Rear-Illuminated Optical Sorting Device for Grain Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sorting devices for grains and resin pellets face challenges such as size increase, cumbersome assembly, and unsuitability for mass production due to the need for a large distance between optical detection and sorting slits, which also leads to reduced sorting accuracy and potential for dust adhesion affecting performance.
Innovation Solution
The optical sorting device integrates the rear-side illuminating portion and ejector nozzle onto a single base member, reducing size and distance between detection and sorting slits, and uses an air curtain to prevent dust from entering the rear surface side, enhancing sorting accuracy and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the distance between optical detection slit and sorting slit is increased to improve sorting accuracy, then sorting accuracy is improved, but device size increases and assembly becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the illuminating portion from the front surface side to the rear surface side of the chute, utilizing the depth dimension (third dimension) rather than only the lateral dimension. This allows the optical detection slit and sorting slit to be positioned closer together laterally while maintaining adequate illumination path length, thereby improving sorting accuracy without increasing overall device size or assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the illuminating portion on the front surface side of the chute (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by placing it on the rear surface side. This inversion allows the light to illuminate grains from behind as they pass through the optical detection slit, enabling shorter distance between detection and sorting slits while maintaining illumination effectiveness.
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between optical detection slit and sorting slit is reduced to minimize device size, then device size is reduced, but sorting accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the rear surface side of the chute for illumination, the patent extends the light path in the depth dimension, compensating for the reduced lateral distance between slits. This maintains sufficient illumination for accurate optical detection even when slits are positioned close together, preserving sorting accuracy in a compact device.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverted illumination arrangement from the rear surface side enables effective lighting over shorter lateral distances, allowing the device to be compact while maintaining the necessary optical path length for accurate grain detection and sorting.
3Device complexity
If optical detection slit is formed on chute without protective measures, then device structure is simple, but dust enters rear surface side and adheres to equipment causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illuminating portion from the front surface side and relocates it to the rear surface side of the chute. This separation removes the source of potential dust contamination from the optical path, allowing the optical detection slit to remain open without protective covers that would complicate the structure, while rear surface equipment is protected from dust by the chute's physical barrier.
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 results in a more compact, easily assembled, and accurate optical sorting device suitable for mass production, with improved resistance to dust-induced performance degradation.
Implementation Method 1
an air curtain forming portion that forms an air curtain that prevents dust and the like from entering through the optical detection slit 12 to the rear surface side
Implementation Method 2
a grain determined as a defective grain is removed from flowing-down grains with high-pressure ejected air ejected from the ejector nozzle
Implementation Method 3
Grains such as cereal grains, beans, or resin pellets may be sorted into non-defective grains and defective grains based on the color or the like
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an optical sorting device including a chute having an optical detection slit and a sorting and removal slit arranged on a downstream side of the optical detection slit, an object to be sorted flowing down on a front surface of the chute. A rear-side illuminating portion of an optical inspection unit and an ejector nozzle are attached to a rear-side housing. The rear-side housing is installed on a rear surface side of the chute such that the rear-side illuminating portion faces the optical detection slit, and a leading end of the ejector nozzle faces the sorting and removal slit.