Paddy Discriminator Optical Sorting Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paddy discriminators face challenges in accurately distinguishing between paddy and brown rice due to low husking ratios and confusion caused by shape and color sorting mechanisms, as well as limited information acquisition from strobe photophores, leading to reduced sorting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A paddy discriminator that uses a downflow gutter with a light emission source providing red, green, and blue illumination components, allowing for the acquisition of both reflected and transmitted light components, enabling accurate discrimination based on the light reception amounts of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shape sorting or color sorting mechanisms are used to separate paddy and brown rice, then sorting can be performed, but sorting accuracy decreases due to confusion when paddy has similar length or color to brown rice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shape sorting and color sorting mechanisms with optical detection using light emission sources and light receiving elements. This substitution enables accurate discrimination of paddy from brown rice by detecting light reflection and transmission characteristics, achieving over 95% sorting accuracy without the confusion inherent in mechanical sorting methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from physical shape or color appearance to optical properties (light reflection and transmission). By using multiple wavelengths of light and measuring how paddy and brown rice differently reflect and transmit light, the system achieves accurate discrimination based on fundamental optical parameter differences rather than superficial characteristics
2Ease of operation
If a swing sorting section with recessed portions is used to separate brown rice from paddy, then shape sorting is achieved, but sorting fails when paddy has the same length as brown rice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical swing sorting section with an optical detection system using light emission sources and light receiving elements positioned to detect reflected and transmitted light. This substitution eliminates the limitation of mechanical sorting where paddy of similar length to brown rice cannot be distinguished, achieving accurate discrimination through optical property differences
3Extent of automation
If color sorting by monochronic sensor is used to identify paddy, then automated sorting is achieved, but discrimination accuracy decreases due to confusion between brown rice and paddy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light detection into multiple independent measurement channels: reflected light detection and transmitted light detection, each using different wavelengths. This segmentation allows the system to gather comprehensive optical information and accurately distinguish paddy from brown rice by analyzing their different optical responses across multiple channels, eliminating the confusion of single-sensor color sorting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional optical detection system that simultaneously performs both reflected light measurement and transmitted light measurement. This universal system can accurately identify both paddy and brown rice by combining information from multiple optical measurement modes, achieving superior discrimination accuracy compared to single-function monochronic sensors
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 solution significantly enhances the accuracy of paddy and brown rice discrimination by leveraging the distinct light reflectivity and transmissivity characteristics of paddy and brown rice, allowing for quick and precise sorting without complex processing, and also identifies foreign matter, thereby improving the overall husking ratio and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
light receiving means capable of receiving reflected light and transmitted light from the mixed grains irradiated with light by the light emission source
Implementation Method 2
acquisition of both reflected and transmitted light components, enabling accurate discrimination based on the light reception amounts of these components
Data Source
AI summary
A paddy discriminator includes a downflow gutter in which mixed grains including paddy and brown rice are aligned and flow down, a light emission source that irradiates the mixed grains discharged from the downflow gutter with light, and light receiving means capable of receiving reflected light and transmitted light from the mixed grains irradiated with light by the light emission source, wherein the light emission source includes first illumination means that is provided on a light receiving means side of the mixed grains and is capable of irradiating the mixed grains with light of a red component, and second illumination means that is provided on a side away from the light receiving means of the mixed grains and is capable of irradiating the mixed grains with light of a green component.