JP2009233581A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting device capable of efficiently sorting objects according to their sizes without giving any crack to the objects such as crops from a relatively simple arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The sorting device 1 designed to sort the objects according to predetermined requirements is provided with a separating and transferring means 20 transferring the objects while separating them. The separating and transferring means 20 is designed by using a plurality of conveyors arranged nearly in parallel and the opposing conveyors are driven at different speeds. The opposing conveyors are arranged in a V shape in a cross section in a direction of travel and in a zigzag shape in the direction of travel. The driving speed of one conveyor of the opposing conveyors, having an end poind in a more downstream side, is set at a speed higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus. Specifically, for example, the present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that can efficiently sort according to the size and the like of a crop such as potato supplied irregularly without scratching.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, producers or production associations that produce crops such as potatoes have performed operations such as harvesting, sorting, and shipping at the time of crop harvesting. Among these, the “sorting” work is performed by large-scale producers and production associations using various sorters, but most of the small-scale producers (hereinafter “ “General producers”) do not have a sorting device or the like from the viewpoint of cost or the like, and therefore usually perform sorting manually.

  Since general producers require a long time for harvesting at harvest time, it is a fact that manual sorting and shipping are performed until late at night. Further, when manual sorting is performed, there may be variations in sorting standards depending on the individual ability of the producer. Therefore, in recent years, it has been desired to develop a sorting apparatus that can realize the efficiency of sorting work by a general producer.

  Various devices are known as sorting devices according to the prior art, and these sorting devices according to these conventional technologies are generally "separation transporting means" for transporting the crops supplied irregularly while separating them, It is configured using a “stable alignment transport unit” that transports farm products and the like in a stable alignment state, a “sort transport unit” that sorts and transports crops and the like according to predetermined requirements, and the like.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-27856

  As described above, the sorting apparatus according to the prior art is configured by using the “separation transport unit”, the “stable alignment transport unit”, the “sort transport unit”, and the like. In order to convey the etc., it has drive means, such as a conveyor. Moreover, in the prior art, a diaphragm is used or a conveyance path is narrowed as a means for separating irregularly supplied crops and the like.

  In the sorting apparatus according to the related art configured as described above, by using the configuration using the diaphragm, there is a risk that the farm products rub against each other and the farm products may be scratched. Moreover, even if it is set as the structure which narrowed the conveyance path | route, there exists a possibility that agricultural products may contact a conveyance path | route and a crop may be damaged. In addition, there is a technology that adopts a configuration in which the crop is dropped from a high position or pressed from above in other transport means or the configuration before and after that, but even with such a configuration, the crop There is a risk of scratching.

  In other words, the sorting device according to the prior art has a problem that it is difficult to appropriately convey the crops without scratching them.

  Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and based on a relatively simple configuration to reduce costs, without damaging an object such as a crop, It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting apparatus that can efficiently perform sorting processing according to its size and the like.

  A sorting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is made to solve the above-described problem, and is a sorting apparatus configured to sort an object according to a predetermined requirement, and separates the object. The separating and conveying means is configured to use a plurality of conveyors arranged substantially in parallel, and the opposing conveyors are driven at different speeds. It is characterized by.

According to such a configuration, the separating and conveying means is configured by using a plurality of conveyors arranged substantially in parallel, and the opposing conveyors are driven at different speeds. The object supplied to the conveying means is appropriately separated by the speed difference between the opposed conveyors. More specifically, even if a large number of the objects are supplied to the separating and conveying means, the objects rotate on the separating and conveying means due to the speed difference between the opposed conveyors. Therefore, the object is not overlapped. That is, according to such a configuration, the object can be appropriately separated without scratching the object.
Therefore, according to the sorting apparatus provided with the separation conveying means, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate separation process is performed without scratching an object such as an agricultural product, and then the size thereof is adjusted. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a sorting device that can efficiently perform sorting processing.

  In the sorting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the opposing conveyors are disposed in a V-shaped cross section in the traveling direction, and are arranged in a staggered pattern in the traveling direction. It is preferable that the driving speed of one conveyor having the end point on the downstream side among the opposed conveyors is set to be higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor. In other words, in the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the opposing conveyors constituting the separating and conveying means are set at positions where at least one of the start point and the end point is different, and the speeds of these conveyors are set in the traveling direction. The one provided on the downstream side (the one on which the end point is provided on the downstream side) is configured to increase the speed gradually.

