Crop sorting device

Abstract

To provide an agricultural product selecting device that prevents a plurality of agricultural products from overlapping with each other, at front and rear sides in a conveying direction in the course of conveying the plurality of agricultural products, and prevents the agricultural products from positionally shifting.SOLUTION: An agricultural product selecting device 1 comprises conveying means 4 that conveys a plurality of agricultural products 2 and selecting means 6 that selects respective qualities of the agricultural products 2 in the course of conveying the agricultural products 2 by the conveying means 4. The conveying means 4 is a roller conveyor in which a plurality of rollers 44 are rotatably provided, where an alignment section 202 for aligning the plurality of agricultural products is set at an upstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying means 4. The roller conveyor as the conveying means 4 is provided with driving means (11 and 12) which allow the plurality of rollers 44, passing through the alignment section 202, to respectively rotate alternately in a forward direction and in a backward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes "In an egg aligning device that divides randomly supplied eggs into a predetermined number of columns (6 columns or 12 columns), while adjusting the feeding speed of the eggs by a plurality of conveyor belts arranged in series in the conveying direction by a conveyor control unit for each of the plurality of conveyor belts, the eggs are aligned so as not to bulge in the vertical direction."

[0003] Also, in this Patent Document 1, it is described that "When the bulging of the eggs in the conveyor belt arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction among the plurality of conveyor belts is detected by a sensor, the feeding speed of the eggs by the conveyor belt arranged on the downstream side of the conveyor belt is set to be decreased by the conveyor control unit for the conveyor belt."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above Patent Document 1, since the aligning device has a configuration in which a plurality of conveyor belts are arranged in series in the conveying direction, when the eggs are transferred from the conveyor belt arranged on the upstream side to the conveyor belt arranged on the downstream side, the eggs may roll and their positions may shift. Also, the occupied space of the entire aligning device in the conveying direction is long.

[0006] Incidentally, if the aforementioned alignment device is used to determine whether the quality (appearance, internal structure) of agricultural products to be transported on a conveyor located downstream in the transport direction is substandard, then if a positional misalignment occurs, as in the alignment device described in Patent Document 1, it becomes impossible to accurately recognize the position of the agricultural products that have been determined to be substandard. In that case, the substandard agricultural products will be missed.

[0007] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a crop sorting device that prevents multiple crops from overlapping in the forward and backward directions during the transport process of multiple crops, and also prevents the crops from shifting position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a crop sorting device comprising a conveying means for transporting a plurality of crops, and a selection means for selecting the quality of each crop along the transport direction of the crops by the conveying means, wherein the conveying means is a roller conveyor on which a plurality of rollers are provided so as to be able to rotate, and an alignment section for aligning a plurality of crops is provided on the upstream side of the transport direction of the conveying means and upstream side of the selection means, and the roller conveyor as a conveying means is provided with a drive means for rotating each of the plurality of rollers passing through the alignment section alternately in the forward and reverse directions. The crops, placed between the two front and rear rollers that rotate in opposite directions, are held immovably so as not to roll and shift position. It is characterized by the fact that...

[0009] According to this configuration, in the alignment section, every other roller (for example, odd-numbered rollers) on the roller conveyor as the transporting means rotates in the forward direction (for example, forward rotation), while every other roller (for example) on the roller conveyor as the transporting means Each of the even-numbered rollers can be made to rotate in the opposite direction (for example, reversed).

[0010] In this way, by rotating the odd-numbered rollers and the even-numbered rollers in alternating directions, the crops placed between the two rollers rotating in alternating directions are held in place so as not to roll and shift position.

[0011] In particular, if the crop placed between the two rollers is elongated, such as an ellipse, the orientation of the crop between the two rollers will be changed so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the central axis of the rollers (referred to as a lateral orientation).

[0012] This prevents the multiple crops from overlapping in the forward and backward directions of transport within the alignment section. As a result, the selection by the selection means can be accurately performed along the transport direction of the crops by the transport means.

[0013] By the way, in the above-mentioned crop sorting device, the drive means can be configured to include a forward rotation drive means that rotates each of the alternate rollers in the forward direction, and a reverse rotation drive means that rotates each of the remaining alternate rollers in the reverse direction.

