Optical Sorting Machine Discharge Hopper for Non-Defective Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sorting machines face challenges in increasing the collection rate of non-defective products without expanding machine size and efficiently collecting non-defective products due to limited processing capacity and increased size and cost from requiring multiple sorting units.
Innovation Solution
The optical sorting machine incorporates a discharge hopper with a third passage for interlevel products, allowing for re-sorting of products with changed trajectories, and multiple feed and sorting units to enhance collection efficiency without increasing machine size, along with angle adjustment plates to optimize discharge passage entry amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two sets of sorting units are provided in parallel to improve the collection rate of non-defective products, then the collection rate of non-defective products is improved, but the machine size and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hopper is segmented into multiple discharge passages (first, second, and third discharge passages) to handle different types of products separately. This allows the single sorting unit to process multiple product streams simultaneously, improving the collection rate of non-defective products without requiring multiple complete sorting units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the discharge hopper by providing discharge passages at different heights (first discharge passage at highest position, second at lowest, third in between). This three-dimensional arrangement allows simultaneous discharge of different product types from a single sorting unit, effectively increasing processing capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint of the machine.
2Reliability
If two sets of sorting units are provided in parallel to improve the collection rate of non-defective products, then the collection rate of non-defective products is improved, but the cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hopper is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple product streams within a single sorting unit. The first discharge passage discharges non-defective products, the second discharge passage discharges defective products, and the third discharge passage discharges interlevel products. This universal design eliminates the need for separate sorting units for different product types, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining high collection rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple sorting units into a single sorting unit by combining multiple discharge passages with different discharge destinations. The discharge hopper integrates the discharge functions that would otherwise require separate sorting units, thereby reducing the overall system cost while achieving the same improvement in non-defective product collection rate.
3Reliability
If a secondary sorting unit is provided to collect non-defective products from defective products, then the collection rate of non-defective products is improved, but the processing capacity is limited due to machine size
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hopper is segmented into multiple discharge passages (first, second, and third discharge passages) to handle different types of products separately. This allows the single sorting unit to process multiple product streams simultaneously, improving the collection rate of non-defective products without requiring multiple complete sorting units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the discharge hopper by providing discharge passages at different heights (first discharge passage at highest position, second at lowest, third in between). This three-dimensional arrangement allows simultaneous discharge of different product types from a single sorting unit, effectively increasing processing capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint of the machine.
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 improves the collection rate of non-defective products by re-sorting interlevel products and optimizing the mix rate of defective products, enhancing processing capacity and purity without enlarging the machine.
Implementation Method 1
detects defective products or foreign objects included in the raw material upon receiving reflected light or the like from the granular objects
Implementation Method 2
removes the detected defective products or foreign objects by, for example, ejecting air to the granular objects falling along the predetermined trajectory
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention intends to provide an optical sorting machine which can improve the collection rate of non-defective products without increasing the size of the machine. The optical sorting machine of the present invention includes a granular object feed unit including storage means that stores an object to be sorted, and transfer means that transfers the object to be sorted from the storage means; an optical sorting unit including optical detection means that detects an object to be sorted falling along a predetermined trajectory from an end portion of the transfer means, determination means that determines a type of the object to be sorted based on a detection signal from the optical detection means, an ejector that removes an object to be sorted determined as a specific type from the predetermined falling trajectory based on a determination result by the determination means, and a discharge hopper having a first discharge passage provided at a falling position of the object to be sorted falling along the predetermined trajectory, a second discharge passage provided at a falling position of the object to be sorted removed from the predetermined falling trajectory, and a third discharge passage formed between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage; and conveyance means that conveys an object to be sorted discharged from the third discharge passage of the discharge hopper in the optical sorting unit to the storage means of the granular object feed unit.