According to such a configuration, the object rotates along the higher-speed conveyor, and the high-speed conveyor is alternately arranged on the left and right (in a zigzag manner). It is not biased to one side and is properly transported while being separated one by one.
Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate separation process is performed without scratching an object such as an agricultural product, and thereafter, it is efficiently sorted according to its size and the like. A sorting device capable of performing processing can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the sorting apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is a sorting apparatus configured to sort an object according to a predetermined requirement in the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect, and is in a collective state. Inclined conveying means for conveying the object from a lower position to an upper position, and a separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object, the inclined conveying means is formed into an endless inclined conveyor, And a movable crosspiece provided on the inclined conveyor, and the movable crosspiece moves in a state of standing substantially vertically on the inclined conveyor when the inclined conveyor moves upward. And when the said inclined conveyor moves downward, it is comprised so that it may move in the state which flattened to the said inclined conveyor.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a sorting device having the effect of the above-described separating and conveying means. In addition, according to such a configuration, the inclined conveying means is configured using an inclined conveyor and a movable beam portion formed in an endless shape, and the movable beam portion is located above the inclined conveyor. When moving, it moves in a state of standing upright on the inclined conveyor, and when the inclined conveyor moves downward, it moves in a flat state on the inclined conveyor, so the object is scratched. The object can be conveyed from the lower position to the upper position without any damage, and the object is not damaged when the object is separated from the inclined conveyor. More specifically, when the inclined conveyor moves upward, the movable bar automatically stands up, so that a large number of the objects can be conveyed to the upper position without being scratched. . In addition, when the inclined conveyor moves downward, the movable bar automatically becomes flat, so that the object is not caught or bitten, and the inclined object is not damaged. It can be separated from the conveying means.
Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate conveyance process and an appropriate separation process from the lower position to the upper position are performed without scratching an object such as a crop, and thereafter Thus, it is possible to obtain a sorting apparatus capable of efficiently performing a sorting process according to the size and the like.

  In the sorting device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect, the inclined conveyor is configured by connecting a plurality of unit roller portions, and the movable bar portion has a predetermined interval. The unit roller portion is rotatably attached, and a crosspiece support portion is provided at a lower position of the inclined conveyor, and the movable crosspiece portion rotates by contacting the crosspiece support portion, The movable crosspiece is configured to be in a standing state or a flat state.

  According to such a configuration, when moving upward, it moves in an upright state with respect to the inclined conveyor, and when the inclined conveyor moves downward, it moves in a flat state on the inclined conveyor. It is possible to realize the inclined conveying means having the movable crosspiece portion based on a relatively simple configuration. Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a sorting device having all the effects of the third aspect described above.

  Furthermore, the sorting device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a sorting device configured to sort an object according to a predetermined requirement in any of the configurations of the first to fourth modes, Inclined conveying means for conveying the object in a state from a lower position to an upper position, a separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object, and a stable alignment conveying means for conveying the object in a stable alignment state The stable alignment conveying means is configured using an endlessly formed chain portion and an elastic pressing means detachably provided on the chain portion, and the elastic pressing means is the object. It is configured to drive at a speed substantially the same as that of the object while holding the object.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a sorting device having the effect of the above-described separating and conveying means. Further, depending on the case, it is possible to obtain a sorting apparatus that also has the effect of the above-described inclined conveying means. Further, according to such a configuration, the stable alignment transport unit is configured using an endlessly formed chain portion and an elastic pressing unit, and the elastic pressing unit presses the object. Since it is configured to be driven at substantially the same speed as the object, the object can be aligned and transported in a stable state without scratching the object. More specifically, according to this configuration, the elastic pressing means is configured to press the object, and the elastic pressing means is configured to be driven at a speed substantially the same as the conveyance speed of the object. Therefore, an extra load is not applied to the object, and the influence of friction or the like can be minimized.
Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate conveyance process from the lower position to the upper position, an appropriate separation process, and a stable operation without damaging an object such as an agricultural product. It is possible to obtain a sorting apparatus capable of performing the sorting and conveying process and then efficiently performing the sorting process according to the size and the like.

  A sorting device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is made to solve the above-described problem, and is a sorting device configured to sort an object according to predetermined requirements, and is in a collective state. Inclined conveying means for conveying a certain object from a lower position to an upper position, a separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object, a stable alignment conveying means for conveying the object in a stable alignment state, Based on the image information of the object, an object determination unit that performs a determination process on the predetermined requirement for each object, and a classification that sorts and conveys the object to a predetermined location based on the determination process result in the object determination unit Transporting means, and the inclined transporting means is configured by using an inclined conveyor formed endlessly and a movable beam provided on the inclined conveyor, However, when the inclined conveyor moves upward, it moves in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to the inclined conveyor, and when the inclined conveyor moves downward, it moves in a flat state on the inclined conveyor. The separating and conveying means is configured using a plurality of conveyors arranged substantially in parallel, and the opposing conveyor is set at a position where at least one of the start point and the end point is different, The opposed conveyors are arranged in a cross section V-shaped in the traveling direction, and are arranged in a staggered manner in the traveling direction, and drive one conveyor having an end point on the further downstream side among the opposed conveyors The speed is set to be higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor, and the stable alignment conveying means is provided in an endlessly formed chain portion and detachably provided on the chain portion. Sex retainer is configured with a means, the elastic pressing means is characterized by being driven at substantially the same speed as the object in a state of holding the object. According to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, a sorting device capable of efficiently performing a sorting process according to the size or the like without scratching an object such as a crop. Obtainable.