[0014] With this configuration, every other roller (for example, odd-numbered rollers) in the roller conveyor as a conveying means and every other roller (for example, even-numbered rollers) in the roller conveyor as a conveying means can be driven separately.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-described crop sorting device, the forward rotation drive means may be installed on one side in the direction of the central axis of the roller, and the reverse rotation drive means may be installed on the other side in the direction of the central axis of the roller.

[0016] According to this configuration, since the forward rotation driving means and the reverse rotation driving means can be installed separately at left and right positions sandwiching the roller conveyor as the conveying means, the installation property is improved compared to the case where the forward rotation driving means and the reverse rotation driving means are installed offset to one side or the other side in the central axis direction of the roller.

[0017] Further, in the above crop sorting device, the forward rotation driving means includes a chain engaged with a sprocket attached to one side in the central axis direction at the rotation axis of each other roller, and a motor for rotationally driving this chain, and the reverse rotation driving means includes a chain engaged with a sprocket attached to the other side in the central axis direction at the rotation axis of each remaining roller, and a motor for rotationally driving this chain, and can be configured as such.

[0018] In this configuration, the configurations of the forward rotation driving means and the reverse rotation driving means are specifically specified.

[0019] Further, in the above crop sorting device, the forward rotation driving means and the reverse rotation driving means can each be configured to be capable of adjusting the rotation speed.

[0020] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately adjust the forward rotation speed and the reverse rotation speed of the roller based on the types of the plurality of crops and the conveyed quantity and the like.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a crop sorting device that prevents a plurality of crops from overlapping in the front and rear in the conveying direction and prevents displacement of the crops during the conveying process of the plurality of crops.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of a crop sorting device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the alignment means. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing the configurations of the external photographing means and the internal photographing means. [Figure 4] It is a timing chart for explaining the driving timings of the external photographing means and the internal photographing means. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the instruction form of the instruction means. [Figure 6] In FIG. 1, it is a top view schematically showing the configuration related to the driving means of the rollers from the alignment section to the measurement section. [Figure 7] It is a view of the roller, the first forward driving means, and the reverse driving means in FIG. 6 as seen from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. [Figure 8] It is a side view for explaining the rotation state of the rollers in the alignment section. [Figure 9] It is a side view schematically showing the configurations of the first and second forward driving means and the reverse driving means. [Figure 10] It is a top view for explaining the posture of the agricultural crops in the alignment section. [Figure 11] It is a side view for explaining the rotation state of the rollers on the upstream side (appearance quality determination section) of the measurement section. [Figure 12] It is a side view for explaining another rotation state of the rollers in the alignment section. [Figure 13] In FIG. 1, it is a top view schematically showing another configuration related to the driving means of the rollers from the alignment section to the take-out section. [Figure 14] It is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the forced stop means. [Figure 15] In FIG. 1, it is a top view schematically showing still another configuration related to the driving means of the rollers from the alignment section to the take-out section. [Figure 16] It is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the forced stop means in FIG. 15.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Figures 1 to 11 show an embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, 1 shows the entire crop sorting device.

[0025] This crop sorting device 1 is configured to determine the quality of crops 2, such as potatoes or oranges (for example, color, size, presence or absence of blemishes and rot, and the state of blemishes and rot), and to remove crops 2 that are determined to be substandard in quality.

[0026] This crop sorting device 1 includes a supply means 3, a conveying means 4, an alignment means 5, a selection means 6, a removal means 7, an instruction means 8, an adjustment means 9, and the like. These are controlled by control means (not shown).

[0027] The supply means 3 is located in the supply section 201 upstream of the transport means 4, and stores, for example, agricultural products 2 before sorting. This supply means 3 is, for example, a container.

[0028] The conveying means 4 is used to transport the multiple agricultural products 2 supplied from the supply means 3, and is, for example, a roller conveyor.

[0029] This transport means 4 consists of a pair of left and right drive sprockets 41 and a pair of left and right driven sprockets 4 2. It is equipped with a pair of left and right chains 43, multiple rollers 44, a motor 45, and the like.

[0030] The left and right pair of drive sprockets 41 are located on the downstream side in the direction of transporting the crops 2. The left and right pair of driven sprockets 42 are located on the upstream side in the direction of transporting the crops 2.

[0031] The left and right pair of chains 43 are wrapped around the drive sprocket 41 and the driven sprocket 42, and are arranged to face each other, separated and parallel to each other in the lateral direction.

