Crop sorting machine

Abstract

To provide a clop selector that facilitates moving work of the clop selector and can be easily stored in a storage site such as storehouse.SOLUTION: A crop selector 1 for transporting and selecting crop, includes: a first function section 200 having a predetermined function; and a second function section 100 having a different function from that of the first function section 200. The first function section 200 and the second function section 100 can be separated from each other and are movable respectively. The first function section 200 and the second function section 100 include respectively moving devices 150, 250 and movement restriction devices 160, 260 that restrict movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crop sorting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a broad bean sorting device for sorting broad beans. This broad bean sorting device includes a vibrating table for conveying the fed broad beans forward and a sorting unit for sorting the broad beans.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Crop sorting machines are mainly used during the crop harvesting period. That is, crop sorting machines are often stored in storage locations such as warehouses during periods other than the harvesting period. Also, crop sorting machines need to be regularly maintained to operate properly during the harvesting period. Therefore, crop sorting machines may be regularly moved from the storage location. However, when the crop sorting machine is large, the moving operation may be difficult. Also, when the crop sorting machine is large, the storage operation into the storage location may be difficult.

[0005] The broad bean sorting device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with fixed support legs. However, it does not facilitate the moving operation of the broad bean sorting device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a crop sorting machine that facilitates the moving operation and the storage operation into the storage location.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The crop sorting machine according to the present invention is a crop sorting machine that transports and sorts crops, comprising a first functional unit having a predetermined function and a second functional unit having a function different from that of the first functional unit, wherein the first functional unit and the second functional unit are separable and movable, and the first functional unit and the second functional unit each comprise a moving device and a movement suppression device for suppressing movement. 、 The first functional unit comprises an oscillating sorting unit that has the function of sorting crops by applying vibration to them being transported, and a machine frame that supports the oscillating sorting unit, and is equipped with a vibration damping mechanism that suppresses the transmission of sorting vibrations to the floor surface. The aforementioned oscillating sorting unit comprises an upper part equipped with a conveying surface for placing and transporting crops, and a lower part that supports the upper part from below. The lower part is provided with a support portion that supports the upper part while allowing vibration, and a mounting portion for attaching the lower part to the aircraft frame. The aforementioned aircraft frame comprises a first frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and supporting the oscillating sorting unit, and a second frame located below the first frame and extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and supporting the first frame. The moving device and the movement restraining device are mounted on the second frame. The vibration isolation mechanism comprises a first vibration isolation member provided between the oscillating sorting unit and the first frame, and a second vibration isolation member provided between the first frame and the second frame. It lies in the fact that...

[0008] This configuration allows for a compact design by separating the functional parts during transport, making it easier to move the unit using a transport device and to store it in its designated location.

[0009]

[0010] When vibrations from the oscillating sorting process are transmitted to the floor, the sound generated by these vibrations can also be transmitted to the floor, potentially causing noise. Furthermore, the moving device may slide sideways. This configuration, however, uses a vibration isolation mechanism to suppress the transmission of sound generated by vibrations to the floor, thereby reducing noise. Additionally, it prevents the moving device from sliding sideways.

[0011]

[0012] moreover, This configuration, compared to a configuration with a single vibration isolation mechanism, can more effectively suppress the transmission of sound generated by vibrations to the floor surface, thereby reducing noise generation. Furthermore, it can more effectively suppress lateral sliding of the moving device. In the present invention, it is preferable that the support portion is composed of a plurality of link members connecting the upper part and the lower part so that the upper part can swing back and forth in the crop transport direction relative to the lower part.

[0013] In the present invention, The aforementionedIt is preferable that the length of the first frame in the front-rear direction is smaller than the length of the second frame in the front-rear direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, vibrations that cannot be completely absorbed by the first vibration damping member are absorbed by the second vibration damping member. Therefore, the sound generated by the vibrations can be more effectively suppressed from being transmitted to the floor surface, and the generation of noise can be more effectively suppressed. Also, the lateral slipping of the moving device can be more effectively suppressed.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first vibration damping member and the second vibration damping member are elastically deformable, and the elastic modulus of the first vibration damping member is smaller than that of the second vibration damping member.

