Crop internal measurement device

Abstract

To provide a crop internal part measurement device capable of accurately securing, measurement accuracy of internal quality of crops.SOLUTION: A light projecting part for projecting light for measuring internal part quality of a crop 2 toward the crop 2, is formed of: a plurality of LED light sources LA1 to LA15, the light sources being arranged over a whole body of a transport width direction which is a horizontal direction being orthogonal to a transport direction by a roller conveyor. Each LED light source LA1 to LA15 can be individually switched between turned on and turned off states. Out of the respective LED light sources LA1-LA15, only the LED light sources LA3, LA4, LA8, LA10, LA13 which are at positions facing crops 2 transported by the roller conveyor, are turned on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an internal measurement device for agricultural crops.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an internal measurement device for agricultural crops that projects light (hereinafter sometimes referred to as measurement light) from a light projecting unit toward an agricultural crop and receives the transmitted light by a light receiving unit to measure the internal quality of the agricultural crop. [[ID=IP13]]

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an internal measurement device for agricultural crops including a plurality of conveying rollers, one light projecting unit, and a plurality of light receiving units. In this Patent Document 1, the conveying rollers are arranged in parallel with a gap in the conveying direction of the agricultural crop, and the agricultural crop as a measurement object is arranged in the gap between a pair of conveying rollers, and the agricultural crop is conveyed in this state. Further, the light projecting unit and the plurality of light receiving units are arranged to face each other with the conveying roller interposed therebetween. Thus, the measurement light projected from the light projecting unit passes through the agricultural crop and passes through the gap between the conveying rollers and is received by the light receiving unit, and the internal quality of the agricultural crop is measured by analyzing this received light (transmitted light).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the crop internal measurement device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has only one light-emitting unit, and the distance from the light-emitting unit tends to be longer at the longitudinal ends of the conveyor roller than at the longitudinal center. Furthermore, even when crops are present near the longitudinal ends of the conveyor roller, it is necessary to emit a predetermined amount of measurement light onto the crops, so the light intensity of the measurement light from the light-emitting unit had to be set to a high level. As a result, the measurement light that passes through the gaps between the conveyor rollers where there are no crops is received by the light-receiving unit with a high light intensity (without the reduction in light intensity due to not passing through crops), which can cause phenomena such as lens flare and ghosting, potentially negatively affecting the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of crops.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its objective is to provide an internal crop measurement device that can ensure good accuracy in measuring the internal quality of crops. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a solution for achieving the above objective, which is based on a conveying means comprising a conveying body having a passage region through which light can pass and on which agricultural products are placed and conveyed, and an agricultural product internal measurement device comprising a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged opposite each other on either side of the conveying body in the vertical direction, wherein light is emitted from the light-emitting unit toward the agricultural products, and the light that passes through the agricultural products and through the passage region is received by the light-receiving unit to measure the internal quality of the agricultural products. Furthermore, the agricultural product internal measurement device is configured such that the light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources arranged over the entire conveying width direction, which is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying body, and each of the light sources can be individually switched on and off. The conveying means is a roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers as conveying bodies arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of conveying the agricultural products, the passage area is the space between adjacent rollers, and the light-emitting units are arranged in a plurality of positions different from each other in the direction of conveying by the conveying bodies, and each light-emitting unit is arranged such that when one light-emitting unit is in a position facing the space between the rollers, the other light-emitting units are in a position facing the rollers. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] This specific designation allows light to be projected onto crops located in the center of the transporter in the transporter's width direction from the projection unit located in the center of the transporter's width direction, and onto crops located at the ends of the transporter's width direction from the projection unit located at the ends of the transporter's width direction. In other words, the distance from the projection unit to the crops can be made approximately uniform regardless of the crops' position on the transporter, and it becomes possible to project a predetermined amount of light onto crops located at the ends of the transporter's width direction without setting a high light intensity. As a result, phenomena such as lens flare and ghosting caused by high light intensity can be suppressed, and the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of crops can be ensured. Furthermore, when one light-emitting unit is positioned opposite the rollers in the space between them, and light is being projected from the light source onto the crop (the crop facing the light source), the other light-emitting units are positioned opposite the rollers. Even if the light source of a light-emitting unit is lit, the light from the light source is blocked by the rollers and has difficulty reaching the light-receiving unit. This improves the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of the crop.

[0009] Also ,before The system includes a control device that illuminates only the light source located in a position opposite the agricultural product being transported by the transporter.

[0010] According to this system, light sources located in positions not directly facing the crops being transported by the conveyor will remain off. Therefore, no light will pass through the conveyor's transit area without penetrating the crops and reach the light-receiving unit, thus avoiding the adverse effects on the measurement accuracy of the crops' internal quality that would occur if such light were present. Furthermore, power consumption can be reduced compared to when all light sources are lit.

[0011] Furthermore, the control device sets the timing for turning on the light source to the point when the agricultural product, which has been transported by the transporter, reaches a position facing the light source.