[0032] Multiple rollers 44 are rotatably mounted between opposing left and right chains 43, and the longitudinal direction of each roller 44 is aligned with a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (width direction).

[0033] The motor 45 rotates the chain 43 by rotating a drive sprocket 41 fixed to its output shaft (not shown).

[0034] On the rollers 44 of this conveying means 4, a supply section 201, an alignment section 202, a rotation direction switching section 203, a measurement section 204, and an extraction section 205 are assigned from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the agricultural products 2.

[0035] The alignment means 5 is provided in the alignment section 202 upstream of the conveying means 4, and separates the crops 2 supplied randomly from the supply means 3 in the conveying direction and aligns them in a line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (lateral direction).

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, this alignment means 5 includes a diffusion roller conveyor 51 and a partitioning means 52.

[0037] The diffusion roller conveyor 51 receives multiple crops 2 from the supply means 3 and sends the multiple crops 2 toward the transport means 4 while scattering them in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and has basically the same configuration as the roller conveyor which is the transport means 4.

[0038] The external dimensions of the chain 511 of this diffusion roller conveyor 51 are significantly shorter than those of the roller conveyor used as a conveying means 4, but the external dimensions of the rollers 512 of the diffusion roller conveyor 51 and the spacing between each roller 512 are the same as those of the roller conveyor used as a conveying means 4.

[0039] The diffusion roller conveyor 51 is adjusted to send multiple crops 2 toward the conveying means 4 at half the conveying speed of the roller conveyor 4. However, the speed of the diffusion roller conveyor 51 is not limited to half the conveying speed of the roller conveyor 4, but can be set arbitrarily to, for example, 1 / 4 or 1 / 8.

[0040] The partitioning means 52 is designed to position the agricultural products 2 sent from the diffusion roller conveyor 51 between two adjacent rollers 44 of the roller conveyor 4, which is a conveying means 4, when these two rollers are considered as virtual pairs, and is provided above the conveying surface of the conveying means 4.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the partitioning mechanism 52 includes a pair of left and right upstream sprockets 521, a pair of left and right downstream sprockets 522, a pair of left and right ring-shaped chain members 523, a partitioning member 524, and the like.

[0042] The left and right pair of upstream sprockets 521 and the left and right pair of downstream sprockets 522 are arranged to face each other and be spaced apart in the conveying direction. The side sprocket 522 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

[0043] The left and right pair of chains 523 are wrapped around the left and right pair of upstream sprockets 521 and the left and right pair of downstream sprockets 522, and are arranged to face each other, separated and parallel in the lateral direction.

[0044] The partition members 524 are attached to multiple locations on the chain 523 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, so as to protrude radially outward.

[0045] The spacing between each of these partition members 524 is set to a length that sandwiches two adjacent rollers 44 in the roller conveyor, which serves as the conveying means 4.

[0046] The selection means 6 is located in the measurement section 204 above the conveying means 4, and determines whether the quality of the agricultural products 2 being conveyed by the conveying means 4 is substandard, and also recognizes the location of the substandard agricultural products 2.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, the selection means 6 includes an external imaging means 61, an internal imaging means 62, a determination means 63, a recognition means 64, and so on.

[0048] The exterior imaging means 61 consists of a first light source 61a and a first light receiving unit 61b. The first light source 61a can be, for example, a known white LED that emits visible light. The first light receiving unit 61b captures the visible light emitted from the first light source 61a and reflected from the transport means 4 side, and can be, for example, a known CCD camera or CMOS camera.

[0049] This appearance imaging means 61 is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction (also called the appearance quality determination section) of the measurement section 204 above the transport means 4, and by photographing the entire upstream area of ​​the measurement section 204, it captures the appearance of the agricultural products 2 being transported by the transport means 4 and transmits the captured image to the determination means 63.

[0050] The internal imaging means 62 consists of second and third light sources 62a and 62c, and second and third light receiving units 62b and 62d.

