends.

[0177] Other Embodiments (1) The particulate inspection apparatus may include three or more inspection units 4.

[0178] (2) The change unit 7h may be configured to calculate the time average of the sorting sensitivity in a predetermined period for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and change the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so that the difference between them becomes smaller. By using the calculated time average of the sorting sensitivity, adverse effects due to sudden or accidental changes in the sorting sensitivity are suppressed. The "predetermined period" may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 7f, or may be changed in response to an operation input from an operator. The change unit 7h may be configured to calculate the time average of the sorting sensitivity in a plurality of "predetermined periods".

[0179] (3) The change unit 7h may be configured to change only the set transmission amount of the transmission device 10.

[0180] (4) The change unit 7h may be configured to change at least one of the sorting threshold of each camera 22, the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21, and the sensitivity of each sensor 23, without changing the set transmission amount of the transmission device 10.

[0181] (5) The amount of change in the operating parameter by the change unit 7h may be set in advance, or may be determined each time depending on the magnitude of the difference in the selection sensitivity.

[0182] (6) The change unit 7h may include a machine-learned neural network. For example, the neural network of the change unit 7h may be configured to be machine-learned using the calculated sorting sensitivity, the manner of change of the operation parameter, and the amount of change in the sorting sensitivity due to the change of the operation parameter as teacher data, and to output the amount of change in the operation parameter in response to an input of the current sorting sensitivity.

[0183] (7) The inspection unit 4 may be provided in a plurality of devices. For example, in an inspection system including a plurality of granular material inspection devices, the inspection unit 4 may be provided in a plurality of granular material inspection devices. The inspection unit 4 provided in one granular material inspection device may function as a reference unit, and the inspection unit 4 provided in another granular material inspection device may function as an adjusted unit.

[0184] (8) The control device 7 may activate the notification device 8 to notify the operator that the change unit 7h has changed the operating parameters. [Industrial Applicability]

[0185] The present invention is applicable to a granular material inspection device equipped with a plurality of inspection units, a color sorter, an optical sorter, etc. The present invention is also applicable to a plurality of granular material inspection devices (inspection systems) in which granular material is distributed and supplied from a single supply source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 4: Inspection unit 4L: Left inspection unit (reference unit) 4R: Right inspection unit (adjusted unit) 7h: Change section 10: Delivery device 20:Detection device 21: Lighting equipment 23: Sensor IA: Inspection area

Claims

1. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products; a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit; the delivery device controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on a delivery amount set as an operation parameter of the adjusted unit, the change unit increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit; the detection device detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of the light detected by the sensor is lower than a sorting threshold based on a sorting threshold as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit; A granular material inspection device in which the change unit increases the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit.

2. The granular material inspection device of claim 1, wherein the change unit reduces the set output amount in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is greater than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit.

3. The granular material inspection device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the change unit lowers the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is greater than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit.

4. a plurality of inspection units each of which is configured to inspect the granular material and detect defective products, the inspection unit including a sending device which sends the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor which detects light from the inspection area, a detection device which detects defective products of the granular material based on an output of the sensor, and an illumination device which illuminates the inspection area; a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit; A granular material inspection device, wherein the change unit changes the light emission intensity of the lighting device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

5. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products; a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit; The change unit changes the sensitivity of the sensor as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

6. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products; a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit; the delivery device controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on a delivery amount set as an operation parameter of the adjusted unit, the change unit increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit; The change unit changes the operating parameters of the sending device with priority over the operating parameters of the detection device.

7. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products; a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit; A granular material inspection device in which the change unit calculates the time average of the sorting sensitivity over a predetermined period for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and changes the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference between them.

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