Automated Fruit Inspection and Sorting for Accurate High-Speed Grading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual sorting of fruits is time-consuming and laborious, making it inefficient for fruit farmers to meet the diverse preferences of consumers.
Innovation Solution
A fruit quality inspecting and sorting appliance that includes a conveying module, weighing module, internal quality inspection module, external quality inspection module, and sorting module, all connected through a control module, which automates the process of weighing, inspecting, and sorting fruits based on preset criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sorting is used to categorize fruits by quality and characteristics, then sorting accuracy can be achieved through human observation, but the process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical sorting system with an automated inspection system using electronic devices. The system uses cameras to capture fruit images, sensors to measure physical characteristics, and computer algorithms to automatically classify fruits by quality, sweetness, and other parameters, eliminating manual labor while maintaining or improving sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary devices between the fruits and the sorting decision. These include imaging devices that capture visual characteristics, sensing devices that measure physical properties, and control systems that process data and determine sorting categories. These intermediaries enable automated, precise measurement without direct human intervention
2Productivity
If automated inspection equipment is introduced to reduce labor, then sorting efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional integrated system where a single inspection device performs multiple tasks: capturing images, measuring color, assessing quality, and determining sorting categories. This universal approach consolidates what could be multiple separate complex devices into one coordinated system, improving productivity while managing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses imaging devices to create visual copies of fruits for analysis. By capturing images and using these digital representations for measurement and classification, the system avoids the need for physical manipulation or complex mechanical testing devices, simplifying the overall equipment while maintaining high sorting efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The appliance significantly reduces labor intensity and improves efficiency by automating the sorting process, allowing for precise categorization of fruits according to quality and characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the fruit suction disc structure includes a negative pressure suction device and a plurality of suction discs, the plurality of suction discs are arranged on the moving structure at intervals and connected with the negative pressure suction device
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fruit quality inspecting and sorting appliance. The fruit quality inspecting and sorting appliance includes: a conveying module; a weighing module, which cooperates with the conveying module to convey weighed fruits through the conveying module; an internal quality inspection module, which cooperates with the conveying module and performs an internal quality inspection to the weighed fruits; an external quality inspection module, which cooperates with the conveying module and performs an external quality inspection to the fruits after the internal quality inspection; a sorting module, which cooperates with the conveying module, and sorts the fruits passing through the weighing module, the internal quality inspection module and the external quality inspection module; and a control module electrically connected with the conveying module, the weighing module, the internal quality inspection module, the external quality inspection module and the sorting module.