[0051] The second and third light sources 62a and 62c can be, for example, known near-infrared LEDs that emit near-infrared light. The second and third light receiving units 62b and 62d can be, for example, known CCD cameras or CMOS cameras. The second light receiving unit 62b captures light that has passed through the agricultural product 2 directly above the second light source 62a (see the dashed line in Figure 3) and near-infrared light reflected by the transport means 4 or other agricultural products 2 placed upstream or downstream (see the dashed line in Figure 3). The third light receiving unit 62d captures light that has passed through the agricultural product 2 directly above the third light source 62c and near-infrared light reflected by the transport means 4 or other agricultural products 2 placed upstream or downstream, similar to the second light receiving unit 62b.

[0052] This internal imaging means 62 is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction (also called the internal quality determination section) of the measurement section 204 above the transport means 4, and by imaging the entire downstream area of ​​the measurement section 204, it photographs the inside of the agricultural products 2 being transported by the transport means 4 and transmits the captured image to the determination means 63.

[0053] The term "entire area" includes the entire length in the transport direction (X direction) and the entire width in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction (Y direction) on both the upstream and downstream sides of the measurement section 204.

[0054] The determination means 63 determines whether the quality of the agricultural product 2 is substandard based on the images captured by the external imaging means 61 and the internal imaging means 62.

[0055] Specifically, the determination means 63 determines whether the quality of the photographed agricultural product 2 (color, size, presence or absence of blemishes, size of blemishes, etc.) is substandard based on the image taken by the external imaging means 61, and also determines whether the quality (state of decay) is substandard based on the image taken by the internal imaging means 62.

[0056] Regarding the method for determining whether or not the quality of crop 2 is substandard, a known method can be used, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0057] The recognition means 64 is positioned on the downstream side (internal quality determination section) of the measurement section 204 above the transport means 4. By photographing the entire downstream area of ​​the measurement section 204, it recognizes the location (XY coordinates) of the crop 2 that the determination means 63 has determined to be substandard, and also tracks the crop 2.

[0058] This recognition means 64 is composed of a fourth light source 64a and a fourth light receiving unit 64b. The fourth light source 64a can be, for example, a known white LED that emits visible light. The fourth light receiving unit 64b captures the visible light emitted from the fourth light source 64a and reflected from the transport means 4 side, and can be, for example, a known CCD camera or CMOS camera.

[0059] The first to fourth light sources 61a, 62a, 62c, and 64a, and the first to fourth light receiving units 61b, 62b, 62d, and 64b are mounted on the frame 65. Furthermore, the emission timings of the first to fourth light sources 61a, 62a, 62c, and 64a are set to prevent mutual interference by staggering their emission timings, for example, as shown in Figures 4(a) to (d).

[0060] The extraction means 7 is located upstream of the transport direction (also called the automatic extraction section) in the extraction section 205 above the transport means 4, and automatically extracts non-standard agricultural products 2 from the transport means 4. For example, it can be configured as a robot.

[0061] This retrieval means 7 is configured to receive information regarding the location (XY coordinates) of the non-standard agricultural product 2 and to retrieve the non-standard agricultural product 2 that is being transported by the transport means 4 based on this received information.

[0062] The removed non-standard agricultural products 2 can be stored in a collection box (not shown), for example. The robot can be, for example, a parallel link robot, a SCARA robot, or an articulated robot.

[0063] The indicator means 8 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction (also called the indicator section or manual extraction section) of the extraction section 205 above the transport means 4, and is used to indicate non-standard agricultural products 2, and can be, for example, a projector.

[0064] The instruction means 8 receives information (XY coordinates) regarding the position of the non-standard crop 2 from the recognition means 64. Based on this received information, the instruction means 8 can track the non-standard crop 2 by irradiating it with visible light as it is being transported by the transport means 4, for example as shown in Figure 5, and by sequentially shifting the position of the visible light irradiation in accordance with the movement of the crop 2.

[0065] By the way, regarding whether to perform the process of removing the non-standard agricultural products 2 selected by the selection means 6 using the removal means 7, or the process instructed by the instruction means 8, the control means (not shown) The claims can be specified by means of specifying the scope of the patent.

[0066] Furthermore, in the downstream section 205 where the instruction means 8 is provided, visible light is irradiated onto the substandard crops 2, allowing workers to manually remove the substandard crops 2.

[0067] The adjustment means 9 adjusts the conveying speed by the conveying means 4, taking into consideration the quantity of non-standard agricultural products 2 selected by the selection means 6 and the extraction capacity of the extraction means 7.