  According to the present invention, based on a relatively simple configuration, a sorting device capable of efficiently performing sorting processing according to the size or the like without scratching an object (a crop, fruit, etc.) Can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (partially sectional view) of the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view (partially sectional view) of the inclined conveying means 10 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the separating / conveying means 20 constituting the sorting device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic perspective view of the separating / conveying means 20. FIG. 4B is a schematic top view of the separating / conveying means 20, and FIG. 4C is an AA sectional view, a BB sectional view, and a CC sectional view in FIG. 4B. Is. Further, FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the stable alignment transport means 30 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (a) is a schematic perspective view of the stable alignment transport means 30. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5B show a schematic side view of the stable alignment transport means 30. FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the hand conveying means 60 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (a) shows the hand conveying means 60 during the conveyance. FIG. 6B is a schematic side view and FIG. 6B shows a schematic side view of the hand conveying means 60 during sorting. Here, the arrow X in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 etc. has shown the conveyance direction (supply direction) of a potato.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an inclined conveyance unit 10, a separation conveyance unit 20, a stable alignment conveyance unit 30, an object determination unit 40, a sorting unit 50, and a hand conveyance. It is comprised using the means 60 grade | etc.,. Here, the sorting unit 50 and the hand transport unit 60 correspond to the “sort transport unit” of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case where the “object” sorted by the sorting device 1 is a potato will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an inclined conveying means 10 that can accommodate a large number of potatoes, a separation conveying means 20 that conveys the potato supplied from the inclined conveying means 10 while cutting it, Stable alignment conveying means 30 for conveying the potatoes supplied from the separation conveying means 20 in a stable alignment state, hand conveying means 60 for conveying the potatoes supplied from the stable alignment conveying means 30, and the size of the potatoes on the hand conveying means 60 The object determining means 40 for determining the thickness, and the sorting means 50 for performing the potato sorting process on the hand conveying means 60 based on the determination processing result in the object determining means 40 are used.

  The inclined conveying means 10 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined conveying means 10 is provided in the inclined conveying housing unit 100, the object input unit 101 provided at an upper position of the inclined conveying housing unit 100, and the inclined conveying housing unit 100. It is comprised using the inclined conveyor 110 grade | etc.,.

  The target insertion unit 101 is provided with a conveyor communication opening 102 that communicates with the inclined conveyor 110, and the potato introduced into the target insertion unit 101 passes through the conveyor communication opening 102 and is inclined to the inclined conveyor 110. Will be supplied.

  In the inclined conveyance housing portion 100, a lower rotating roller portion 118 is provided at a lower right position in FIG. 3, and an upper rotating roller portion 119 is provided at an upper left position. In the present embodiment, an endless inclined conveyor 110 configured by connecting the unit roller portions 111 is disposed between the rotating roller portions 118 and 119.

  A movable roller 112 is rotatably provided at a predetermined interval on the unit roller 111 constituting the inclined conveyor 110. The movable beam portion 112 is configured using a short side portion 112a and a long side portion 112b. The movable bar 112 is attached to the unit roller 111 so as to be rotatable about the unit roller 111 according to the contact state with the surrounding members.

  In addition, at the lower position of the inclined conveyor 110 inside the inclined conveyance housing unit 100, a first crosspiece support portion 113 (corresponding to the “crosspiece support portion” of the present invention) and a second crosspiece support portion 114 (“crosspiece of the present invention”). Corresponding to a “supporting part”). More specifically, the inclined conveyor 110 according to the present embodiment is rotationally driven counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and moves upward of the inclined conveyor 110 that is rotationally driven counterclockwise ( A first crosspiece support portion 113 is provided at a lower position of a portion (moving in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 3), and a lower position of a portion of the inclined conveyor 110 moving (moving in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 3). A second crosspiece support portion 114 is provided. A short side contact portion 113 a that contacts the short side portion 112 a of the movable beam portion 112 is provided at a position below the first beam support portion 113. A lower long side contact portion 114 a that contacts the long side portion 112 b of the movable beam portion 112 is provided at a position below the second beam support portion 114, and a movable beam portion is positioned above the second beam support portion 114. An upper long side contact portion 114b that contacts the long side portion 112b of 112 is provided.

  The inclined conveying means 10 is provided with a connecting and conveying section 115 at a connecting portion with the separating and conveying means 20, and the potato charged into the object loading section 101 is inclined via the conveyor communication opening 102. The potatoes supplied to 110 and conveyed by the inclined conveyor 110 are supplied to the separating and conveying means 20 via the connecting and conveying unit 115.

  The movable beam portion 112 attached to the unit roller portion 111 constituting the inclined conveyor 110 comes into contact with the short side portion 112a of the movable beam portion 112 and the short side contact portion 113a of the first beam support portion 113. In this state, the inclined conveyor 110 stands substantially vertically. The standing state of the movable beam portion 112 continues as long as the contact state between the first beam support portion 113 and the short side portion 112a of the movable beam portion 112 continues. Next, in the present embodiment, the movable beam portion 112 is brought into contact with the inclined conveyor 110 by the contact between the long side portion 112b of the movable beam portion 112 and the upper long side contact portion 114b of the second beam support portion 114. It will be in a flat state. The flat state of the movable beam portion 112 continues as long as the contact state between the second beam support portion 114 and the long side portion 112b of the movable beam portion 112 continues. The contact state between the second beam support portion 114 and the long side portion 112b of the movable beam portion 112 ends at the lower long side contact portion 114a of the second beam support portion 114. Thereafter, the movable beam portion 112 is The long side portion 112b is suspended by its own weight.