[0016] According to this configuration, the vibrations due to the rocking selection are sequentially transmitted from the first vibration damping member having a smaller elastic modulus than the second vibration damping member to the second vibration damping member. Therefore, the vibrations are gradually absorbed from top to bottom, and the transmission of the vibrations due to the rocking selection to the floor surface can be suppressed.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the movement restraining device is constituted by support legs that can be changed in position in the vertical direction.

[0018] According to this configuration, by changing the position of the support legs upward, the support legs can be moved to a position where the moving device is separated from the floor surface. This facilitates the moving operation. Also, by changing the position of the support legs downward, the support legs can be moved to a position where the moving device contacts the floor surface. Thereby, it is stably supported by the support legs during the sorting operation.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first functional part or the second functional part includes a folding part that can be changed in position between a use position and a storage position.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the folding part is changed in position from the use position to the storage position, a compact configuration is achieved. This facilitates the moving operation by the moving device and also facilitates the storage operation in the storage location.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the function of the second functional unit is a conveying function for conveying the supplied crop to the first functional unit.

[0022] According to this configuration, since it becomes a compact configuration by being separated for each functional unit in the moving operation, the moving operation by the moving device becomes easy, and the housing operation to the housing place becomes easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a right side view showing a crop sorting machine. [Figure 2] It is a right side view showing a swinging sorting device. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing a swinging sorting device. [Figure 4] It is a rear view longitudinal sectional view showing IV-IV of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a rear view longitudinal sectional view showing V-V of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional crop sorting method. [Figure 7] It is a conceptual diagram showing a crop sorting method. [Figure 8] It is a right side view showing a crop sorting machine.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The crop sorting machine according to the present embodiment will be described based on the description in the drawings. In the following description, the direction of arrow F shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is defined as "front of the machine body", the direction of arrow B as "rear of the machine body", the direction of arrow U shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as "above the machine body", the direction of arrow D as "below the machine body", the direction of arrow L shown in FIG. 3 as "left of the machine body", and the direction of arrow R as "right of the machine body".

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the crop sorting machine is an edamame sorting machine 1 that transports and sorts edamame, which is an example of podded fruit covered in pods. The edamame are transported to the edamame sorting machine 1 in a container (not shown). The edamame are fed into the edamame sorting machine 1 along with impurities such as leaves and branches. The edamame are sorted by the edamame sorting machine 1 into impurities, good quality edamame, and defective edamame.

[0026] In this embodiment, a good product is defined as one or both of the following: the fruit inside the pod has grown to a certain size, and multiple fruits are covered by the pod. A defective product is defined as one or both of the following: the fruit inside the pod is smaller than a certain size and immature (immature pod), and the pod contains only one fruit (single-fruit pod).

[0027] [Overall structure] In Figure 1, the rear of the machine is considered the upstream side, and the front of the machine is considered the downstream side. As shown in Figure 1, the edamame sorting machine 1 comprises a supply and conveying device 100 that transports edamame from the upstream side to the downstream side, an oscillating sorting device 200 that transports edamame from the upstream side to the downstream side and sorts them by oscillating motion, and a control unit 300 that controls the entire device. The oscillating sorting device 200 is located downstream of the supply and conveying device 100.

[0028] The supply and conveying device 100 includes a moving device 150 and a movement suppression device 160. The moving device 150 is a device that enables the movement of the supply and conveying device 100. The movement suppression device 160 is a device that suppresses the movement of the supply and conveying device 100. The oscillating sorting device 200 also includes a moving device 250 and a movement suppression device 260. The moving device 250 is a device that enables the movement of the oscillating sorting device 200. The movement suppression device 260 is a device that suppresses the movement of the supply and conveying device 100. The supply and conveying device 100 and the oscillating sorting device 200 are separable and can be moved independently. This makes the edamame sorting machine 1 more compact and easier to move compared to a configuration in which the supply and conveying device 100 and the oscillating sorting device 200 are an integrated and inseparable unit.

[0029] [Supply and conveying equipment] As shown in Figure 1, the supply and conveying device 100 includes a supply unit 110 into which edamame beans are fed, a conveying unit 120 that conveys the edamame beans supplied from the supply unit 110 to the downstream side, an air sorting unit 130 that sorts the edamame beans conveyed from the conveying unit 120 using sorting air, and a machine frame unit 140 that supports the supply unit 110, the conveying unit 120, and the air sorting unit 130. The conveying unit 120 is located downstream of the supply unit 110. The air sorting unit 130 is located downstream of the conveying unit 120. The machine frame unit 140 extends in the front-rear direction and is located below the supply unit 110, the conveying unit 120, and the air sorting unit 130.