[0068] Specifically, the adjustment means 9 adjusts the conveying speed of the chain 43 by controlling the driving force of the motor 45 of the conveying means 4, thereby adjusting the conveying speed of the crops 2. The conveying speed of the chain 43 is recognized by an encoder (not shown) provided on the drive sprocket 41.

[0069] Furthermore, the adjustment means 9 slows down the conveying speed by the conveying means 4 when there is a large quantity of non-standard agricultural products 2.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the first half of the first forward rotation drive means 11 and the reverse rotation drive means 12 are installed in the alignment section 202, and the latter half of the first forward rotation drive means 11 and the second forward rotation drive means 13 are installed on the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section).

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the roller conveyor as the transporting means 4, the first forward rotation drive means 11 is installed on the left side in the transporting direction in the region from the alignment section 202 to the upstream side of the measurement section 205 (appearance quality determination section).

[0072] This first forward rotation drive means 11 causes every other roller 44 (hereinafter referred to as odd-numbered rollers, for example) of the roller conveyor 4, which is a transport means 4, to rotate in the forward direction when it enters the area from the alignment section 202 to the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section).

[0073] Here, the positive direction refers to the clockwise direction when the roller 44 is viewed from the left side in the direction of transport, as shown in Figure 8.

[0074] Furthermore, in the alignment section 202, a reverse-rotation drive mechanism 12 is installed to the right of the roller conveyor, which serves as the conveying means 4, in the direction of transport.

[0075] This reverse rotation drive means 12 causes every other roller 44 (hereinafter referred to as even-numbered rollers, for example) of the roller conveyor 4, which is a transport means 4 that has entered the alignment section 202, to rotate (reverse rotation) in the opposite direction.

[0076] Here, the reverse direction refers to the counterclockwise direction when the roller 44 is viewed from the left side in the direction of transport, as shown in Figure 8.

[0077] Furthermore, a second forward rotation drive means 13 is installed on the right side of the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4, in the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality judgment section), in the direction of transport.

[0078] This second forward rotation drive means 13 causes the odd-numbered rollers 44 to rotate in the forward direction (forward rotation) within the measurement section 204.

[0079] Such first and second forward rotation drive means 11, 13 and reverse rotation drive means 12 can be composed of, for example, as shown in Figure 9, chains 111, 121, 131 that are looped in an elliptical shape in side view, a pair of sprockets 113, 114, 123, 124, 133, 134 around which the chains 111, 121, 131 are wound, and motors 112, 122, 132 that rotate the chains 111, 121, 131 by rotating one of the sprockets 113, 123, 133.

[0080] Furthermore, a left-side sprocket 14 is fixed to the left side of the rotation axis 44a of each odd-numbered roller 44. On the other hand, a right-side sprocket 15 is fixed to the right side of the rotation axis 44a of each even-numbered roller 44.

[0081] The left sprocket 14 is engaged with the chain 111 of the first forward rotation drive means 11, and as the chain 111 rotates, the left sprocket 14 and the odd-numbered rollers 44 are rotated in the forward direction.

[0082] Furthermore, the right-side sprocket 15 is engaged with the chain 121 of the reverse-rotating drive mechanism 12, so that as the chain 121 rotates, the right-side sprocket 15 and the even-numbered rollers 44 are reversed.

[0083] Furthermore, the right-side sprocket 15 is engaged with the chain 131 of the second forward-rotating drive means 13, so that as the chain 131 rotates, the right-side sprocket 15 and the even-numbered rollers 44 are rotated in the forward direction.

[0084] Next, the operation of the crop sorting device 1 described above will be explained.

[0085] First, in the supply section 201, the unsorted agricultural products 2 contained in containers as supply means 3 are supplied in a random state onto the diffusion roller conveyor 51 of the alignment means 5, which is located upstream of the alignment section 202 (first diffusion section).

[0086] On this diffusion roller conveyor 51, the crops 2 supplied in the random state are scattered in all directions (forward, backward, left, and right) as they are sent to the downstream side (second diffusion section) of the alignment section 202.

[0087] When the crops 2 sent downstream of this alignment section 202 are supplied onto the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4, each of the crops 2 is aligned by the partition means 52 of the alignment means 5.