  The separating / conveying means 20 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the separating and conveying means 20 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a schematic top view of the separating and conveying means 20, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, BB, and CC in FIG. 4B. It is a thing. Here, the arrow X in FIG.4 (b) has shown the conveyance direction of the potato.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the separating and conveying means 20 according to the present embodiment includes a conveyor placing table 200 and a plurality of separating conveyors (first separating conveyor 201, first separating conveyor 201) provided on the conveyor placing table 20. It is configured using a two-separation conveyor 202, a third separation conveyor 203, a fourth separation conveyor 204, a fifth separation conveyor 205) and the like. The separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 used here are configured using, for example, a special sponge belt (jersey belt).

  The separation conveying means 20 according to the present embodiment is configured by using a plurality of separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 (corresponding to the “conveyor” of the present invention) arranged substantially in parallel. , Opposing separation conveyors (first separation conveyor 201 and second separation conveyor 202, second separation conveyor and third separation conveyor 203, third separation conveyor 203 and fourth separation conveyor 204, fourth The separation conveyor 204 and the fifth separation conveyor 205) are configured to be driven at different speeds.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4C, the separating and conveying means 20 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 facing each other have a cross section V in the traveling direction. It is arranged in a letter shape. Furthermore, the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 that constitute the separation conveying means 20 according to the present embodiment are arranged in a staggered manner in the traveling direction as shown in FIG. Of the separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, the driving speed of one separating conveyor having the end point on the downstream side is set higher than the driving speed of the other separating conveyor.

More specifically, the inclination angle θ ₁ of the _first separating conveyor 201 and the second separating conveyor 202 that constitute the separating and conveying means 20 according to the present embodiment is the same angle with respect to the conveyor mounting table 200 ( For example, it is set to 50 °. Further, the inclination angle θ ₂ of the third separation conveyor 203 is set to an angle (for example, 40 °) smaller than the inclination angle θ _{1 of the first} separation conveyor 201 and the second separation conveyor 202 (in other words, In other words, the angle is set so that the contact surface of the object becomes gentle). Further, the inclination angle θ ₃ of the fourth separation conveyor 204 is set to an angle (for example, 30 °) smaller than the inclination angle θ ₂ of the third separation conveyor 203, and the inclination of the fifth separation conveyor 205 is set. angle theta ₃ is the same angle as the fourth separating conveyor 204 (e.g., 30 °) is set to. That is, the inclination angles of the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 according to the present embodiment are set so as to have a relation of “θ ₁ > θ ₂ > θ ₃ ”.

  Further, the driving speed of the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 according to the present embodiment is set so that the driving speed of the separation conveyor having the end point on the downstream side is higher. . That is, the driving speed of the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 according to the present embodiment is “first separation conveyor 201 (for example, 18 m / min) <second separation conveyor 202 (for example, 21 m / min). min) <third separation conveyor 203 (for example, 24 m / min) <fourth separation conveyor 204 (for example, 31 m / min) <fifth separation conveyor 205 (for example, 35 m / min) ” Is set to

  The stable alignment conveyance means 30 which comprises the sorting device 1 concerning this embodiment is comprised as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the stable alignment transport means 30 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A perspective view and FIG. 5 (b) are schematic side views of the stable alignment transport means 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stable alignment transport unit 30 according to the present embodiment is formed endlessly on the first upper rotating roller portion 301, the second upper rotating roller portion 302, and these rotating roller portions 301 and 302. The brush support chain portion 303 (corresponding to the “chain portion” of the present invention) and the channel brush 304 (corresponding to the “elastic pressing means” of the present invention) detachably provided on the brush support chain portion 303 are used. It is configured. Here, the channel brush 304 having a long bristle length is attached in a gondola shape (warm shape) to the brush support chain portion 303 (attachment chain) to constitute the stable alignment conveying means 30.

  In addition, the stable alignment transport unit 30 according to the present embodiment includes an endless transport conveyor 313 that receives the potato supplied from the separation transport unit 20, and the transport conveyor 313 includes a first downward rotating roller unit 311. The second lower rotating roller portion 312 is configured to be endless. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conveyor 313 which conveys a potato, and the brush support chain part 303 which hold | suppresses a potato from upper direction are comprised so that it may drive at a substantially the same speed.

  In the present embodiment, the potato supplied from the separating and conveying means 20 is conveyed by the conveying conveyor 313. At that time, for the potato, the regulation by the stable alignment conveying means 30 (the channel brush 304 constituting the potato) works from above, so that the conveyed potato does not roll and its posture is also stabilized. Thus, the conveyance process is appropriately performed in the aligned state.

  The hand transporting means 60 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. More specifically, the hand transport means 60 according to the present embodiment includes an endless hand transport belt 601, a large number of hand support portions 610 provided on the hand transport belt 601, and the hand support portion 610. Are constructed using the hand portions 620 and the like that are supported respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the potato supplied through the stable alignment transport unit 30 is transported by the hand transport unit 60. Then, the potatoes are conveyed to the object determining means 40 and the sorting means 50 by the hand conveying means 60.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the hand conveying means 60 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (a) shows the hand conveying means 60 at the time of conveyance. FIG. 6B is a schematic side view of the hand conveying means 60 during sorting. FIG. 6 also shows a sorting switch unit 510 constituting the sorting unit 50.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the hand conveyance means 60 according to the present embodiment is configured using a hand conveyance belt 601, a hand support unit 610, a hand unit 620, and the like. The hand support unit 610 is provided with a hand unit 620 and a hand lock unit 611. The hand unit 620 includes a hand body unit 621 on which potato or the like can be placed and conveyed, and a hand unit on the hand support unit 610. It is comprised using the hand attachment part 622 to which 620 is attached. The hand lock part 611 is attached to the hand support part 610 via the first hinge part 611c, and the hand attachment part 622 constituting the hand part 620 is attached to the hand support part 610 via the second hinge part 622c. ing.