[0012] According to this system, the light source remains off until the agricultural products being transported by the transporter reach a position facing the light source. This also prevents light from passing through the transporter's passage area (the area where no agricultural products are placed) without passing through the agricultural products and reaching the light-receiving unit, thus ensuring good accuracy in measuring the internal quality of the agricultural products. Furthermore, it becomes possible to obtain a longer period of time when the light source is off, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0013] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned light sources is either an LED light source or a laser light source.

[0014] Because these light sources have high directivity, they can effectively project light onto crops being transported to an opposing position, especially without the need for mechanisms to adjust the direction or width of the light projection. In other words, it is possible to suppress the presence of light that reaches the light-receiving unit without passing through the crops (by slipping past the outside of the crops), thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of the crops.

[0015] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources arranged across the transport width direction, and shutters arranged corresponding to the light-emitting side of each light source. Each shutter is switchable between an open position, which projects light from the lit light source toward the light-receiving unit, and a closed position, which blocks the projection of light from the lit light source toward the light-receiving unit. The unit is equipped with a control device that sets only the shutter corresponding to the light source located opposite the agricultural product being transported by the transporter to the open position. The conveying means is a roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers as conveying bodies arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of conveying the agricultural products, the passage area is the space between adjacent rollers, and the light-emitting units are arranged in a plurality of positions different from each other in the direction of conveying by the conveying bodies, and each light-emitting unit is arranged such that when one light-emitting unit is in a position facing the space between the rollers, the other light-emitting units are in a position facing the rollers.

[0016] According to this, the shutter positioned in response to the light source, which is not directly facing the crops being transported by the conveyor, will be in a closed position. Therefore, even if the light source is lit, the light will be blocked by the shutter. As a result, no light will pass through the conveyor's passage area without penetrating the crops and reach the light-receiving unit, thus avoiding the adverse effect on the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crops that would occur if such light were present. Furthermore, when one light-emitting unit is positioned opposite the rollers in the space between them, and light is being projected from the light source onto the crop (the crop facing the light source), the other light-emitting units are positioned opposite the rollers. Even if the shutter is in the open position, the light from the light source is blocked by the rollers and has difficulty reaching the light-receiving unit. This improves the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of the crop.

[0017] In addition, as the timing for switching the shutter from the closed posture to the open posture, the control device sets it as the time when the crop conveyed by the carrier reaches the position facing the shutter.

[0018] According to this, until the crop conveyed by the carrier reaches the position facing the light source, the shutter corresponding to the light source (the lit light source) is in the closed posture. Also by this, there is no light that passes through the passing area of the carrier (the passing area where no crop is placed) without passing through the crop and reaches the light receiving part, and the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop can be ensured well.

[0019] In addition, each of the light sources is a halogen lamp.

[0020] Since this light source has relatively low responsiveness (lower responsiveness compared to LED light sources etc.), by switching the shutter between the closed posture and the open posture, light can be favorably projected only onto the crop that is the measurement target. That is, even when the halogen lamp is lit constantly, the presence of light that reaches the light receiving part without passing through the crop (slipping outside the crop) can be suppressed, and the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop can be increased.

[0021] Also ,before The wavelengths of the light sources of the respective light projecting parts are different from each other.

[0022] According to this, it becomes possible to measure the internal quality by projecting light of different wavelengths at different timings for each crop (for each individual crop). For example, it becomes possible to measure the internal quality without being affected by the thickness of the crop in the light projection direction (without being affected by fluctuations in light transmittance). Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop can be further increased. <00�0089>

[0023] Furthermore, as the light source in this case, an LED light source, a laser light source, or a halogen lamp may be used.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] In the present invention, a light projecting unit that projects light for measuring the internal quality of agricultural products toward the agricultural products is provided over the entire conveying width direction, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by the conveying means. Therefore, without setting a large light quantity of the light from the light projecting unit, it is possible to project light of a predetermined light quantity onto the agricultural products located at the ends in the conveying width direction. As a result, the occurrence of phenomena such as lens flare and ghost caused by a large light quantity can be suppressed, and the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of agricultural products can be ensured well.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of an agricultural product sorting device equipped with an agricultural product internal measurement 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 configuration of the external photographing means and the internal photographing means. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the roller conveyor in the internal photographing means. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing an outline of the control system of the agricultural product internal measurement device. [Figure 6] It is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 for explaining the lighting state of the second light projecting unit. [Figure 7] It is a diagram along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 for explaining the lighting state of the third light projecting unit. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the indication form of the indication means. [Figure 10] It is a plan view schematically showing the configuration regarding the driving means of the rollers from the alignment section to the measurement section in FIG. 1. [Figure 11]Figure 10 shows the roller, the first forward rotation drive mechanism, and the reverse rotation drive mechanism as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 12] This is a side view illustrating the rotation state of the rollers in the alignment section. [Figure 13] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the first and second forward rotation drive mechanisms and the reverse rotation drive mechanism. [Figure 14] This is a plan view illustrating the orientation of crops in a designated area. [Figure 15] This is a side view illustrating the rotation state of the roller in the upstream section of the measurement area (appearance quality judgment section). [Figure 16] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 7, showing a modified version where all shutters are in the closed position. [Figure 17] This figure is equivalent to Figure 7, showing the light projection state in the modified example. [Figure 18] This is a side view illustrating other rotational states of the rollers in the alignment section. [Figure 19] This is a schematic plan view showing other configurations related to the drive mechanism for the rollers from the alignment section to the extraction section. [Figure 20] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the forced stopping mechanism. [Figure 21] This is a schematic plan view showing yet another configuration of the roller driving mechanism from the alignment section to the extraction section. [Figure 22] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the forced stopping mechanism shown in Figure 21. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] The best embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a crop sorting device 1 equipped with the crop internal measurement device 1A (see Figure 5) according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the crop sorting device 1 is configured to determine the quality of crops 2 such as potatoes and oranges (for example, color, size, presence or absence of damage and spoilage, and the state of damage and spoilage), and to remove crops 2 that are determined to be substandard in quality.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] This transport mechanism 4 includes a pair of drive sprockets 41 (one pair in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1), a pair of driven sprockets 42 (one left and one right), a pair of chains 43 (one left and one right), multiple rollers 44, a motor 45, and the like.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Multiple rollers 44 are rotatably mounted between opposing pairs of left and right chains 43, and the longitudinal direction of each roller 44 is aligned with a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (conveying width direction).