[0088] Specifically, downstream of the alignment section 202, when two adjacent rollers 44 are considered a virtual pair in the roller conveyor as a transporting means 4, one or more crops 2 are arranged in a line in the direction of the central axis of the rollers 44 between the rollers 44 of each virtual pair, and the two rollers 44 forming the virtual pair are sandwiched between partition members 524.

[0089] Furthermore, in this alignment section 202, as shown in Figure 8, of the two rollers 44 of the virtual pair, the roller 44 on the downstream side (front) in the conveying direction is rotated forward (clockwise in a left side view) by the first forward rotation drive means 11, while the roller 44 on the upstream side (rear) in the conveying direction is rotated backward (counterclockwise in a left side view) by the reverse rotation drive means 12.

[0090] In other words, the rollers 44 of each virtual pair are rotated alternately by the first forward rotation drive means 11 and the reverse rotation drive means 12.

[0091] As a result, the crops 2 placed between the two virtual pair of rollers 44 are aligned. During the process of passing through section 202, the crops placed between the two front and rear rollers 44, which rotate in alternating directions, are held in place so as not to roll and shift position.

[0092] Furthermore, if the crop 2 is an elongated object such as an ellipse, as shown in Figure 9, the orientation of the crop 2 between the two rollers 44 will be changed so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the central axis of the rollers 44 (referred to as a lateral orientation).

[0093] These factors prevent multiple crops 2 from overlapping in the forward and reverse directions of the transport. Moreover, since the configuration for aligning multiple crops 2 in the alignment section 202 (first forward rotation drive means 11, reverse rotation drive means 12) is installed only in a short area in the transport direction, the space occupied in the transport direction is shorter compared to the alignment device of Patent Document 1.

[0094] Subsequently, as each roller 44 of the chain 43 of the conveying means 4 passes through the rotation direction switching section 203, the roller 44 that was rotating in the forward direction in the alignment section 202 continues to rotate in the forward direction due to the first forward rotation drive means 11, while the roller 44 that was rotating in the reverse direction in the alignment section 202 passes through the reverse rotation drive means 12 and becomes free to rotate.

[0095] Then, in the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section), as shown in Figure 11, the roller 44 that was rotating in the forward direction in the rotation direction switching section 203 continues to rotate in the forward direction by the first forward rotation drive means 11, while the roller 44 that was freely rotating in the rotation direction switching section 203 is rotated in the forward direction by the second forward rotation drive means 13.

[0096] As a result, both of the rollers 44 of each virtual pair are made to rotate in the forward direction, so the crop 2 is made to rotate (rotate on its own axis) in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) to the rotation direction of the rollers 44 of each virtual pair, as shown in Figure 11.

[0097] Therefore, in the upstream section of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section), the upper surface of the crop 2 will sequentially change direction as it rotates, allowing the appearance photographing means 61 to continuously photograph the entire circumference of the crop 2.

[0098] Based on the images captured by the appearance imaging means 61, the determination means 63 determines whether the quality of the crop 2 (color, size, presence or absence of blemishes, size of blemishes, etc.) is substandard, and counts the number of substandard crops 2 located upstream of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section). Furthermore, the recognition means 64 recognizes the location (XY coordinates) of the crops 2 determined to be substandard and tracks them.

[0099] Next, in the downstream side of the measurement section 204 (internal quality judgment section), the rollers 44 of each virtual pair are allowed to rotate freely.

[0100] As a result, while the crop 2 passes through the downstream side of the measurement section 204 (internal quality determination section), it remains stationary, even though it is still free to rotate. Therefore, the inside of the crop 2 in this non-rotating state is photographed by the internal imaging means 62. Consequently, the internal state of the crop 2 is clearly visible in the image captured by the internal imaging means 62.

[0101] Based on these internally captured images, the determination means 63 determines whether the quality (spoilage) of the crop 2 is substandard, and the recognition means 64 recognizes the location (XY coordinates) of the crop 2 that has been determined to be substandard, and also tracks the crop 2.

[0102] Next, in the upstream side of the extraction section 205 (automatic extraction section), each of the rollers 44 rotates freely. It remains in a stationary state despite being in a certain condition.

[0103] Therefore, when the crop 2 enters the extraction section 205, the extraction means 7 receives information from the recognition means 64 regarding the position (XY coordinates) of the non-standard crop 2, and based on this received information, automatically extracts the non-standard crop 2 and stores it in a collection box (not shown). At this time, since the crop 2 is in a non-rotating state (stationary state), the extraction means 7 can more easily extract the non-standard crop 2 accurately.

