Cracked Egg Detection Device

Abstract

This invention discloses a cracked egg detection device. The disclosed cracked egg detection device comprises two or more electrodes installed to contact the surface of an egg (E) that is conveyed while rotating and seated on an egg conveying roller on a conveyor, and an electrode assembly that moves an electric charge by applying a potential difference between the electrodes and measures the flow of the electric charge (current) to determine whether the egg is cracked and the degree of cracking, thereby enabling the determination of whether the egg is cracked by measuring the current that flows when the electrodes are in contact with the egg shell.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cracked egg detection device, and more specifically, to a cracked egg detection device that has high detection accuracy capable of detecting even micro-cracks without causing cracking of the egg by contacting an electrode to the eggshell and measuring the flow of charge (current) at that time to determine whether the egg is cracked. Background Technology

[0002] Since chicken secretions can contaminate the eggshells during the production process, quality control is crucial from the early stages of production.

[0003] In particular, cracked eggs can spoil or become infiltrated by bacteria during the distribution and sale process, potentially causing bacterial diseases when consumed. Specifically, eggs with fine cracks pose a high risk of exposure to foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni. Furthermore, if these eggs are mistakenly identified as normal at the time of collection and distributed, physical impact during distribution can cause the cracks to enlarge, resulting in bleached eggs and contaminating the surrounding normal eggs, thereby causing cross-contamination problems.

[0004] To prevent this, egg production farms are picking out all cracked eggs. Currently commercially available crack inspection devices check for cracks by striking the eggshell with a hammer and acquiring the sound generated to determine changes in wavelength, or by striking the surface of the egg with a hard sphere (bead) and checking for cracks based on the degree of rebound.

[0005] As prior art regarding such an inspection device for cracked eggs, there is Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2015-0097092 (published on August 26, 2015). This prior art discloses a cracked egg determination device comprising: a vibration driving unit for applying vibration to an egg while in contact with the egg; a vibration response detection unit for detecting a vibration response signal corresponding to the vibration applied by the vibration driving unit from the egg; a determination unit for determining whether the egg is cracked based on at least one of the resonance frequency and Q value (Quality factor) of the vibration response signal detected by the vibration response detection unit; and a transfer unit for moving the vibration driving unit and the vibration response detection unit or the egg relative to each other.

[0006] In addition, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1679401 (registered on November 18, 2016) discloses technology regarding a conveying unit that conveys eggs to be inspected along at least one conveying path, a main frame installed on the upper side of the conveying path, a striking unit installed on the main frame and driven by a driving unit provided on the main frame and striking the eggs to be inspected conveyed along the conveying path multiple times, a plurality of microphones mounted on the main frame along the conveying path and collecting sound waves of the eggs to be inspected struck by the striking unit, and a cracked egg determination device that analyzes and processes the sound wave signals collected through the microphones to determine whether the eggs to be inspected are cracked eggs or normal eggs.

[0007] In addition, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2219114 (registered on February 17, 2021) comprises a frame installed above a conveyor, a plurality of striking support shafts installed across the frame in the width direction, a plurality of striking plates installed on the striking support shafts and equipped with rebound detection sensors, a striking assembly member that fixes the striking plates to the striking support shafts and has a striking guide projection formed on one side, an elastic member that applies force to cause the end of the striking plate to move closer to the conveyor, a plurality of rotational support shafts installed on the frame, a striking guide member that contacts the striking guide projection to restrict the rotation of the striking plate, a driving motor, a power transmission device, a central processing unit that determines whether a crack has occurred by comparing the detected rebound force, and a display device that indicates the location of the cracked egg. A single striking plate is installed on the striking support shaft located in the odd-numbered row to strike the center of the egg, and a pair of striking plates are installed on the striking support shaft located in the even-numbered row to strike both ends of the egg, with each having a different phase. Technology regarding a cracked egg detection device installed by placement is disclosed.

[0008] However, the aforementioned conventional technologies are techniques for inspecting eggs by striking them with tools such as a hammer, which have the disadvantage of actually expanding the cracking area or causing normal eggs with weak shells to be struck, thereby inducing cracks that were not present during the inspection process. In particular, with these conventional inspection methods, it is very difficult to identify eggs with micro-cracks or hairline cracks in the shell.