[0037] The motor 45 rotates (moves) the chain 43 by rotating a drive sprocket 41 fixed to its output shaft (not shown). As the chain 43 rotates, the crops 2 supported between the pairs of rollers 44, 44 are transported. Thus, the chain 43 and each roller 44, 44, ... constitute the transporter (a transporter on which crops are placed and transported) as defined in this invention.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 (conveying width direction).

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, this alignment means 5 includes a diffusion roller conveyor 51 and a partitioning means 52.

[0041] The diffusion roller conveyor 51 receives multiple crops 2 from the supply means 3 and sends the multiple crops 2 toward the conveying 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 conveying means 4.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, this 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.

[0046] A pair of left and right upstream sprockets 521 and a pair of left and right downstream sprockets 522 are arranged to face each other and be spaced apart in the conveying direction. Either the upstream sprockets 521 or the downstream sprockets 522 are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 (position in XY coordinates) of the substandard agricultural products 2.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The exterior imaging means 61 consists of a first light-emitting unit 61a and a first light-receiving unit 61b. The first light-emitting unit 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-emitting unit 61a and reflected from the transport means 4 side, and can be, for example, a known CCD camera or CMOS camera.

[0053] The appearance imaging means 61 is positioned on the upstream side of the transport direction (also called the appearance quality determination section) in the measurement section 204 above the transport means 4. By imaging 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 images to the appearance determination device 61A. The appearance determination device 61A performs predetermined image processing on the received captured images to determine whether the appearance quality meets a predetermined standard, and certifies agricultural products 2 that do not meet the predetermined standard as substandard agricultural products. This certification information is transmitted to the determination means 63. Note that a known method can be used to determine whether the appearance quality of the agricultural products 2 is substandard, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0054] The internal imaging means 62 consists of a tracking camera 62a, a second light-emitting unit 62b, a third light-emitting unit 62c, a second light-receiving unit 62d, and a third light-receiving unit 62e.

[0055] The tracking camera 62a is used to photograph the agricultural products 2 that have been transported downstream in the transport direction (also called the internal quality determination section) in the measurement section 204, and can be, for example, a known CCD camera or CMOS camera. The tracking camera 62a acquires information on the size, number, and location of the agricultural products 2 that have been transported to the internal quality determination section in the measurement section 204. In addition, an illumination device that shines light towards the internal quality determination section may be installed in conjunction with the tracking camera 62a. This illumination device can be, for example, a known white LED that emits visible light.

[0056] The second and third light-emitting units 62b and 62c can be, for example, known near-infrared LEDs that emit near-infrared light (details will be described later). The second and third light-receiving units 62d and 62e can be, for example, known CCD cameras or CMOS cameras. The second light-emitting unit 62b and the second light-receiving unit 62d are positioned opposite each other, sandwiching the rollers 44, 44, ... vertically. Similarly, the third light-emitting unit 62c and the third light-receiving unit 62e are positioned opposite each other, sandwiching the rollers 44, 44, ... vertically. Therefore, the second light-receiving unit 62d captures light (near-infrared) that has passed through the crops 2 directly above the second light-emitting unit 62b. The third light-receiving unit 62e captures light (near-infrared) that has passed through the crops 2 directly above the third light-emitting unit 62c. The aforementioned light-emitting units 61a, 62b, and 62c, and light-receiving units 61b, 62d, and 62e are attached to the frame 65.