[0030] The supply and transport device 100 includes a supply table 170 on which a container (not shown) can be placed. The supply table 170 includes a mounting member 171 on which a container (not shown) is placed, left and right support arms 172 that support the mounting member 171, and a fixing member 173 that supports the support arms 172 so as to be able to swing around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the machine. The supply table 170 is located adjacent to the supply unit 110. The base end of the mounting member 171 is pivotable around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the machine. As a result, the supply table 170 can be repositioned between a usage position P1 in which the mounting member 171 extends parallel to the floor surface and a storage position P2 in which the mounting member 171 extends upward perpendicular to the floor surface.

[0031] The base end of the support arm 172 can be selectively connected to a plurality of holes (not shown) formed in the fixing member 173. By changing the hole (not shown) to which the base end of the support arm 172 is connected, the mounting member 171 is supported by the support arm 172 in either the usage position P1 or the storage position P2. The support arm 172 is fixed to the fixing member 173 by rotating the fixing handle (not shown) in the tightening direction. As a result, the mounting member 171 is fixed in place in either the usage position P1 or the storage position P2.

[0032] The moving device 150 is composed of casters (wheels). In this embodiment, the moving device 150 is a series of wheels that rotate with a horizontal axis. The movement restraining device 160 is composed of support legs that can be repositioned in the vertical direction. The movement restraining device 160 is connected to the machine frame 140. In this embodiment, the movement restraining device 160 is an adjuster having a male screw portion (not shown) at its upper part. The movement restraining device 160 is screwed into a female screw portion (not shown) formed at the lower part of the machine frame 140. The movement restraining device 160 rises when the male screw portion (not shown) is rotated in the tightening direction. The movement restraining device 160 descends when the male screw portion (not shown) is rotated in the loosening direction.

[0033] [Supply section] As shown in Figure 1, the supply unit 110 includes a box-shaped input section 111 into which edamame beans are fed, a first conveyor 112 forming the bottom of the input section 111, and an electric motor 113 with a variable speed function that transmits power to the first conveyor 112. The electric motor 113 includes a power cable with a plug and a control cable connected to the control unit 300. The electric motor 113 is supported by the machine frame section 140. The electric motor 113 is located on the right side in the direction of transport (right side of the machine). The electric motor 113 transmits power to the first conveyor 112 via a pulley (not shown) and a chain (not shown) wound around the pulley.

[0034] The first conveyor 112 is a flat belt type belt conveyor. The first conveyor 112 extends in a straight line along the front-to-back direction of the machine. The conveying surface of the first conveyor 112 rises as it approaches the transport section 120. Since the edamame are fed into the supply section 110 all at once from the container (not shown), the edamame on the first conveyor 112 become piled high. As a result, the amount of edamame being transported by the first conveyor 112 may temporarily become excessive. Of the piled edamame fed into the first conveyor 112 from the container (not shown), the edamame in contact with the conveying surface are transported downstream, but the edamame above that are not in contact with the conveying surface fall upstream due to the slope. As a result, the amount of edamame being transported from the first conveyor 112, and thus the amount being transported by the transport section 120, is appropriate.

[0035] [Conveying section] As shown in Figure 1, the conveying unit 120 includes a second conveyor 121 that conveys edamame from the first conveyor 112 to the wind sorting unit 130, a housing 122 that houses the second conveyor 121, and an electric motor 123 with a variable speed function that transmits power to the second conveyor 121. The electric motor 123 includes a power cable with a power plug and a control cable connected to the control unit 300. The electric motor 123 is supported by the machine frame 140. The electric motor 123 is located on the left side in the direction of conveying (left side of the machine). The electric motor 123 transmits power to the second conveyor 121 via a pulley (not shown) and a chain (not shown) wound around the pulley.

[0036] The second conveyor 121 extends linearly along the front-to-back direction of the machine. The conveying surface of the second conveyor 121 rises as it approaches the air sorting section 130. The second conveyor 121 is equipped with crossbar members 121b that extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface. Multiple crossbar members 121b are formed at intervals in the conveying direction.