  When carrying potatoes or the like, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first engagement portion 611a forming the hand lock portion 611 and the second engagement portion 622a forming the hand attachment portion 622 are engaged. As a combined state, the hand main body 621 is held in a substantially horizontal state. On the other hand, when sorting potatoes or the like, as shown in FIG. 6B, the hand-side contact portion 611b of the hand lock portion 611 is moved by the sorting switch portion 510 (the switch-side contact portion 511). Thus, the engagement state between the first engagement portion 611a forming the hand lock portion 611 and the second engagement portion 622a forming the hand attachment portion 622 is released. Thus, if the engagement state of the 1st engagement part 611a and the 2nd engagement part 622a is cancelled | released, as shown in FIG.6 (b), the hand part 620 will depend on the weight of the potato in self weight and conveyance. Therefore, the potatoes and the like can be appropriately sorted according to the timing of the sorting switch unit 510.

  Although the detailed configuration of the object determination unit 40 constituting the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is omitted, the object determination unit 40 used in the present embodiment is a potato (target) obtained by a camera. It has a function of determining the size of the image of the object) and a function of determining the adjacent state of the potato (object). That is, the object determination unit 40 according to the present embodiment instantaneously determines the size of the potato while preventing erroneous determination due to the adjacent state, and uses the determination processing information as the sorting switch (which constitutes the sorting unit 50). Part 510).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the sorting means 50 constituting the sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes three sorting switch units 510, and sorting slope units (corresponding to the respective switch units 510). The first sorting gradient portion 501, the second sorting tilt portion 501, the third sorting tilt portion 503) and the like are used.

  As described above, the determination processing result obtained by the object determination unit 40 is electrically transmitted to the sorting switch unit 510 according to the present embodiment. That is, when the determination processing information related to the size or the like of the potato being conveyed by the hand conveying means 60 is transmitted to the sorting switch unit 510 and the potato is conveyed to an appropriate location, one of the three is selected. The sorting switch portion 510 (which constitutes the switch side abutting portion 511) hits the hand lock portion 611 (which constitutes the hand side abutting portion 611b), and any of the sorting inclined portions (the first sorting inclined portion 501 and the second sorting). Through the inclined portion 501 and the third sorting inclined portion 503), they are sorted into any of the pre-arranged sorting boxes B1, B2, B3.

  The sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and functions as follows based on this configuration.

  In the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, first, a potato serving as an object is loaded into the object loading unit 101 of the inclined conveying means 10. The potato thrown into the object throwing-in part 101 transfers to the inclined conveyor 110 through the conveyor communication opening part 102. When the inclined conveyor 110 is driven to rotate, potatoes are also conveyed along with it, and when the inclined conveyor 110 moves upward, the movable crosspiece 112 is in an upright state, so that more potatoes are moved from the lower position to the upper position. It will be transported. The potato transported to the upper position is supplied to the separation transport means 20 via the connection transport section 115. Here, since the movable crosspiece 112 is in a flat state when moving downward, even when supplying the potato to the separating and conveying means 20, according to such a configuration, the potato is caught or bitten. Will not cause.

  According to such a configuration, since the parallel movement and the inclined movement are performed by one inclined conveyor 110, it is possible to effectively eliminate potato entrainment and biting. Moreover, since it is the structure which goes up incline in the state which the movable crosspiece 112 provided at fixed intervals stood up when approaching an inclination, even if the amount of potatoes increases, possibility that it will be damaged is low. Furthermore, since the movable crosspiece 112 is in a flattened state after the inclination has been fully climbed, a space corresponding to the height of the crosspiece is unnecessary, and potato entrainment and biting can be prevented.

  Next, the potatoes supplied to the separating and conveying means 20 are eliminated from overlapping and biasing while rotating based on the speed difference and the inclination angle difference between the opposing separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205. That is, in the present embodiment, the individual potato separation process is quickly performed without scratching the potato. In the present embodiment, the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 that constitute the separation conveying means 20 are arranged in a V-shaped cross section in the traveling direction. Will be done. Here, the potatoes that have been subjected to the separation and alignment process are then supplied to the stable alignment and conveyance means 30.

  Since the separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 according to the present embodiment are configured using a special sponge belt (jersey belt), the impact is effectively absorbed and the possibility of damaging the potato is reduced. can do. Further, since the separation / alignment process can be performed without giving vibration or impact to the potato, the potato is not peeled off or scratched.

  Next, the potatoes supplied to the stable alignment conveying unit 30 are supplied to the hand unit 620 through the conveying conveyor 313 while being restricted by the channel brush 304 from above.