[0009] Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of a cracked egg detection device that can detect even hairline cracks (micro-cracks) in eggs without causing unnecessary cracking of the eggs. Prior art literature

[0010] KR Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0097092 KR Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1679401 KR Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2219114 The problem to be solved

[0011] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art and aims to provide a cracked egg detection device that determines whether an egg is cracked by contacting an electrode to the eggshell and measuring the flow of charge (current). In particular, the invention aims to provide a cracked egg detection device with high detection accuracy that can detect even micro-cracks without causing cracking in the egg, by installing the electrode bars so that they can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg when the egg contacts and passes through the lower part of the electrode bars, and by installing a spring at the top of the electrode bars so that the electrode bars contact the surface of the egg with a constant force. means of solving the problem

[0012] The above objective is achieved by the egg crack detection device provided according to the present invention.

[0013] A cracked egg detection device provided according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: two or more electrodes installed to contact the surface of an egg being transported while rotating on an egg transport roller on a conveyor; an electrode assembly that moves electric charge by applying a potential difference between the electrodes and measures the flow of electric charge (current) to determine the presence or absence of cracking and the degree of cracking of the egg; wherein the electrode assembly comprises two or more electrode bars having different phases or polarities, with the lower portions installed to contact the upper surface of the eggshell; electrode fixing wheels, the upper portions of which are fixed so that the electrode bars can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg when the egg contacts and passes the lower portions of the electrode bars; an insulating shaft on which the electrode fixing wheels are installed to rotate in place; and insulating plates installed between the electrode fixing wheels installed on the insulating shaft. It includes a tension member comprising a spring, the other end of which is fixed to a spring fixing bar, and the spring support block on which the spring fixing bar is installed, so that the lower part of the electrode bars fixed to the electrode fixing member contacts the surface of the egg with a constant force, so that the lower part of the electrode bars contacting the egg contact the surface of the egg contact the electrode fixing member; and an electrode support member made of a non-conductive material installed at the lower part adjacent to the electrode fixing wheel to support the lower part of the electrode bars so that the lower part of the electrode bars contacting the surface of the egg contact the tension member does not go down further than a set position.

[0014] It is preferable that the electrode bars be arranged in a zigzag pattern to make even contact with the top surface of the eggshell.

[0015] In order for the electrode bars to make even contact with the curved surface of the egg and to ensure that the egg separates simultaneously when it comes into contact with the electrode bars and when it leaves them, it is preferable that each electrode bar be installed with a different length and angle.

[0016] It is preferable to supply power to the above electrode bar through a spring fixing bar or to supply power by contacting the electrode fixing wheel using a carbon brush.

[0017] It is preferable to further include an infrared sensor installed on one side of the above electrode assembly, and to check for the presence or absence of an egg on the conveyor using the infrared sensor, and to apply power to the electrode assembly only when an egg is detected, so that when an electric current (flow of charge) flows through the egg liquid inside the surface of the cracked egg, the current is measured to determine whether the egg is cracked and the degree of cracking. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to the following embodiment of the present invention, unlike conventional cracked egg detectors, it is possible to detect even fine cracks without causing cracking in the egg itself, thereby providing the effect of providing high detection accuracy.

[0019] In addition, since the present invention can be applied to the egg transport process, it occupies less space and enables rapid identification compared to batch sorting that requires a separate sorting chamber, thus having the effect of being easily installed and used even at the site of a small-scale business. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a cracked egg detection device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the installation state of electrode bars provided in a cracked egg detection device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 1, showing the state in which electrode bars are in contact with the surface of an egg, and FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a cracked egg detection device according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0022] Prior to the description of the present invention, the following specific structural or functional descriptions are provided merely for the purpose of illustrating embodiments according to the concept of the present invention. Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0023] In addition, since embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0024] In addition, the configurations of the present invention are interpreted to include not only direct contact or connection but also contact or connection between configurations through other configurations within the same scope.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a cracked egg detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the installation state of electrode bars provided in the cracked egg detection device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 1, showing the state in which the electrode bars come into contact with the surface of an egg.

[0026] As illustrated in the drawing, the cracked egg detection device according to the present invention includes an electrode assembly (100). The electrode assembly (100) is preferably equipped with two or more electrodes to contact the surface of an egg (E) that is conveyed while rotating and seated on an egg conveying roller (12) on a conveyor (10), and to move charges by applying a potential difference between the electrodes and measuring the flow of charges (current) to determine whether the egg is cracked and the degree of cracking.

[0027] As described above, the electrode assembly (100) is equipped with two or more electrode bars (110). These electrode bars (110) are configured to have different phases or polarities and are installed so that the lower portions of the electrode bars (110) contact the upper surface of the eggshell. At this time, it is preferable to arrange the electrode bars (110) in a zigzag pattern so that they contact the upper surface of the eggshell evenly.