[0037] [Wind separation section] As shown in Figure 1, the air sorting unit 130 includes a fan 131, a cylindrical air passage 132 that guides the sorting air from the fan 131, a discharge unit 133 that ejects the edamame downstream, a discharge unit 134 that discharges impurities such as leaf debris, and an electric motor 135 that transmits power to the fan 131. The electric motor 135 includes a power cable with an outlet plug and a control cable that is connected to the control unit 300.

[0038] Edamame beans are dispensed from the end of the second conveyor 121 towards the dispensing section 133. The fan 131 is located below the end of the second conveyor 121. The ventilation passage 132 is formed above the fan 131 and extends upward. The ventilation passage 132 is connected to the discharge section 134. The dispensing section 133 is formed below the end of the second conveyor 121. The fan 131 blows sorting air onto the edamame beans from below. This blows lighter impurities such as leaf debris upward, which are then discharged to the outside through the discharge section 134 and collected in a discharge bag (not shown). Heavier edamame beans are dispensed into the dispensing section 133. Thus, the edamame beans are separated from impurities such as leaf debris.

[0039] [Oscillating sorting device] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the oscillating sorting device 200 includes an oscillating sorting unit 210 that sorts edamame conveyed from the supply and conveying device 100, a machine frame 220 that supports the oscillating sorting unit 210, a sheet member 240 that guides the edamame being dispensed into a container (not shown), and left and right sheet support members 270 that support the sheet member 240. The machine frame 220 extends in the front-rear direction and is located below the oscillating sorting unit 210. The upper end on the upstream side of the machine frame 220 is higher than the upper end on the downstream side. As a result, the oscillating sorting unit 210 is supported in a downward-sloping position towards the downstream side, making it easier for the edamame to be conveyed downstream.

[0040] The moving device 250 is composed of casters (wheels). In this embodiment, the moving device 250 is a series of wheels that rotate with a horizontal axis. The movement restraining device 260 is composed of support legs that can be repositioned in the vertical direction. The movement restraining device 260 is connected to the machine frame 220. In this embodiment, the movement restraining device 260 is an adjuster having a male screw portion (not shown) at its upper part. The movement restraining device 260 is screwed into a female screw portion (not shown) formed at the lower part of the machine frame 220. The movement restraining device 260 rises when the male screw portion (not shown) is rotated in the tightening direction. The movement restraining device 260 descends when the male screw portion (not shown) is rotated in the loosening direction.

[0041] [Sheet support member] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seat support members 270 are rod-shaped members. The left seat support member 270 is supported on the front of the left aircraft frame section 220. The right seat support member 270 is supported on the front of the right aircraft frame section 220. The seat support members 270 are supported on the aircraft frame section 220 in a state that allows them to swing in the horizontal plane. The seat support members 270 can be repositioned between a usage position P1 in which the left and right seat support members 270 extend forward, and a storage position P2 in which the left and right seat support members 270 extend in a direction that brings them closer to each other in a plan view.

[0042] [Oscillating sorting section] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the oscillating sorting unit 210 comprises an upper part 211 located above, a lower part 212 located below, an oscillating mechanism 213 that oscillates the upper part 211, a plurality of link members 214 that connect the upper part 211 and the lower part 212 to form a parallel four-bar link, and an electric motor 215 that transmits power to the oscillating mechanism 213. The electric motor 215 is equipped with a power cable with a plug and a control cable connected to the control unit 300. The oscillating mechanism 213 converts the rotational motion transmitted from the electric motor 215 into linear motion along the conveying direction to oscillate the upper part 211. The edamame beans are sorted into impurities, good products, and defective products, and each is placed into a different container (not shown).

[0043] The upper part 211 includes left and right side members 211c extending in the front-rear direction, an alignment member 211a supported by the side members 211c for aligning edamame beans, a sorting member 211b supported by the side members 211c for oscillating sorting the edamame beans, and a connecting member 211d connecting the left and right side members 211c. The upper part 211 is supported by the lower part 212 via a link member 214 in a position that descends as it moves downstream. At this time, the alignment member 211a and sorting member 211b of the upper part 211, which is supported by the lower part 212 via the link member 214, constitute a transport surface on which crops are placed, transported, and sorted.