[0057] The internal imaging means 62 photographs the inside of the crop 2 being transported on the transport means 4 in the internal quality determination section and transmits the captured image to the internal determination device 62A. The internal determination device 62A performs predetermined image processing on the received captured image to determine whether the internal quality of the crop 2 meets predetermined standards, and certifies crop 2 that does not meet the predetermined standards as substandard crops. This certification information is transmitted to the determination means 63. Note that a known method can be used to determine whether the internal quality of the crop 2 is substandard, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0058] The key feature of this embodiment lies in the internal imaging means 62. The configuration of this internal imaging means 62 will be described in detail below. Figure 4 is a plan view of the conveying means 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the roller conveyor 4) in the internal imaging means 62. As shown in Figure 4, each roller 44, 44, ... of the roller conveyor 4 is arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval in the conveying direction. The interval S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 is set to be slightly smaller than the minimum outer diameter dimension assumed for the agricultural product 2. This interval S between rollers 44, 44 corresponds to the passage region (the passage region through which light can pass) as referred to in this invention.

[0059] Furthermore, the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c are each composed of multiple LED elements (hereinafter referred to as LED light sources) LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 arranged in a row along the transport width direction (horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the roller conveyor 4). In other words, the third light-emitting unit 62c, composed of multiple LED light sources LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 arranged in a row along the transport width direction, is positioned downstream (downstream in the transport direction: left side in Figure 4) of the second light-emitting unit 62b, which is composed of multiple LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 arranged in a row along the transport width direction. Figure 4 shows a configuration in which 15 LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 are arranged in series at predetermined intervals in the transport width direction. However, the arrangement pitch and number of LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 can be arbitrarily set. For example, 60 LEDs may be arranged at a 10 mm pitch. Note that a laser light source may be used instead of an LED light source.

[0060] Furthermore, the LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 constituting the second light-emitting unit 62b and the LED light sources LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 constituting the third light-emitting unit 62c are employed, each with a different wavelength of light. If the thickness of the crop 2 (thickness in the direction of light transmission) differs for each crop 2, the transmittance will differ for each. However, by using light from the light-emitting units 62b and 62c, each with a different wavelength of light, to measure the internal quality of the crop 2 at different timings (two measurements), it becomes possible to measure the internal quality with high accuracy, with little influence from the fact that the thickness of the crop 2 differs for each crop 2.

[0061] Figure 4 shows the state in which, when the roller conveyor 4 is moving, the distance S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 is located above the second light-emitting unit 62b (LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15). The distance between the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c (pitch in the conveying direction: distance t1 in Figure 4) is set to 3.5 times the arrangement pitch t2 of each roller 44, 44, ... (corresponding to the distance between the axes of each roller 44, 44). Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, when the distance S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 is located above the second light-emitting unit 62b (LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15) (the second light-emitting unit 62b is visible in a plan view), other rollers 44 will be located vertically above the third light-emitting unit 62c (LED light sources LB1, LB2, ..., LB15) (the third light-emitting unit 62c will not be visible in a plan view). The relationship between the distance between the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c (pitch t1 in the transport direction) and the arrangement pitch t2 of each roller 44, 44, ... is not limited to 3.5 times, but may be 0.5 times, 1.5 times, 2.5 times, etc. In other words, the distance S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 should be located above the second light-emitting unit 62b, and the other rollers 44 should be located vertically above the third light-emitting unit 62c. In this case, although not shown in the diagram, when the distance S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 is located above the third light-emitting unit 62c, the other rollers 44 will be located vertically above the second light-emitting unit 62b.

[0062] Next, the control system of the crop internal measurement device 1A, which consists of the internal imaging means 62 and the internal determination device 62A, will be described. Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic of the control system of the crop internal measurement device 1A. As shown in Figure 5, the control system of the crop internal measurement device 1A includes the internal determination device 62A and a measurement control device (control device as defined in this invention) 62B that controls each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c. These devices 62A and 62B include, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) for storing control programs, a RAM (Random-Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, and input / output ports.

[0063] The internal determination device 62A is connected to the light receiving units 62d and 62e and the measurement control device 62B by signal lines. As a result, video information from the light receiving units 62d and 62e, and information about the crops 2 (size, quantity, and location information) from the measurement control device 62B are input to the internal determination device 62A. In addition, the determination result information (information on whether the internal quality of the crops 2 meets a predetermined standard; certification information) from the internal determination device 62A is output to the measurement control device 62B. Furthermore, as mentioned above, this information (certification information) is also transmitted to the determination means 63.

[0064] The measurement control device 62B is connected via signal lines to each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c, the tracking camera 62a, the encoder 4a for detecting the travel speed of the roller conveyor 4, and the internal judgment device 62A. As a result, information from the tracking camera 62a (information on the size, number, and position of the agricultural products 2 transported to the internal quality judgment section), information from the encoder 4a (information on the travel speed of the roller conveyor 4), and information from the internal judgment device 62A (the judgment result information) are input to the measurement control device 62B. In addition, control signals for individually switching the on and off of each LED light source LA1, LA2, ..., LA15, LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 that constitute the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c, and information on the agricultural products 2 are output to the internal judgment device 62A.