[0028] In addition, it is preferable that each electrode bar (110) be installed with different lengths and different angles so that the electrode bars (110) contact the curved surface of the egg (E) evenly and separate simultaneously when the egg (E) contacts the electrode bars (110) and when it detaches from the electrode bars (110). That is, it is preferable that the electrode bar located in the middle of the egg (E) be formed shorter in length, and the electrode bars located on both sides of the egg (E) be formed longer in length. In addition, it is preferable that the electrode bars located in the center and on both sides of the egg (E) be installed at different angles so that the electrode bars contact the entire surface of the egg.

[0029] As described above, the electrode assembly (100) includes an electrode fixing part (120) for fixing electrode bars (110). The electrode fixing part (120) is installed so that the electrode bars (110) can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg (E) when an egg (E) comes into contact with and passes through the lower part of the electrode bars (110). The upper side of the electrode bars (110) is fixed to electrode fixing wheels (122), and the electrode fixing wheels (122) are installed on an insulating shaft (124) so ​​that they can rotate in place. It is preferable that the electrode fixing wheels (122) be made of a conductor, so that power can be supplied well by contacting the electrode fixing wheels (122) using a carbon brush or the like. It is preferable to install insulating plates (126) between the electrode fixing wheels (122) installed on the insulating shaft (124).

[0030] As described above, the electrode assembly (100) includes a tension member (130) for ensuring that the lower portions of the electrode bars (110), which are fixed to the electrode fixing member (120), contact the surface of the egg (E) with a constant force. It is preferable that one end of a spring (132) is fixed to the opposite end of the electrode bars (110) that contact the egg (E), and the other end of the spring (132) is fixed to a spring fixing bar (134) to pull the lower portions of the electrode bars (110) with appropriate tension so that they make good contact with the surface of the egg. At this time, the spring fixing bar (134) is installed on a spring support block (136). It is preferable that the spring support block (136) be formed from a plastic material that is an insulator. In addition, it is preferable that the spring fixing bar (134) also be formed from a conductor, for the reason that power is supplied through the spring fixing bar (134). The electrode assembly (100) is configured such that the lower portion of the electrode bars (110) that contact the surface of the egg (E) by the tension member (130) does not go down below a set position, and an electrode support member (140) is installed at the lower portion adjacent to the electrode fixing wheel (122) to support the lower portion of the electrode bars (110). It is preferable that the electrode support member (140) be formed of an insulator.

[0031] An infrared sensor (200) is installed on one side of the electrode assembly (100). The infrared sensor (200) checks for the presence or absence of an egg (E) on the conveyor (10), and power is applied to the electrode assembly (100) only when an egg (E) is detected. When an electric current (flow of charge) flows through the egg liquid inside the surface of the cracked egg (E), the current is measured to determine whether the egg (E) is cracked and the degree of cracking.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a cracked egg detection device according to the present invention.

[0033] As shown in the drawing, when an egg (E) is detected by the infrared sensor (200) while rotating and transporting on the egg transport roller (12) on the conveyor (10) (S1), the detection signal is confirmed by the cracked egg detection unit (MCU) (S2), and the cracked egg detection unit (MCU) applies power to the electrode bar (110) (S3). The voltage at this time is converted into an analog or digital signal by the A / D converter (S4). At this time, the cracked egg detection unit (MCU) is able to measure the current value flowing through the egg shell based on the current value received from the A / D converter. That is, the detection program of the cracked egg detection unit (MCU) determines whether it is a normal egg or a cracked egg based on the current signal received from the A / D converter. For example, the cracked egg detection unit (MCU) determines that if the current value is below a preset threshold, it is determined to be a normal egg (S5), and if the current is above the threshold, it is determined to be a cracked egg (S6).

[0034] According to the present invention with the configuration described above, in the automatic egg sorting process, an egg (E) is placed on an egg conveying roller (12) and conveyed while rotating. Two or more electrode bars (110) having different phases or polarities are arranged in a zigzag pattern on the upper surface of the eggshell. The shape of the electrode bars (110) must be in contact with the curved surface of the egg evenly, and in order to ensure that the egg is separated simultaneously when it comes into contact with the electrode bars (110) and when it leaves the electrodes, each electrode bar (110) is installed to have a different length and a different angle. Additionally, the electrode bars (110) are fixed to a circular electrode fixing wheel (122), and an electrode insulating plate (126) is installed between the electrode bars to provide insulation. The electrode fixing wheel (122) is installed on an insulating shaft (124) so ​​that the electrode bars (110) can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg as it passes through. And a spring (132) is fixed to the end opposite the contact portion of the electrode bar (110) so that the lower end of the electrode bar is pulled with appropriate tension to ensure good contact with the surface of the egg. An electrode support bar (140) is installed at the lower end of the electrode bar (110) so that it does not go down below a predetermined position. Power is supplied through the spring fixing bar (134) or by contacting the electrode fixing wheel (122) using a carbon brush.