[0044] The alignment member 211a is formed by bending a plate-shaped member to create grooves and depressions. The grooves of the alignment member 211a extend along the conveying direction. By being conveyed along the grooves of the alignment member 211a, the edamame beans are aligned so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction. The alignment member 211a is located upstream of the sorting member 211b.

[0045] The sorting member 211b is formed by a plurality of rod-shaped members extending along the conveying direction (see Figure 5). The plurality of rod-shaped members (sorting member 211b) are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Vibration by the oscillating mechanism 213 causes the edamame to fall from between the plurality of rod-shaped members (sorting member 211b) along the sheet member 240. The fallen edamame are stored in different containers (not shown) for impurities, good products, and defective products. In this way, the edamame are sorted into impurities, good products, and defective products.

[0046] The lower section 212 comprises left and right side members 212a extending in the front-rear direction, and a connecting member 212b connecting the left and right side members 212a. The side members 212a are formed in a downward sloping shape, decreasing towards the downstream side. The electric motor 215 is suspended and supported by the connecting member 212b. A drive pulley 216 is provided on the output shaft 213d of the electric motor 215.

[0047] The link member 214 comprises a first shaft 214a connected to the upper part 211, a second shaft 214b connected to the lower part 212, and a connecting member 214c that connects the first shaft 214a and the second shaft 214b. The connecting member 214c rotatably supports the first shaft 214a. The connecting member 214c swings around the axis of the second shaft 214b. As shown in Figure 2, the first shaft 214a and the second shaft 214b are provided at two locations on the upper part 211 in the crop transport direction, and are connected at these two locations by a plurality of connecting members 214c. These plurality of connecting members 214c constitute a support section that supports the upper part 211 so that it can swing back and forth in the crop transport direction relative to the lower part 212.

[0048] [Oscillating mechanism] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rocking mechanism 213 includes an input shaft 213a to which power from the electric motor 215 is input, a guide member 213b that fixes the position of the input shaft 213a, an eccentric cam member 213c provided on the input shaft 213a, and an output shaft 213d that extends from the eccentric cam member 213c in the conveying direction.

[0049] The input shaft 213a extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The input shaft 213a is driven around its axis. An eccentric cam member 213c is provided at one end of the input shaft 213a. A driven pulley 217 is provided at the other end of the input shaft 213a. Power is transmitted to the driven pulley 217 from the drive pulley 216 via the belt 218.

[0050] The rotational motion from the input shaft 213a is converted into linear motion by the eccentric cam member 213c and output to the output shaft 213d. The connecting member 212b (upper part 211) reciprocates along the conveying direction via the output shaft 213d.

[0051] The oscillating sorting unit 210 is oscillated along the conveying direction by the output of a linear motion from the oscillating mechanism 213 to the upper part 211, which is supported by the lower part 212 via the link member 214.

[0052] [Aircraft frame section] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the machine frame section 220 includes a first frame 221 extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and supporting the oscillating sorting section 210, a second frame 222 extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and supporting the first frame 221, and a vibration damping mechanism 230 that suppresses the transmission of vibrations caused by oscillating sorting to the floor surface. The second frame 222 is located below the first frame 221. The longitudinal length L1 of the first frame 221 is smaller than the longitudinal length L2 of the second frame 222.

[0053] The first frame 221 comprises left and right side frames 221a extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, and a connecting frame 221b connecting the side frames 221a. The side frames 221a are formed in a Z-shape in side view, with a step difference between the upstream and downstream sides. The side frames 221a are formed so that the height is greater on the upstream side.

[0054] The second frame 222 comprises left and right side frames 222a extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, left and right first longitudinal frames 222b extending in the vertical direction, left and right second longitudinal frames 222c extending in the vertical direction, and left and right third longitudinal frames 222d extending in the vertical direction. The first longitudinal frames 222b are connected to the front of the side frames 222a. The second longitudinal frames 222c are located downstream of the first longitudinal frames 222b. The third longitudinal frames 222d are connected to the rear of the side frames 222a. The third longitudinal frames 222d are located downstream of the second longitudinal frames 222c.