[0065] The measurement and control device 62B outputs control signals that control the lighting of the LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 of the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c, respectively, through internal calculation processing. Specifically, information from the tracking camera 62a (information on the size, number, and location of the crops 2 transported to the internal quality judgment section), the timing of acquiring information from the tracking camera 62a, and information on the travel speed of the roller conveyor 4 from the encoder 4a are received, and the timing of lighting each LED light source LA1, LA2, ..., LA15, LB1, LB2, ..., LB15, which constitutes each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c, according to the distance from the shooting position of the tracking camera 62a to each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c, which are stored in advance, and the information of the LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15, LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 to be lit are output to each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c as the control signals, and each of the light-emitting units 62b and 62c is controlled to light up a predetermined LED light source (the LED light source when the crops 2 are transported vertically upwards) at a predetermined timing (the timing when the crops 2 are transported vertically upwards). In other words, each LED light source LA1, LA2, ..., LA15, LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 is controlled to light up only during the period when crop 2 is passing vertically above it.

[0066] Figure 6 is a diagram equivalent to Figure 4, illustrating the lighting state of the second light-emitting unit 62b. Figure 7 is a diagram following the line VII-VII in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the lit LED light sources LA3, LA4, LA8, LA10, and LA13 are shown with dashed lines, while the non-lit LED light sources are not shown. In Figure 7, the lit LED light sources LA3, LA4, LA8, LA10, and LA13 are shown with solid lines (the emitted light is indicated by dashed arrows), while the non-lit LED light sources LA1, LA2, LA5-LA7, LA9, LA11, LA12, LA14, and LA15 are shown with dashed lines.

[0067] In these figures, when the four crops 2 have been transported to the vertically above the second light-emitting unit 62b, specific LED light sources of the second light-emitting unit 62b (LED light sources LA3, LA4, LA8, LA10, LA13 located vertically below the crops 2) are illuminated. In Figure 6, the uppermost crop 2 (located furthest to the right when facing downstream in the transport direction) is relatively large, so the two opposing LED light sources LA3 and LA4 are illuminated. Also, since there are no crops 2 located vertically above the third light-emitting unit 62c, all of the LED light sources LB1 to LB15 of this third light-emitting unit 62c are turned off.

[0068] In this way, only the LED light sources LA3, LA4, LA8, LA10, and LA13, which are located vertically below the crop 2, are lit. As a result, the LED light sources LA1, LA2, LA5~LA7, LA9, LA11, LA12, LA14, and LA15, which are not facing the crop 2, remain off. Therefore, no light passes through the gap S between the rollers 44, 44 without passing through the crop 2 and reaches the second light receiving unit 62d. This prevents the adverse effect of this light on the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop 2.

[0069] Figure 8 is a diagram equivalent to Figure 4, illustrating the state in which the roller conveyor 4 has progressed from the state shown in Figure 6 and the third light-emitting unit 62c has been illuminated. In Figure 8 as well, the illuminated LED light sources LB3, LB4, LB8, LB10, and LB13 are shown with dashed lines, while the LED light sources that are not illuminated are not shown.

[0070] In Figure 8, when the four crops 2 have been transported to the vertically above the third light-emitting unit 62c, specific LED light sources of the third light-emitting unit 62c (LED light sources LB3, LB4, LB8, LB10, LB13 located vertically below the crops 2) are lit. Also, all LED light sources LA1 to LA15 of the second light-emitting unit 62b are turned off.

[0071] Even in this case, only the LED light sources LB3, LB4, LB8, LB10, and LB13 located vertically below the crop 2 will light up, while the LED light sources not facing the crop 2 will remain off. As a result, no light will pass through the gap S between the rollers 44, 44 without passing through the crop 2 and reach the third light receiving unit 62e, thus avoiding any adverse effects on the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop 2 caused by the presence of this light.

[0072] The determination means 63 receives the output from the appearance determination device 61A and the internal determination device 62A and identifies the crop 2 whose appearance and internal quality are outside the specifications.

[0073] 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 (position in XY coordinates) of the crop 2 that the determination means 63 has determined to be substandard, and also tracks the crop 2.

[0074] As shown in Figure 3, the recognition means 64 is composed of a fourth light-emitting unit 64a and a fourth light-receiving unit 64b. The fourth light-emitting unit 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-emitting unit 64a and reflected from the transport means 4 side, and can be, for example, a known CCD camera or CMOS camera.

[0075] 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.

[0076] This retrieval means 7 is configured to receive information regarding the location (position in 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] The instruction means 8 receives information from the recognition means 64 regarding the position (position in XY coordinates) of the non-standard crop 2. 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 9, and by sequentially shifting the position of the visible light irradiation in accordance with the movement of the crop 2.

[0080] Incidentally, it is possible to arbitrarily specify whether the process of removing the non-standard agricultural products 2 selected by the selection means 6 is carried out by the removal means 7 or by the process instructed by the instruction means 8.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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 4a provided on the drive sprocket 41.

[0084] 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.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 10, 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).

[0086] Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, 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 204 (appearance quality determination section).

[0087] 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).

[0088] 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 12, for example.

[0089] 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.

[0090] This reverse rotation drive mechanism 12 causes every other roller 44 (hereinafter referred to as even-numbered rollers, for example) of the roller conveyor 4, which is a transport mechanism that has entered the alignment section 202, to rotate (reverse rotation) in the opposite direction.

