JP2004239850A - Apparatus for identifying granular object to be inspected - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach or detach a measuring apparatus for optically measuring at least granular objects to be inspected and a handling section for handling the granular objects, to independently improve and maintain each of the measuring apparatus and the handling section, and to select a form having the best working efficiency according to the condition of measurement work. <P>SOLUTION: Operation of a head section 34 at a scanner section 24 is detected for scattering grains stored on a saucer 52 of a hopper unit 44 by rotating a rotary valve 54, thus optimizing a timing when scattering the grains and grasping the flow of treatment in the state of the grains. The state of treatment can be reliably grasped simply by the viewing of an operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a measuring device for measuring the reflected light or transmitted light by scanning the inside of a measurement area while irradiating the granular inspection object with light, and based on the photometric data measured by the measuring device, the granular inspection device. The present invention relates to a granular inspection object discriminating apparatus for judging a state of an inspection object.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a grade is determined by comparing a granular test object, for example, a grain of rice or the like, with a standard value in order to perform standard management based on an inspection method of a predetermined institution.
[0003]
In order to automate this inspection, Patent Document 1 proposes obtaining an accurate inspection signal that can detect transmitted light of the whole rice grain without adversely affecting a detection signal of a sensor when aligning rice grains. .
[0004]
In Patent Literature 1, a sample is put into a supply hopper, and a rice grain transport unit is started, so that the sample is moved in a horizontal direction while being aligned on a transport body, and is sent to a light amount measuring device. Here, the transport body continues to be transported, and is further sent to a sorting device on the downstream side to be sorted.
[0005]
Patent Document 2 discloses a rice grain quality determination device capable of detecting a large number of rice grains at a time as a sample and determining the quality of the rice grains individually for each rice grain. In Patent Literature 2, rice grains placed in a flat bed-shaped window are detected by line scanning of a scanner unit, and a flat light amount in the window is obtained.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2815633 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-33151
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, Patent Document 1 is a dedicated rice grain quality discriminating device, and has a configuration in which a feeder, a transporter, an optical measuring device, a sorting device, and the like are provided in a fixed machine frame. Therefore, for example, the optical measurement device and the like cannot be individually remodeled or improved, and the maintenance work becomes complicated.
[0008]
Further, the structure of Patent Document 1 cannot distinguish a sample easily as in Patent Document 2. Conversely, Patent Literature 2 is not suitable for a large amount of discriminating work, and each of them is limited in the amount of work and the like, and has low versatility.
[0009]
In view of the above facts, the present invention makes it possible to attach and detach at least a measuring device for optically measuring a granular test object and a handling unit for handling (storage, spraying, collecting, etc.) the granular test object, and each of them is independent. To obtain a granular inspection object state discriminating apparatus which can be improved and maintained, and which can select a form having the highest working efficiency according to the state of measurement work (amount of the granular inspection object, etc.). Is the purpose.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a measuring device that measures the reflected light or transmitted light by scanning the inside of the measurement area while irradiating the granular inspection object with light, and photometric data measured by the measuring device. A granular inspection object discriminating device that determines a state of the granular inspection object based on the input device, the input unit configured to be detachably attached to the measurement device, and that inputs the granular inspection object; A granular inspection object handling means for receiving and storing the granular inspection object from the unit and dispersing the granular inspection object evenly in the measurement area while moving in the space above the measurement area; and starting the measurement by the measurement device. And a start timing follow-up control unit that starts spraying the granular inspection object by the granular inspection object handling unit using the trigger as a trigger.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the measuring device and the handling means are configured to be detachable from each other, for example, when measuring a large amount of the granular test object, the handling means is attached and automatically installed. Performing measurement at a higher efficiency is better.
[0012]
On the other hand, when measuring a small amount of the granular test object, the handling means may be rather wasteful and time-consuming. Therefore, the handling can be performed in a short time by removing the handling means and spraying the granular inspection object on the measurement area of the measurement device manually.
[0013]
Also, when the handling means is mounted, the start timing follow-up control means starts the operation of the handling means with the start of measurement of the measuring apparatus as a trigger, so that only a signal of the measurement start is received from the measuring apparatus. Well, it can easily respond to individual improvements and model changes.
[0014]
Furthermore, by making the measuring device and the handling means detachable, each maintenance operation can be performed efficiently.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an autoloader type discriminating apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as a discriminating apparatus) 10 according to the present embodiment.
[0016]
The discriminating device 10 has a pair of boxes 12 and 14 connected by hinges (not shown) and is housed in an openable and closable briefcase-type housing 16. FIG. 1 shows a use state.