[0104] Then, downstream of the extraction section 205 (manual extraction section), the instruction means 8 receives information (XY coordinates) regarding the position of the non-standard crop 2 from the recognition means 64. Based on this received information, the instruction means 8 irradiates the non-standard crop 2 being transported by the transport means 4 with visible light, and tracks the crop 2 by sequentially shifting the irradiation position of the visible light in accordance with the movement of the crop 2, for example, as shown in Figure 5.

[0105] As a result, visible light is irradiated onto the substandard crops 2 downstream of the extraction section 205 where the instruction means 8 is installed, making it easier for workers to manually remove the substandard crops 2.

[0106] In other words, downstream of this extraction section 205, if any substandard crops are missed during extraction upstream, workers can manually remove those missed substandard crops 2.

[0107] As described above, according to embodiments to which the present invention is applied, in an alignment section 202 in which multiple crops 2 are loaded onto a roller conveyor 4 from a diffusion roller conveyor 51, the alignment means 5 prevents the multiple crops 2 from overlapping in the forward and backward directions of the conveying direction, and allows them to be positioned between two virtual pairs of rollers 44 on the roller conveyor 4.

[0108] Furthermore, after the crops 2 are loaded onto the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4, the two virtual pair of rollers 44 are rotated in alternating directions by the first forward-rotating drive means 11 and the reverse-rotating drive means 12. This allows the crops 2, positioned between the two virtual pair of rollers 44, to be held immovably and not roll or shift in position in the transport direction.

[0109] This makes it possible to maintain a state in which multiple crops 2 do not overlap in the forward and backward directions of transport during the process from the alignment section 202 to the measurement section 204, and also makes it possible to accurately select the quality of each crop 2 by the selection means 6 in the measurement section 204.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section), the two virtual pair of rollers 44 are rotated in the forward direction by the first and second forward rotation drive means 11 and 13, thereby causing the crop 2 to rotate on its own axis. This makes it possible to accurately select the presence or absence of damage and decay, and the state of damage and decay, around the entire circumference of the crop 2.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the downstream side of the measurement section 204 (internal quality determination section), both of the two virtual pair of rollers 44 are in a non-rotating state (stationary state), making it possible to accurately select the internal quality of the crop 2 (for example, the presence or absence of damage and decay, and the state of damage and decay).

[0112] These findings contribute to improving the reliability of the crop sorting device 1.

[0113] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0114] (1) The configuration of the crop sorting device 1 described in the above embodiment is not particularly limited to the configuration relating to the features of the present invention, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0115] (2) In the alignment section 202 of the above embodiment, for example as shown in Figure 12, every other roller 44 (for example, odd-numbered rollers) of the roller conveyor as the conveying means 4 can be rotated in the opposite direction (counterclockwise), while the remaining every other roller 44 (for example, even-numbered rollers) can be rotated in the forward direction (clockwise).

[0116] Even when this configuration is adopted, the same effects and benefits as those of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 11 can be obtained.

[0117] (3) For example, Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration differs from the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 10 in that a forced stop means 16 is installed on the left and right sides in the direction of transport of the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4, in the extraction section 205.

[0118] This forced stop means 16 can be configured, for example as shown in Figure 14, with a chain 161 looped in an elliptical shape in side view, a pair of sprockets 163 and 164 around which the chain 161 is wound, and a motor 162 that rotates the chain 161 by rotating one of the sprockets 163.

[0119] This forced stopping mechanism 16 is installed on the left and right sides in the transport direction within the retrieval section 205.

[0120] Furthermore, by setting the rotational speed of the chain 161 of the forced stopping means 16 to be the same as the rotational speed of the chain 43 of the roller conveyor, which is the conveying means 4, all the rollers 44 of the roller conveyor, which is the conveying means 4, will be forcibly brought to a state of rotational stop (non-rotating state, stationary state).

[0121] The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment. In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 can be obtained, as well as the following functions and effects.

[0122] In this embodiment, as described above, all the rollers 44 of the roller conveyor, which serves as the transporting means 4, are forcibly stopped from rotating (non-rotating, stationary) in the removal section 205. This makes it easier to remove non-standard agricultural products 2 when they are automatically removed by the removal means 7 or when they are removed manually by an operator.