[0091] 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 12.

[0092] 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 determination section), in the direction of transport.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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 13, a chain 111, 121, 131 that is looped in an elliptical shape in side view, a pair of sprockets 113, 114, 123, 124, 133, 134 around which the chain 111, 121, 131 is wound, and motors 112, 122, 132 that rotate the chain 111, 121, 131 by rotating one of the sprockets 113, 123, 133.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] Furthermore, the right-side sprocket 15 is engaged with the chain 131 of the second forward rotation 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.

[0099] Next, the operation of the crop sorting device 1 described above will be explained.

[0100] 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).

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] Furthermore, in this alignment section 202, as shown in Figure 12, 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] As a result, when the crops 2 placed between the two virtual pair of rollers 44 pass through the alignment section 202, the crops 2 placed between the two front and rear rollers 44, which rotate in opposite directions, are held still so as not to roll and shift position.

[0107] Furthermore, if the crop 2 is an elongated shape such as an ellipse, as shown in Figure 14, 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).

[0108] 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 reduced.

[0109] 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.

[0110] Then, in the upstream side of the measurement section 204 (appearance quality determination section), as shown in Figure 15, 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.

[0111] 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 15.

[0112] 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.

[0113] Based on the image captured by the appearance imaging means 61, the appearance determination device 61A determines whether the quality of the crop 2 (color, size, presence or absence of blemishes, size of blemishes, etc.) is substandard. This information is then transmitted to the determination means 63, which 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 (position in XY coordinates) of the crops 2 determined to be substandard and tracks them.

[0114] 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.

[0115] As a result, while the crop 2 passes through the downstream side of the measurement section 204 (internal quality determination section), it remains stationary, although it is still free to rotate, so the inside of the non-rotating crop 2 is photographed by the internal imaging means 62. Therefore, the internal condition of the crop 2 is clearly visible in the image taken by the internal imaging means 62. In measuring the internal condition of the crop 2 in this internal quality determination section, as described above, when the crop 2 is transported to the vertically above the second light-emitting unit 62b, a specific LED light source of the second light-emitting unit 62b lights up (see the state shown in Figures 6 and 7), and the internal quality of the crop 2 is measured by analyzing the light received by the second light-receiving unit 62d. Also, when the crop 2 is transported to the vertically above the third light-emitting unit 62c, a specific LED light source of the third light-emitting unit 62c lights up (see the state shown in Figure 8), and the internal quality of the crop 2 is measured by analyzing the light received by the third light-receiving unit 62e.

[0116] In this way, the internal determination device 62A determines whether the quality (spoilage) of the crop 2 is substandard based on the internally captured images, and the recognition means 64 recognizes the location (position in XY coordinates) of the crop 2 that has been determined to be substandard, and tracks the crop 2.

[0117] Next, in the upstream side of the extraction section 205 (automatic extraction section), each of the rollers 44 is kept stationary, although it is in a state where it can rotate freely.

[0118] Therefore, when the crop 2 enters the extraction section 205, the extraction means 7 receives information from the recognition means 64 regarding the position (position in 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 easily and accurately extract the non-standard crop 2.

[0119] Then, downstream of the extraction section 205 (manual extraction section), the instruction means 8 receives information from the recognition means 64 regarding the position (position in XY coordinates) of the non-standard crop 2. 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 9.

[0120] 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.

[0121] In other words, downstream of this extraction section 205, if any substandard crops 2 are missed during extraction upstream, workers can manually retrieve those missed substandard crops 2.

[0122] As described above, embodiments to which the present invention is applied can achieve the following effects.

[0123] In this embodiment, the second light-emitting unit 62b and the third light-emitting unit 62c, which emit light toward the crop 2 for measuring the internal quality of the crop 2, are provided along the entire width of the transport system, which is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport means 4. Therefore, without setting a large amount of light from the LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15, LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 of each light-emitting unit 62b, 62c, it becomes possible to emit a predetermined amount of light toward the crop 2 located at the ends of the transport width. As a result, the occurrence of phenomena such as lens flare and ghosting caused by high light intensity can be suppressed, and the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of the crop 2 can be ensured to be good.

[0124] Furthermore, among the LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15, only the LED light source located opposite the agricultural product 2 being transported by the roller conveyor 4 is illuminated. As a result, LED light sources not facing the transported agricultural product 2 remain unlit and are in an unlit state. Therefore, no light passes through the gap S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 without passing through the agricultural product 2 and reaches the light receiving units 62d, 62e, thus avoiding any adverse effects on the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the agricultural product 2 due to the presence of this light. In addition, power consumption can be reduced compared to when all LED light sources are illuminated.