[0055] The upper end of the first vertical frame 222b is connected to the vibration isolation mechanism 230. The lower end of the first vertical frame 222b is connected to the moving device 250 and the movement suppression device 260. The upper end of the second vertical frame 222c is connected to the vibration isolation mechanism 230. The lower end of the second vertical frame 222c is connected to the side frame 222a. The upper end of the third vertical frame 222d is connected to the vibration isolation mechanism 230. The lower end of the third vertical frame 222d is connected to the moving device 250 and the movement suppression device 260. The vertical length of the first vertical frame 222b is greater than the vertical length of the third vertical frame 222d.

[0056] [Vibration isolation mechanism] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the machine frame section 220 is equipped with multiple vibration isolation mechanisms 230. The vibration isolation mechanism 230 comprises a first vibration isolation member 231 and a second vibration isolation member 232. The first vibration isolation member 231 and the second vibration isolation member 232 are elastically deformable. The first vibration isolation member 231 is made of vibration-damping rubber. That is, the first vibration isolation member 231 absorbs vibrations by the deformation of the vibration-damping rubber. The first vibration isolation member 231 is provided between the oscillating sorting section 210 and the first frame 221. In a plan view, the first vibration isolation member 231 is placed on the four corners of the first frame 221.

[0057] The second vibration-damping member 232 comprises a plurality of spring members 232a placed on the second frame 222, a casing 232b housing the plurality of spring members 232a, and a position fixing part 232c connecting the casing 232b to the second frame 222. The spring members 232a are composed of compression coil springs. That is, the second vibration-damping member 232 absorbs vibrations by the deformation of the compression coil springs. The position fixing part 232c is composed of bolts. The second vibration-damping member 232 is provided between the first frame 221 and the second frame 222. In a plan view, the second vibration-damping member 232 is placed on the four corners of the second frame 222.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first vibration-damping member 231 is configured to have a lower modulus of elasticity than the second vibration-damping member 232. In other words, the first vibration-damping member 231 is configured to be softer overall than the second vibration-damping member 232. Furthermore, since the first vibration-damping member 231 absorbs vibrations through the deformation of the vibration-damping rubber, it can dampen vibrations faster than the second vibration-damping member 232.

[0059] The length of the oscillating sorting unit 210 in the left-right direction is less than the length of the first frame 221 in the left-right direction. In the left-right direction of the machine body, the outer end of the first frame 221 is located inside the machine body more than the outer end of the second vibration-damping member 232. In the left-right direction of the machine body, the outer end of the first vibration-damping member 231 is located inside the machine body more than the outer end of the second vibration-damping member 232. Therefore, the oscillating sorting unit 210, the first frame 221, and the first vibration-damping member 231 are located within the width from the left outer end of the second vibration-damping member 232 to the right outer end of the second vibration-damping member 232 in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0060] The "first functional unit" described in the claims corresponds to the oscillating sorting device 200 in the embodiment. The function of the oscillating sorting device 200, which is the first functional unit, is the oscillating sorting function for sorting crops by oscillating, as described above. The "second functional unit" described in the claims corresponds to the supply and conveying device 100 in the embodiment. The function of the supply and conveying device 100, which is the second functional unit, is the conveying function for conveying the supplied crops to the first functional unit, as described above. The "folding unit" described in the claims corresponds to the supply table 170 and the sheet support member 270 in the embodiment.

[0061] [Another embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, it may be configured as in the following alternative embodiments. In the alternative embodiments described below, components identical to those in the embodiments are denoted by the same numbers and reference numerals as in the embodiments.

[0062] (1) In the above embodiment, the edamame sorter 1 comprises a supply and conveying device 100 and an oscillating sorting device 200. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the edamame sorter 1 may also comprise a supply and conveying device 100, an oscillating sorting device 200, an edamame washing device 500 for washing and dewatering the edamame, and a color sorting device 400 for sorting the edamame based on predetermined colors. The edamame sorting method includes an air sorting and oscillating sorting step in which the edamame are conveyed and air sorted and oscillating sorted, a washing and dewatering step in which the edamame are washed and dewatered by the edamame washing device 500, and a color sorting step in which the edamame are conveyed and color sorted by the color sorting device 400.