[0035] Accordingly, the present invention moves electric charge by applying a potential difference to an electrode bar installed to contact the surface of an egg being transported while rotating on an egg transport roller (12) provided on a conveyor. At this time, since the surface of the egg is calcareous and has the properties of an insulator, electric charge cannot move on the surface of the egg without cracks. Conversely, if cracks exist on the surface of the egg, the electric charge can easily move through the egg liquid (conductor) in the gaps. That is, it utilizes the fact that the egg liquid contains nearly 10% sodium, which gives it the properties of a conductor that allows electric charge to move more easily than water.

[0036] Using this principle, the present invention measures the current when an electric current (flow of electric charge) is generated through the egg liquid inside the surface of a cracked egg, thereby determining whether the egg is cracked and the degree of cracking. Through multiple experiments, it was confirmed that the current value was measured to be high in cracked eggs with a wide gap in the shell.

[0037] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of not causing egg cracking, unlike conventional cracked egg detectors, by contacting an electrode to the eggshell and measuring the flow of charge (current) to determine whether the egg is cracked.

[0038] In addition, the present invention is characterized by having high detection accuracy capable of detecting even microcracks, by installing electrode bars so that they can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg, and installing springs on the tops of the electrode bars so that the electrode bars contact the surface of the egg with a constant force.

[0039] In addition, since the present invention can be applied to the egg transport process, it occupies less space and enables rapid identification compared to batch sorting that requires a separate sorting chamber, making it easy to use even in small-scale business sites. Explanation of the symbols

[0040] 100 : Electrode assembly 110 : Transfer bar 120 : Electrode fixing part 122 : Electrode fixing wheel 124 : Insulating shaft 126 : Insulating plate 130 : Tension part 132 : Spring 134 : Spring fixing bar 136 : Spring support block 140 : Electrode support 200: Infrared sensor

Claims

Claim 1 The apparatus comprises two or more electrodes installed to contact the surface of an egg (E) that is seated on an egg conveying roller on a conveyor and rotates while being conveyed, and an electrode assembly that moves electric charge by applying a potential difference between the electrodes and measures the flow of electric charge (current) to determine the presence or absence of cracking and the degree of cracking of the egg, wherein the electrode assembly comprises two or more electrode bars having different phases or polarities, with the lower portions installed to contact the upper surface of the eggshell; an electrode fixing part comprising an electrode fixing wheel, the upper portion of which is fixed so that the electrode bars can move freely up and down according to the size of the egg (E) when the egg (E) contacts and passes the lower portions of the electrode bars, an insulating shaft installed to allow the electrode fixing wheels to rotate in place, and an insulating plate installed between the electrode fixing wheels installed on the insulating shaft. A cracked egg detection device comprising: a tension member comprising a spring, wherein one end of which is fixed to the opposite end of the electrode bars contacting the egg (E) so that the lower part of the electrode bars fixed to the electrode fixing member contacts the surface of the egg (E) with a constant force, a spring fixing bar, wherein the other end of which is fixed to the spring, and a spring support block on which the spring fixing bar is installed; and an electrode support member comprising an insulator, wherein the lower part of the electrode bars contacting the surface of the egg (E) is installed at the lower part adjacent to the electrode fixing wheel and supports the lower part of the electrode bars so that the lower part of the electrode bars contacting the surface of the egg (E) does not go down further than a set position by the tension member. Claim 2 A cracked egg detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode bars are arranged in a zigzag pattern to make even contact with the upper surface of the eggshell. Claim 3 A cracked egg detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode bars are installed to have different lengths and different angles so that they contact the curved surface of the egg (E) evenly and separate simultaneously when the egg (E) contacts the electrode bars and when it detaches from the electrode bars. Claim 4 A cracked egg detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that power is supplied to the electrode bar through the spring fixing bar or by using a carbon brush to make contact with the electrode fixing wheel. Claim 5 A cracked egg detection device according to claim 1, wherein an infrared sensor is further installed on one side of the electrode assembly, and the infrared sensor checks for the presence or absence of an egg (E) on a conveyor, and power is applied to the electrode assembly only when an egg (E) is detected, and the current flowing through the egg liquid inside the surface of the cracked egg (E) is measured to determine the presence or absence of cracking and the degree of cracking of the egg (E).

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