[0125] Furthermore, the timing for turning on the LED light source is set to when the transported crop 2 reaches a position facing the LED light source. Therefore, the LED light source remains off until the transported crop 2 reaches a position facing the LED light source. This also prevents light from passing through the gap S between adjacent rollers 44, 44 (the gap S where no crop 2 exists) without passing through the crop 2 and reaching the light receiving units 62d, 62e. In addition, it is possible to obtain a longer period of time when the LED light source is off, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, LED light sources LA1, LA2, ..., LA15 and LB1, LB2, ..., LB15 are used as the light sources. Because LED light sources have high directivity, they can project light effectively toward the crops 2 that have been transported to the opposite position, without the need for any mechanism to adjust the direction or width of the light projection. In other words, it is possible to suppress the presence of light that reaches the light receiving units 62d, 62e without passing through the crops 2 (by slipping past the outside of the crops 2), thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the internal quality of the crops 2.

[0127] (modified version) Next, a modified example will be described. In this modified example, the configuration and operation of the second and third light-emitting units 62b and 62c differ from those of the previously described embodiment. The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the previously described embodiment, so only the differences from the previously described embodiment will be described here.

[0128] Figure 16 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7 in this modified example. Figure 16 shows the configuration of the second light-emitting unit 62b, and the third light-emitting unit 62c has a similar configuration. As shown in Figure 16, the second light-emitting unit 62b is configured to include a plurality of light sources (not labeled in Figure 16) arranged in the transport width direction, and shutters S1, S2, ... S15 arranged corresponding to the light-emitting side (upper side in Figure 16) of each light source.

[0129] In this modified example, halogen lamps are used as the light sources. However, as in the previously described embodiment, LED light sources may also be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each light source is not individually switchable between on and off; all light sources are illuminated during the transport of agricultural products 2.

[0130] Each shutter S1, S2, ... S15 is made of a metal plate and is equipped with a pivot shaft that allows it to rotate around a horizontal axis at a position slightly to one side in the horizontal direction in the state shown in Figure 16. Each of these pivot shafts is connected to a drive source consisting of an actuator or solenoid (not shown), and by driving this source, the horizontal and vertical positions can be switched individually. This drive source is driven by a control signal output from the measurement control device 62B. When shutters S1, S2, ... S15 are in the horizontal position, the projection of light from the lit light source toward the second light receiving unit 62d is blocked. Hereinafter, this horizontal position of the shutter will be referred to as the closed position. On the other hand, when shutters S1, S2, ... S15 are in the vertical position, the light from the lit light source is projected toward the second light receiving unit 62d. Hereinafter, this vertical position of the shutter will be referred to as the open position.

[0131] In this modified example, the measurement control device 62B outputs control signals to control the posture of each shutter S1, S2, ... S15 through internal calculation processing. Specifically, it receives information from the tracking camera 62a (information on the size, number, and position of the crops 2 transported to the internal quality judgment section), the timing of acquiring information from the tracking camera 62a, and information on the travel speed of the roller conveyor 4 from the encoder 4a. A signal is output to switch between the closed and open postures of each shutter S1, S2, ... S15 according to the distance from the shooting position of the tracking camera 62a to each of the light-emitting units 62b, 62c, respectively, which is stored in advance. Each light-emitting unit 62b, 62c is controlled to open a predetermined shutter at a predetermined timing (the timing when the crops 2 have been transported vertically upward). In other words, control is performed so that a specific shutter is in the open posture only during the period when the crops 2 are passing vertically upward.

[0132] In Figure 17 (a diagram equivalent to Figure 7 showing the light projection state in this modified example), the four crops 2 are transported to the vertically above the second light projection unit 62b, at which point specific shutters of the second light projection unit 62b (shutters S3, S4, S8, S10, S13 located vertically below the crops 2) are in the open position.

[0133] In this way, only the shutters S3, S4, S8, S10, and S13 located vertically below the crop 2 are in the open position, while the shutters not facing the crop 2 are in the closed position, blocking the light. As a result, no light passes through the gap S between the rollers 44, 44 without passing through the crop 2 and reaches the second light-receiving unit 62d, thus avoiding any adverse effects on the measurement accuracy of the internal quality of the crop 2 caused by the presence of this light.

[0134] This modified example can also achieve the same effects as the previously described embodiment.

[0135] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0136] (1) The configuration of the crop sorting device 1 described in the above embodiments and modified examples is not particularly limited to the configuration relating to the features of the present invention, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0137] (2) In the alignment section 202 of the above embodiment and modified example, as shown in Figure 18, for example, every other roller 44 (for example, odd-numbered rollers) of the roller conveyor 4 as the conveying means 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).

[0138] (3) Figure 19 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the removal section 205, forced stopping means 16 are installed on the left and right sides in the direction of transport of the roller conveyor which serves as the transport means 4.

[0139] This forced stop means 16 can be configured, for example as shown in Figure 20, 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, similar to the configuration of the first and second forward rotation drive means 11 and 13 and the reverse rotation drive means 12.

[0140] This forced stopping mechanism 16 is installed on the left and right sides in the transport direction within the retrieval section 205.

[0141] 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).

[0142] The other configurations are the same as in the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Figures 19 and 20, as described above, all the rollers 44 of the roller conveyor, which serves as the transport means 4, are forcibly stopped from rotating (non-rotating, stationary) in the removal section 205, making 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.