[0123] (4) For example, Figures 15 and 16 show other embodiments of the present invention. This embodiment is another embodiment of the forced stop means 16 shown in Figure 13.

[0124] As shown in Figure 15, the forced stopping means 16A of this embodiment includes guide rails that are positioned on the left and right sides, respectively, in the direction of transport of the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4.

[0125] The two guide rails, which serve as the forced stopping means 16A, are straight in a plan view as shown in Figure 15, but in a side view as shown in Figure 16, the area from the downstream side to the middle in the transport direction is a horizontal straight shape, while the area from the middle to the upstream end in the transport direction is an inclined shape that gradually slopes upward towards the upstream side.

[0126] Furthermore, the left and right ends of the rotation axis 44a of all rollers 44 of the roller conveyor, which serves as the conveying means 4, are formed in a D-shape when viewed from the end face. In other words, a predetermined angular range around the left and right ends of the rotation axis 44a is cut out, and a flat surface 44b is provided.

[0127] With this configuration, when the rollers 44 of the roller conveyor, which serve as the transport means 4, enter the extraction section 205, the flat surfaces 44b at the left and right ends of the rollers 44, which are sequentially sent from the upstream side in the transport direction, are met by the inclined portions of the two guide rails, which serve as the forced stopping means 16A. Gradually, they come into contact with the underside of the straight portions of each guide rail, and the flat surfaces 44b of all the rotation axes 44a that come into contact with each guide rail are aligned with the transport direction. As a result, each roller 44 is forcibly brought to a state of rotational stop (non-rotating state, stationary state).

[0128] The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment. In this embodiment as well, the same functions and effects as in the embodiment shown in Figure 12 can be obtained. [Industrial applicability]

[0129] The present invention can be suitably used in agricultural crop sorting devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0130] 1. Crop sorting device 2. Crops 3 Supply means 4. Conveying means 41 Drive sprocket 42 Driven sprocket 43 chain 44 Laura 44a Axis of rotation 44b flat surface 45 Motor 5 Alignment means 51 Diffusion Roller Conveyor 52 Partitioning means 6 Selection method 61. Means of photographing the exterior 62 Internal imaging means 63 Judgment means 64 Recognition means 65 frames 7 Retrieval means 11 First forward rotation drive means 12 Reverse drive mechanism 13. Second forward rotation drive means 14. Left sprocket 15 Right sprocket 16,16A Forced stop means 201 Supply Section 202 Alignment Section 203 Rotation direction switching section 204 Measurement section 205 Extraction Section

Claims

1. A crop sorting device comprising a conveying means for transporting multiple crops, and a selection means for selecting the quality of each crop along the transport direction of the crops by the conveying means, The conveying means is a roller conveyor in which a plurality of rollers are provided to be rotatable. In the conveying means, an alignment section for aligning multiple crops is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction and upstream side of the selection means. The roller conveyor, as the conveying means, is equipped with a drive means that rotates each of the multiple rollers passing through the alignment section alternately in the forward and reverse directions. A crop sorting device characterized in that crops placed between two front and rear rollers that rotate in alternating directions are held immovably so as not to roll and shift position.

2. In the crop sorting device according to claim 1, The crop sorting apparatus is characterized in that the driving means includes a forward rotation driving means for rotating each of the alternate rollers in the forward direction, and a reverse rotation driving means for rotating each of the remaining alternate rollers in the reverse direction.

3. In the crop sorting apparatus according to claim 2, A crop sorting device characterized in that the forward rotation drive means is installed on one side in the direction of the central axis of the roller, and the reverse rotation drive means is installed on the other side in the direction of the central axis of the roller.

4. In the crop sorting device described in claim 3, The forward rotation drive means comprises a chain engaged with a sprocket mounted on one side in the direction of the central axis of the rotation axis of each of the alternate rollers, and a motor for rotationally driving this chain. The crop sorting apparatus is characterized in that the reverse rotation drive means comprises a chain engaged with a sprocket mounted on the other side in the direction of the central axis of the rotation axis of each of the remaining alternate rollers, and a motor for rotationally driving this chain.

5. In the crop sorting apparatus according to claim 2, A crop sorting device characterized in that the forward rotation drive means and the reverse rotation drive means are each capable of adjusting their rotational speed.

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