[0063] Conventionally, as shown in Figure 6, crop sorting was carried out in the following order: washing / dewatering process, wind sorting / oscillating sorting process, and color sorting process. In the washing / dewatering process, if impurities such as leaf debris and branches get mixed into the edamame washing device 500, it can cause clogging of the edamame washing device 500 or a decrease in washing capacity. Also, in the washing / dewatering process, impurities that are wet become heavier. As a result, in the wind sorting / oscillating sorting process, impurities may not be blown away by the wind sorting unit 130 and may be transported together with good products. In other words, impurities may get mixed in with good products. Furthermore, in the color sorting process, if impurities such as leaf debris that are the same color as good products get mixed in, the sorting accuracy of the color sorting unit 410 may decrease. The inventors focused on this point and conducted thorough research, leading to the current configuration.

[0064] As shown in Figure 7, the edamame sorting machine 1 is arranged from upstream to downstream in the following order: supply and conveying device 100, oscillating sorting device 200, edamame washing device 500, and color sorting device 400. This allows the sorting of crops to be carried out in the order of wind sorting / oscillating sorting, washing / dewatering, and color sorting. In other words, the edamame can be sorted into impurities, good products, and defective products upstream of the washing / dewatering and color sorting processes. Therefore, clogging of the edamame washing device 500 can be suppressed, and the sorting work by the supply and conveying device 100 and color sorting device 400 can be performed with high accuracy.

[0065] (2) In the above embodiment, the edamame sorter 1 comprises a supply and conveying device 100 and an oscillating sorting device 200. As shown in Figure 8, the edamame sorter 1 may also comprise a supply and conveying device 100 and a color sorting device 400 that sorts edamame based on predetermined colors. The color sorting device 400 comprises a color sorting unit 410 that sorts edamame by projecting light onto the edamame and receiving the reflected light. The color sorting device 400 is located downstream of the supply and conveying device 100. The color sorting device 400 comprises a moving device 420 and a moving suppression device 430 that suppresses movement. The supply and conveying device 100 and the color sorting device 400 are separable and each is movable.

[0066] In this embodiment, the "first functional unit" described in the claims corresponds to the color sorting device 400.

[0067] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the supply and conveying device 100 includes a supply unit 110, a conveying unit 120, and an air separation unit 130. However, the supply and conveying device 100 may not include the air separation unit 130 and may instead include only the supply unit 110 and the conveying unit 120.

[0068] (4) The supply and transport device 100 does not have to include a supply table 170. In that case, the “folding section” described in the claims corresponds to the sheet support member 270 in the embodiment.

[0069] Furthermore, the oscillating sorting device 200 does not necessarily have to include a sheet support member 270. In that case, the "folding section" described in the claims corresponds to the supply table 170 in the embodiment.

[0070]

[0071] (6) The first vibration-damping member 231 may take any form. For example, the first vibration-damping member 231 may be made up of a coil spring.

[0072] Furthermore, the second vibration isolation member 232 can take any form. For example, the second vibration isolation member 232 may be made of vibration-damping rubber.

[0073] (7) In the embodiments described above, the moving devices 150 and 250 are a series of wheels that rotate under the influence of a horizontal axis. The form of the moving devices 150 and 250 is not limited thereto. For example, the moving devices 150 and 250 may be a pair of wheels provided on one axis. Alternatively, the moving devices 150 and 250 may be wheels provided on multiple axes. Furthermore, the moving devices 150 and 250 may be ball casters equipped with spherical members that can roll on the floor surface.

[0074] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the movement restraint devices 160 and 260 are composed of support legs that can be repositioned in the vertical direction. The form of the movement restraint devices 160 and 260 is not limited to this. For example, the movement restraint devices 160 and 260 may be brakes that act on the movement devices 150 and 250.

[0075] Furthermore, the movement restraining devices 160 and 260 can be configured in any way as long as their position can be changed in the vertical direction. For example, they may be configured to be able to change their position in the vertical direction by means of a gas cylinder or a cam mechanism.

[0076] (9) In the above-described embodiment, the length L1 of the first frame 221 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the length L2 of the second frame 222 in the front-rear direction. The lengths of the first frame 221 and the second frame 222 are not limited to this. For example, the length L1 of the first frame 221 in the front-rear direction may be the same as the length L2 of the second frame 222 in the front-rear direction.