[0017]
That is, the pair of boxes 12 and 14 are placed in a state where they are opened from each other by 180 °. At the time of storage, the pair of boxes 12 and 14 rotate around the hinges so that the open ends face each other and are closed, thereby protecting the internal precision instruments and the like.
[0018]
A controller (which may be a general-purpose personal computer) 18 and a printer 20 are housed in one of the boxes 12 (the back side in FIG. 1). The controller 18 and the printer 20 are connected by a connection cable (not shown), and the data and the like processed by the controller 18 can be printed out by the printer 20. Further, the controller 18 is provided with an LCD monitor 18A.
[0019]
Further, the controller 18 has a function of controlling the operation of the discriminating device main body 22 housed in the other box 14, and the discriminating device main body 22 operates according to an instruction from the controller 18. ing. It is preferable that the controller 18 and the discrimination device main body 22 are connected by a flexible wiring cable (not shown) such as a flexible cable which is not damaged by opening and closing the boxes 12 and 14.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the discrimination device main body 22.
[0021]
The discriminating apparatus main body 22 includes a scanner unit 24 serving as a base, and a kernel handling unit 26 for receiving a kernel as a granular inspection object and arranging the kernel at a photometric position by the scanner unit 24.
[0022]
The scanner unit 24 includes a box-shaped casing 28 having an open upper surface except for the peripheral edge, and a transparent glass plate 30 is fitted into the opened portion. A line scanning type imaging unit 32 is provided below the transparent glass plate 30. The line scanning type imaging unit 32 includes an image sensor array 34A in which the image sensors are arranged in an array from the near side to the far side in FIG. 2 (main scanning direction), and a cylindrical light source provided along the image sensor array 34A. The head unit 34 includes a head unit 34B. The head unit 34 moves below the transparent glass plate 30 in the left-right direction of FIG. 2 by the driving force of the scanner motor 36 (sub-scanning direction).
[0023]
Thereby, almost the entire surface of the transparent glass plate 30 can be scanned by the image sensor array 34A.
[0024]
The line scanning type imaging unit 32 is provided with a scan start position sensor 38 and a scan end position sensor 40. By detecting the head unit 34 with the scan start position sensor 38 and the scan end position sensor 40, A scanning area is set.
[0025]
In the vicinity of the scan start position sensor 38 of the head unit 34, a distance measuring position sensor 42 for detecting the head unit 34 is separately provided. The distance measurement position sensors 42 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined interval L between the distance measurement position sensors 42 and the scan start position sensor 38. The scan start position sensor 38 and the distance measurement position sensor 42 sequentially detect the head unit 34 immediately after the head unit 34 starts sub-scanning. That is, a time difference Δt (t2−t1) occurs between the time t1 detected by the upstream scan start position sensor 38 and the time t2 detected by the downstream distance measurement position sensor 42.
[0026]
The time difference Δt is applied as a parameter for calculating the moving speed v _S of the head unit 34. Note that the distance measurement position sensor 42 is not essential, and the scan end position sensor 40 is used in place of the scan end position sensor 40 and a time difference Δt from the movement time between the scan start position sensor 38 and the scan end position sensor 40 during calibration performed after the apparatus is started. May be obtained.
[0027]
The handling part 26 is provided with a cover 46 so as to cover the upper part of the casing 28 including the upper part of the transparent glass plate 30.
[0028]
A rectangular opening is provided in the top plate of the cover 46 to serve as a grain input port 48.
[0029]
That is, the grain, which is the inspection object to be measured by the scanner unit 24, is supplied from the input port 48.
[0030]
The home position of the hopper unit 44 is located immediately below the inlet 48. In a normal state (standby state), the grains input from the input port 48 are delivered to the hopper unit 44. A home position sensor 50 is provided at the home position of the hopper unit 44, and the position is managed by the home position sensor 50.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper unit 44 includes a tray 52 having a tapered lower end for storing the grains flowing through the input port 48.
[0032]
A rotary valve 54 is attached to the lower end opening of the tray 52. The rotary valve 54 has a circumferential surface formed with irregularities in the axial direction, so that grains can be accommodated in the concave portion 54A. Note that, depending on the housing state, a part may protrude from the recess 54A. Further, instead of the unevenness, a plurality of independent grooves (dents) may be used.
[0033]
The rotary valve 54 protrudes from the lower end opening of the tray 52, and an elastic valve seat 56 is hung from the lower end of the tray 52 so as to hide the protruding peripheral surface.
