Grain Quality Discrimination Optical Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain quality level discrimination devices face challenges in accuracy due to large size, cost, instability in light reception speed, and degradation of reference plates, which affect the precision of grain quality assessment.
Innovation Solution
A single optical unit with multiple light sources and filters allows simultaneous reception of reflected and transmitted light from upper, lower, and side surfaces of the grain, and a separate reference plate positioned away from the conveying unit to prevent damage and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two identical optical detection units are used to receive light from upper and lower surfaces of grains, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate optical detection units into a single optical detection unit that can simultaneously receive light from both upper and lower surfaces of grains. This is achieved by integrating multiple light receiving units with different receiving directions into one device, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to perform measurements from multiple surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical detection unit is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving light from upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and side surfaces of grains simultaneously. By making the optical detection unit multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate detection units for each surface, thereby reducing device size and complexity while preserving comprehensive measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If two optical detection units are arranged along grain conveying direction, then light reception from multiple surfaces is enabled, but light reception speed becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light receiving functions into a single optical detection unit, the patent eliminates the timing synchronization issues that arise when grains pass through multiple separate detection units at different positions. The simultaneous light reception from multiple surfaces within one unit ensures consistent measurement speed regardless of conveying speed fluctuations.
3Measurement precision
If reference plate is placed on conveying unit for correction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but reference plate degrades due to contact with grains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference plate from the conveying unit, placing it in a separate location away from the grain flow. This separation allows the reference plate to perform its correction function without being exposed to grains, thereby preventing degradation and damage while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separate reference plate positioning mechanism that acts as an intermediary, allowing the reference plate to be used for optical correction without direct contact with grains. This mediator approach enables the reference plate to fulfill its corrective function while being protected from harmful grain contact.
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
This configuration enhances the accuracy of grain quality discrimination by stabilizing light reception speed and reducing device size, while minimizing reference plate damage and maintenance, leading to improved precision and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter configured to transmit or reflect the particular light emitted by the particular light source is provided on the one surface side of the grain
Implementation Method 2
a photosensor adapted to receive reflected and/or transmitted light from the grain
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to improve the quality level discrimination accuracy of the grain G by a grain quality level discrimination device. The device includes an optical unit 3 that emits light to the grain G, receives reflected and/or transmitted light from the grain G by a photosensor, and obtains information for discrimination of the quality level of the grain G from the upper and lower surface side of the grain G, and a quality level discrimination unit 7 that discriminates the quality level of the grain G on the basis of the information. The information on the upper and lower surface sides can be acquired by one optical unit at the same time so that the divergence therebetween due to the displacement or variation of the attitude of the grain G can be avoided. The reference plate for the correction of the information is placed outside of the moving path of the grain G to prevent it from soiling or damaging. Thus the deterioration of information can be avoided. Further, a reference plate especially for the information to be obtained from the side surface of the grain G may be provided for enhancing the accuracy of the side surface information. Thus the quality level discrimination accuracy can be improved further.