[0077] (10) In the above-described embodiment, the first conveyor 112 is a belt conveyor equipped with a flat belt type endless belt 112a. The form of the first conveyor 112 is not limited thereto. For example, the first conveyor 112 may be equipped with crossbar members extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface.

[0078] (11) In the above-described embodiment, the first conveyor 112 and the second conveyor 121 extend in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the machine body. The form of the first conveyor 112 and the second conveyor 121 is not limited to this. For example, the first conveyor 112 and the second conveyor 121 may be curved or bent.

[0079] (12) In this embodiment, the conveying surface of the second conveyor 121 rises as it approaches the air separation section 130. The form of the second conveyor 121 is not limited to this. For example, the conveying surface of the second conveyor 121 may extend horizontally toward the downstream side.

[0080] (13) In the above embodiment, the supply unit 110 is equipped with an electric motor 113 that transmits power to the first conveyor 112, and the transport unit 120 is equipped with an electric motor 123 that transmits power to the second conveyor 121. However, the first conveyor 112 and the second conveyor 121 may be powered by a single electric motor.

[0081] (14) In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 300 controls the entire apparatus. However, multiple control units 300 may individually control the supply and transport device 100 and the oscillating sorting device 200.

[0082] (15) In this embodiment, the crop sorter is an edamame sorter 1, and the crop is edamame. The crop sorter is not limited to this; it may also be a legume sorter that sorts other legumes such as kidney beans or peanuts. In this case, the crop is a legume. The crop sorter may also be a vegetable sorter that sorts vegetables such as potatoes or onions. In this case, the crop is a vegetable.

[0083] (16) The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, insofar as they do not cause a contradiction, and the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0084] This invention is applicable to crop sorting machines. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1: Edamame sorting machine (crop sorting machine) 100: Supply and conveying device (second functional unit) 150: Mobile device 160: Movement suppression device 170: Supply stand (folding part) 200: Oscillating sorting device (first functional unit) 210: Oscillating sorting unit 220: Aircraft frame section 221: First Frame 222: Second Frame 230: Vibration isolation mechanism 231: First vibration isolation member 232: Second vibration isolation member 250: Mobile device 260: Movement suppression device 270: Seat support member (folding part) 300: Control Unit P1: Usage position P2: Storage location

Claims

1. A crop sorting machine that transports and sorts crops, A first functional unit having a predetermined function, It comprises a second functional unit having a different function from the first functional unit, The first functional unit and the second functional unit are separable and movable, The first functional unit and the second functional unit each include a moving device and a moving restraining device that restrains movement, The first functional unit comprises an oscillating sorting unit that has the function of sorting crops by applying vibration to them being transported, and a machine frame that supports the oscillating sorting unit, and is equipped with a vibration damping mechanism that suppresses the transmission of sorting vibrations to the floor surface. The aforementioned oscillating sorting unit comprises an upper part equipped with a conveying surface for placing and transporting crops, and a lower part that supports the upper part from below. The lower part is provided with a support portion that supports the upper part while allowing vibration, and a mounting portion for attaching the lower part to the aircraft frame. The aforementioned aircraft frame comprises a first frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and supporting the oscillating sorting unit, and a second frame located below the first frame and extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and supporting the first frame. The moving device and the movement restraining device are mounted on the second frame. The vibration isolation mechanism comprises a first vibration isolation member provided between the oscillating sorting unit and the first frame, and a second vibration isolation member provided between the first frame and the second frame, in a crop sorting machine.

2. The crop sorting machine according to Claim 1, wherein the support portion is composed of a plurality of link members connecting the upper portion and the lower portion such that the upper portion can swing back and forth in the crop transport direction relative to the lower portion.

3. The crop sorting machine according to Claim 1, wherein the length of the first frame in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the length of the second frame in the front-to-back direction.

4. The first vibration-damping member and the second vibration-damping member are elastically deformable. The crop sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein the first vibration-damping member has a smaller modulus of elasticity than the second vibration-damping member.

5. The crop sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein the movement restraining device is composed of support legs that can be moved up and down.

6. The crop sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first functional unit or the second functional unit is provided with a folding part that can be repositioned between a usage position and a storage position.

7. The crop sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein the function of the second functional unit is a conveying function that conveys the supplied crops to the first functional unit.

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