  In the present embodiment, since the long-length channel brush 304 (elastic pressing means) is provided in a warm shape, the potato is not jumped up by the channel brush 304. In addition, with such a configuration, even if potatoes of various sizes are continuously supplied, it is possible to reliably maintain a stable posture. Further, with such a configuration, the channel brush 304 is hardly worn.

  Next, the potatoes supplied to the hand unit 620 are subjected to determination processing regarding the size of each potato by the object determination means 40. The result of the determination process obtained here is electrically transmitted to the sorting means 50, and the potato is appropriately sorted and conveyed based on this determination process information.

  Since the sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured and functions as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  As described above, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a sorting apparatus 1 configured to sort an object according to a predetermined requirement (for example, size), while separating the object (potato). The separating / conveying means 20 includes a plurality of separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 that are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 are configured to be driven at different speeds.

  According to such a configuration, the potato supplied to the separating and conveying means 20 is appropriately separated by the speed difference between the separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 facing each other. More specifically, even if a large number of potatoes are supplied to the separating and conveying means 20, there is a speed difference between the opposing separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, so that In this case, the potatoes are conveyed while rotating, and potatoes are not overlapped. That is, according to such a configuration, the potato can be appropriately separated without scratching the potato. Therefore, according to the sorting apparatus 1 provided with the separating and conveying means 20, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate separation process is performed without scratching an object (potato) such as a crop, and thereafter The sorting process can be performed efficiently according to the size and the like.

  Further, in the sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment, the opposing separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are arranged in a V-shaped cross section in the traveling direction, and are arranged in a staggered manner in the traveling direction. Among the opposing separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, the driving speed of one conveyor having the end point on the downstream side is set higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor. In other words, in the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the opposing separating conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 that constitute the separating and conveying means 20 are set at positions where at least one of the start point and the end point is different. The speeds of these separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are gradually increased as the speed is increased on the downstream side in the traveling direction (as the end point is provided on the downstream side). It is configured as follows.

  According to such a configuration, the potato rotates along the higher-speed separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, and the high-speed separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are left and right. Since they are arranged alternately (in a staggered manner), the potatoes are not biased to one side and are properly conveyed while being separated one by one. Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate separation process is performed without scratching an object such as a crop (potato), and then the efficiency is increased according to the size and the like. Thus, it is possible to obtain the sorting apparatus 1 that can perform the sorting process automatically.

  Furthermore, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a sorting apparatus 1 configured to sort an object (potato) according to a predetermined requirement (for example, size), and the potato in the gathering state is positioned at a lower position. The inclined conveying means 10 that conveys the potatoes while being separated, and the separating conveying means 20 that conveys the potatoes while separating them. The inclined conveying means 10 is provided with an inclined conveyor 110 formed endlessly, and an inclined conveyor 110. The movable beam portion 112 is configured to move in a state where the movable beam portion 112 stands substantially vertically on the inclined conveyor 110 when the inclined conveyor 110 moves upward. When the conveyor 110 moves downward, it is configured to move in a flat state on the inclined conveyor 110.

  According to such a configuration, when the inclined conveyor 110 moves upward, the movable crosspiece 112 automatically stands up, so that a large number of potatoes can be conveyed to the upper position without being scratched. . Further, when the inclined conveyor 110 moves downward, the movable crosspiece 112 is automatically flattened, so that the potato is not caught or bitten, and is separated from the inclined conveying means 10 without scratching the potato. Can be made. Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate conveyance process and an appropriate separation process from a lower position to an upper position can be performed without scratching an object such as a crop (potato). After that, it is possible to obtain the sorting device 1 that can perform sorting processing efficiently according to its size and the like.

  Further, in the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the inclined conveyor 110 is configured by connecting a plurality of unit roller units 111, and the movable beam unit 112 rotates to the unit roller unit 111 with a predetermined interval. A crosspiece support portion (first crosspiece support portion 113, second crosspiece support portion 114) is provided at a position below the inclined conveyor 110. The movable crosspiece portion is in contact with the crosspiece support portions 113 and 114. By rotating 112, the movable crosspiece 112 is configured to be in a standing state or a flat state.

  According to such a configuration, when moving upward, it moves in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to the inclined conveyor 110, and when the inclined conveyor 110 moves downward, it moves in a flat state on the inclined conveyor 110. It is possible to realize the inclined conveying means 10 having the movable crosspiece 112 that is based on a relatively simple configuration.

  Furthermore, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a sorting apparatus 1 configured to sort an object (potato) according to a predetermined requirement (for example, size), and the potato in the gathering state is positioned at a lower position. An inclined conveying means 10 that conveys the potatoes while separating the potatoes, and a stable alignment conveying means 30 that conveys the potatoes in a stable alignment state. The brush support chain portion 303 formed in an endless shape and a channel brush 304 that is detachably provided on the brush support chain portion 303 are configured so that the channel brush 304 holds the potato in a state of holding the potato. It is configured to drive at substantially the same speed.