[0143] (4) Figures 21 and 22 show other embodiments. These embodiments are other embodiments of the forced stop means 16.

[0144] As shown in Figure 21, 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.

[0145] The two guide rails, which serve as the forced stopping means 16A, are straight in a plan view as shown in Figure 21, but in a side view as shown in Figure 22, 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.

[0146] Furthermore, the left and right ends of the rotation axis 44a of all the 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.

[0147] 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).

[0148] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, a roller conveyor was used as the conveying means 4, and the conveying body was composed of a chain 43 and individual rollers 44, 44, ... The present invention is not limited to this, and a belt conveyor may be used as the conveying means, and the conveying body may be a belt. In this case, the passage area that allows light to pass through will be formed by creating slits or small-diameter openings in the belt. Alternatively, a split bucket that allows light to pass through while containing agricultural products 2 may be used as the conveying body.

[0149] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modified examples, the tracking camera 62a and the second light-receiving unit 62d were treated as separate means (shooting means). The present invention is not limited to this, and a single camera may be used for both functions. In this case, it is preferable to employ a hyperspectral camera.

[0150] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified examples, the internal imaging means 62 was configured to have light-emitting units (second light-emitting unit 62b and third light-emitting unit 62c) and light-receiving units (second light-receiving unit 62d and third light-receiving unit 62e) arranged at two locations along the transport direction of the agricultural products 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit may be arranged at only one location along the transport direction of the agricultural products 2, or the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit may be arranged at three or more locations. [Industrial applicability]

[0151] The present invention can be suitably used in an internal measurement device for agricultural products. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0152] 1A Crop Internal Measurement Device 2. Crops 4. Conveying means, roller conveyor 43 Chain (conveyor) 44 Rollers (conveyors) 62B Measurement and Control Device (Control Device) 62b Second Light Projection Unit 62c Third light projection unit 62d Second light receiving section 62e 3rd light receiving section LA1~LA15, LB1~LB15 LED light source (light source) S1~S15 Shutter S interval (passage area)

Claims

1. An agricultural product internal quality measuring device comprising: a conveying means having a conveying body having a light-transmitting region and on which agricultural products are placed and conveyed; and a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged opposite each other, sandwiching the conveying body in the vertical direction, wherein light is emitted from the light-emitting unit toward the agricultural product, and the light that passes through the product and through the conveying region is received by the light-receiving unit to measure the internal quality of the agricultural product, The light-emitting unit is configured to have multiple light sources arranged across the entire width direction of the transport body, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport body, and each of the light sources can be individually switched on and off. The conveying means is a roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers as conveying bodies arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of conveying the agricultural products, and the passage area is the space between adjacent rollers. Multiple light-emitting units are arranged at different positions in the direction of transport by the transporter. The crop internal measurement device is characterized in that each light-emitting unit is arranged such that when one light-emitting unit is positioned opposite the space between the rollers, the other light-emitting units are positioned opposite the rollers.

2. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 1, An agricultural crop internal measurement device characterized by comprising a control device that illuminates only the light source among the aforementioned light sources that is located opposite the agricultural crop that has been transported by the transporter.

3. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 2, The control device is characterized in that it sets the timing for turning on the light source to the point when the crop, which has been transported by the transporter, reaches a position facing the light source.

4. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, The crop internal measurement device is characterized in that each of the aforementioned light sources is an LED light source or a laser light source.

5. An agricultural product internal quality measuring device comprising: a conveying means having a conveying body having a light-transmitting region and on which agricultural products are placed and conveyed; and a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged opposite each other, sandwiching the conveying body in the vertical direction, wherein light is emitted from the light-emitting unit toward the agricultural product, and the light that passes through the product and through the conveying region is received by the light-receiving unit to measure the internal quality of the agricultural product, The light-emitting section is provided over the entire width of the transport body, which is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport body. The light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources arranged across the transport width direction, and shutters arranged corresponding to the light-emitting side of each light source. Each shutter is switchable between an open position that emits light from the lit light source toward the light-receiving unit and a closed position that blocks the emission of light from the lit light source toward the light-receiving unit. The system includes a control device that sets only the shutter corresponding to the light source that is positioned opposite the agricultural product being transported by the transporter to the open position. The conveying means is a roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers as conveying bodies arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of conveying the agricultural products, and the passage area is the space between adjacent rollers. Multiple light-emitting units are arranged at different positions in the direction of transport by the transporter. The crop internal measurement device is characterized in that each light-emitting unit is arranged such that when one light-emitting unit is positioned opposite the space between the rollers, the other light-emitting units are positioned opposite the rollers.

6. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 5, The control device is characterized in that it sets the timing for switching the shutter from the closed position to the open position as the point when the agricultural product, which has been transported by the transporter, reaches a position facing the shutter.

7. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 5 or 6, The crop internal measurement device is characterized in that each of the aforementioned light sources is a halogen lamp.

8. In the crop internal measurement device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, The crop internal measurement device is characterized in that each of the light-emitting units has a different wavelength from the light source.

Images