  According to such a configuration, the stable aligning and conveying means 30 is configured using the endlessly formed brush support chain portion 303 and the channel brush 304, and the channel brush 304 holds the potato while holding the potato. Since the potatoes are configured to be driven at substantially the same speed, the potatoes can be aligned and transported in a stable state without scratching the potatoes. More specifically, according to this configuration, the channel brush 304 is configured to hold the potato and the channel brush 304 is configured to be driven at substantially the same speed as the potato conveyance speed. In addition, no extra load is applied and the effects of friction and the like can be minimized. Therefore, according to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, an appropriate conveyance process from a lower position to an upper position, an appropriate separation process, without scratching an object such as a crop (potato), In addition, it is possible to obtain the sorting apparatus 1 that can perform stable sorting and conveyance processing, and then efficiently perform sorting processing according to the size and the like.

  The sorting device 1 according to the present embodiment is a sorting device 1 configured to sort an object (potato) according to a predetermined requirement (for example, size), and lowers the potato in the gathering state. Based on the potato image information, the inclined conveying means 10 that conveys the potato from the position, the separation conveying means 20 that conveys the potato while separating it, the stable alignment conveying means 30 that conveys the potato in a stable alignment state, and the potato image information. Object determination means 40 that performs a determination process on a predetermined requirement (size) every time, and a sorting conveyance means (sorting means 50 and hand conveyance) that sorts and conveys potatoes to a predetermined location based on the determination processing result in the object determination means 40 Means 60), and the inclined conveying means 10 is formed into an endless inclined conveyor 110 and an inclined conveyor 11 The movable beam portion 112 is configured to move in a state in which the movable beam portion 112 stands substantially vertically on the inclined conveyor 110 when the inclined conveyor 110 moves upward. When the belt-like conveyor 110 moves downward, it is configured to move in a flat state on the sloped conveyor 110, and the separation conveying means 20 includes a plurality of separation conveyors 201, 202, The separation conveyors 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 that are configured using the 203, 204, and 205 are set at positions where at least one of the start point and the end point is different, and the facing separation conveyors 201 and 202 are opposed to each other. , 203, 204, 205 are arranged in a V-shaped cross section in the advancing direction, and are arranged in a staggered manner in the advancing direction. , 203, 204, 205, the driving speed of one conveyor having the end point on the downstream side is set higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor, and the stable alignment conveying means 30 is formed endlessly. The brush support chain portion 303 and a channel brush 304 that is detachably provided on the brush support chain portion 303 are configured so that the channel brush 304 is substantially the same speed as the potato while holding the potato. It is characterized by being driven by.

  According to such a configuration, based on a relatively simple configuration, it is possible to efficiently perform the sorting process according to the size or the like without scratching the target object (potato) such as crops, The sorting device 1 can be obtained.

<Other embodiments>
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications as necessary within the scope that can meet the spirit of the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the case where the target object sorted by a sorter was a potato was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this structure, As a matter of course, crops other than a potato are made into a target object. Is also possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the selection apparatus applicable when a target object is a crop (potato) was shown and the structure corresponding to a target object was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this structure. . Therefore, for example, when the object is other than the crop, it may be a sorting device having a configuration corresponding to the object. Specifically, a sorting device may be used in which the size of each component, the combination of components, and the like are appropriately changed according to the object.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the stable alignment transport unit 30 is provided on the downstream side of the separation transport unit 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and each transport unit is appropriately configured. Any configuration that can function can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG.

  Here, FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of the stable alignment conveying means 90 constituting the sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration other than the stable alignment transport unit 90 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, different configurations will be mainly described here. Moreover, about the component similar to 1st embodiment, it demonstrates using the same code | symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the stable alignment conveying means 90 according to the present embodiment is formed endlessly on the first upper rotating roller portion 901, the second upper rotating roller portion 902, and these rotating roller portions 901 and 902. Brush support chain portion 903 (corresponding to “chain portion” of the present invention), channel brush 904 (corresponding to “elastic pressing means” of the present invention) detachably provided on the brush support chain portion 903, and the like. It is configured. Here, a stable alignment conveying means 90 is configured by attaching a long channel brush 904 to a brush support chain portion 903 (attachment chain) in a gondola shape (warm shape).

  The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the position where the stable alignment transport means 90 is provided. The stable alignment transport unit 90 according to the present embodiment extends to the upper position of the separation transport unit 20 and is provided with a brush support chain portion 903. That is, in the present embodiment, the potatoes on the separating and conveying means 20 are conveyed while being sandwiched between the separating and conveying means 20 and the stable alignment and conveying means 90.

  Therefore, according to such a configuration, the restriction from above (regulation by the channel brush 904 that constitutes the stable alignment conveying means 90) acts on the potato at an early stage, and the conveyed potato rolls. In this case, the posture becomes more stable, and the conveyance process is appropriately performed in the aligned state.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic side view of the selection apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention is shown. The schematic side view of the inclination conveyance means which comprises the sorting device concerning 1st embodiment of this invention is shown. FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of a separating and conveying unit constituting the sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the separating and conveying unit, and FIG. FIG. 4C is a schematic top view of the separating and conveying means, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, BB, and CC in FIG. 4B. FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of a stable alignment / conveying means, and FIG. 5 (b) is a stable perspective view of a stable alignment / conveying means constituting the sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic side view of an alignment conveyance means is shown. The schematic side view of the hand conveyance means which comprises the selection apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention is shown, Fig.6 (a) is a schematic side view of the hand conveyance means at the time of conveyance, FIG.6 (b) These show the schematic side view of the hand conveyance means at the time of sorting. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a stable alignment transport unit that constitutes a sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting device 10 ... Inclined conveyance means 20 ... Separation conveyance means 30 ... Stable alignment conveyance means 40 ... Object determination means 50 ... Sorting means 60 ... Hand conveyance means 90 ... Stable alignment conveyance means 100 ... Inclination conveyance housing part 101 ... Object input part 102 ... Conveyor communication opening part 110 ... Inclined conveyor 111 ... Unit roller part 112 ... Movable bar part 112a ... Short side part 112b ... Long side part 113 ... First cross bar support part 113a ... Short side contact part 114 ... second crosspiece support part 114a ... lower long side contact part 114b ... upper long side contact part 115 ... connection conveying part 118 ... lower rotating roller part 119 ... upper rotating roller part 200 ... conveyor mounting table 201 ... first separation Conveyor 202 ... Second separation conveyor 203 ... Third separation conveyor 204 ... Fourth separation conveyor 205 ... Fifth separation conveyor 301 ... First upward rotating roller 302 ... second upper rotary roller unit 303 ... brush support chain portion (chain part)
304 ... Channel brush (elastic pressing means)
311 ... First downward rotating roller part 312 ... Second downward rotating roller part 313 ... Conveyor 501 ... First sorting inclined part 502 ... Second sorting inclined part 503 ... Third sorting inclined part 510 ... Sorting switch part 511 ... Switch Side contact portion 601... Hand transport belt 610. Hand support portion 611. Hand lock portion 611 a. First engagement portion 611 b. Hand side contact portion 611 c. Hand mounting portion 622a ... second engaging portion 622c ... second hinge portion 901 ... first upper rotating roller portion 902 ... second upper rotating roller portion 903 ... brush support chain portion (chain portion)
904 ... Channel brush (elastic pressing means)

Claims (6)

A sorting device configured to sort an object according to predetermined requirements,
A separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object,
The separating apparatus, wherein the separating and conveying means is configured by using a plurality of conveyors arranged substantially in parallel, and the opposing conveyors are driven at different speeds. The opposed conveyors are arranged in a cross section V-shaped in the traveling direction, and are arranged in a staggered manner in the traveling direction, and drive one conveyor having an end point on the further downstream side among the opposed conveyors The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speed is set to be higher than the driving speed of the other conveyor. A sorting device configured to sort an object according to predetermined requirements,
Inclined conveying means for conveying the object in the assembled state from a lower position to an upper position, and a separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object,
The inclined conveying means is configured by using an inclined conveyor formed in an endless shape and a movable rail provided on the inclined conveyor, and the movable conveyor is moved upward by the inclined conveyor. When moving, it moves in the state which stood substantially perpendicularly to the inclined conveyor, and when the inclined conveyor moves downward, it is configured to move in a flat state on the inclined conveyor. 2. The sorting apparatus according to 2. The inclined conveyor is configured by connecting a plurality of unit roller portions, and the movable beam portion is rotatably attached to the unit roller portion with a predetermined interval, and is disposed at a position below the inclined conveyor. A pier support is provided,
The sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the movable beam portion is brought into a standing state or a flat state by rotating the movable beam portion in contact with the beam support portion. A sorting device configured to sort an object according to predetermined requirements,
Inclined conveying means for conveying the object in the assembled state from a lower position to an upper position, a separation conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object, and a stable alignment conveying means for conveying the object in a stable alignment state And
The stable alignment transport means is configured by using an endlessly formed chain portion and an elastic pressing means provided detachably on the chain portion, and the elastic pressing means presses the object. 5. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sorting apparatus is driven at a speed substantially the same as that of the object in a closed state. A sorting device configured to sort an object according to predetermined requirements,
Inclined transport means for transporting the objects in the assembled state from a lower position to an upper position;
A separating and conveying means for conveying the object while separating the object;
Stable alignment transport means for transporting the object in a stable alignment state;
Based on the image information of the object, object determination means for performing a determination process on the predetermined requirement for each object;
A sorting and conveying unit that sorts and conveys the object to a predetermined location based on a determination processing result in the object determining unit;
The inclined conveying means is configured by using an inclined conveyor formed in an endless shape and a movable rail provided on the inclined conveyor, and the movable conveyor is moved upward by the inclined conveyor. It is configured to move while standing upright substantially vertically on the inclined conveyor, and when the inclined conveyor moves downward, it is configured to move in a flat state on the inclined conveyor,
The separating and conveying means is configured using a plurality of conveyors arranged substantially in parallel, and the opposing conveyor is set at a position where at least one of a start point and an end point is different, and the opposing conveyor is The driving speed of one of the conveyors having the end point on the downstream side of the conveyors facing each other is arranged in a zigzag shape in the traveling direction while being arranged in a V-shaped cross section in the traveling direction. Is set faster than the drive speed of
The stable alignment transport means is configured by using an endlessly formed chain portion and an elastic pressing means provided detachably on the chain portion, and the elastic pressing means presses the object. The sorting apparatus is driven at a speed substantially the same as that of the object in the state where

Images