[0034]
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation shaft of the rotary valve 54 is connected to the rotation shaft of a valve motor 58. Therefore, when the valve motor 58 is driven, the rotary valve 54 is rotated, and by this rotation, the grains accommodated in the concave portion 54 </ b> A are changed according to the circumferential pitch of the concave portion 54. (See 2). The valve seat 56 has a function of dropping the grains contained in the recess 54A in a predetermined area without scattering when the rotary valve 54 rotates.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 4, the hopper unit 44 is supported by a pair of rails 60, and is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the rails 60 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2).
[0036]
Pulleys 62 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rails 60, and the pulleys 62 coaxially opposed to each other are connected by a rotating shaft 64. That is, the pulleys 62 are arranged at the four corners of the transparent glass plate 30.
[0037]
Wires 66 are wound around the pulleys 62 located at both ends of the same rail 60, respectively. That is, one end of the wire 66 is engaged with one side surface of the hopper unit 44, is wound around one pulley 62, turns 180 °, passes over the hopper unit 44, and passes through the other side. After being wound around the pulley 62 and changing its direction by 180 °, the other end is engaged with the other side surface of the hopper unit 44.
[0038]
Here, when the pulley 62 rotates, the wire 66 moves in the axial direction, so that the hopper unit 44 slides along the longitudinal direction of the pair of rails 60 following this moving direction.
[0039]
The rotation shaft of the hopper motor 68 is connected to the outer end side (the opposite side to the inner end side to which the rotation shaft 64 is attached) of one of the four pulleys.
[0040]
That is, when the hopper motor 68 is driven, the four pulleys 62 are rotated at a constant speed by the connection of the rotating shaft 64 and the wire 66, and the rotation enables the hopper unit 44 to slide as described above. is there.
[0041]
The movement amount (movement dimension) of the hopper unit 44 is determined by the home position sensor 50 (see FIG. 2) and a hopper turnback position sensor 70 (FIG. 2) provided at a predetermined interval based on the home position sensor 50. See) and is managed by. Note that this corresponds to the measurement area.
[0042]
Here, the valve motor 58 and the hopper motor 68 are synchronized, and by driving the hopper motor 68 while driving the valve motor 58, the grains in the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 are transparent. It is possible to arrange them evenly (depending on the pitch of the concave portions 54A) on a tray 72 (see FIG. 5, detailed description below) arranged corresponding to the glass plate 30. The tray 72 can be mounted on and removed from the transparent glass plate 30.
[0043]
The hopper unit 44 is controlled to follow the movement of the head unit 34 of the scanner unit 24.
[0044]
That is, the moving speed v _S of the head unit 34 is calculated based on the time difference Δt calculated when the head unit 34 moves and the distance L (v _S = L / Δt), and the moving speed of the head unit 34 is calculated. v moving velocity _{v H} hopper unit 44 so as to become the same as the _S is set _(v S _{= v} H).
[0045]
Here, the moving speed _{v H} hopper units 44 is determined, the rotational linear velocity _{v V} of the rotary valve 54 is set to be the same on the basis of this _(v H ₌ v V).
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 5, the tray 72 includes a frame 74 having a rectangular opening, and a transparent sample plate 76 fitted into the opening of the frame 74. The sample plate 76 is made of transparent glass, and receives the grains falling from the hopper unit 44 on its upper surface, and serves as a measurement area.
[0047]
The frame 74 has a rectangular outer shape, and its long side moves along the longitudinal direction of the rail 60 (see FIG. 4) and is placed on the transparent glass plate 30.
[0048]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a slot 78 is provided at the right end of the casing 46, and a slit-like insertion port 80 is provided at the right side of the casing 46.
[0049]
The tray 72 is accommodated in the casing 46 by inserting the tray 72 with the short side thereof facing the insertion port 80, and is placed on the transparent glass plate 30 by being inserted farthest.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 6, narrow rollers 84 (a total of four rollers) are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of both ends in the width direction of the frame 74 in the slot 78 in the casing 46. Two narrow rollers 84 on the upper surface side at both ends of the frame 74 are connected by a rotating shaft 82. The two narrow rollers 84 on the upper surface are separated from each other, but are arranged coaxially. .
[0051]
The narrow rollers 84 respectively correspond to edges of the frame 74 of the tray 72 orthogonal to the insertion direction, and the inserted tray 72 is held so that the edges are sandwiched by the pair of narrow rollers 84. Has become.
[0052]
A rotating shaft of a drive motor 86 is connected to a rotating shaft 82 of the narrow roller 84 above the conveyance path among the narrow rollers 84.
[0053]
When the drive motor 86 is driven with the pair of narrow rollers 84 sandwiching the tray 72, the tray 72 moves in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the rail 60 shown in FIG. Become.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 7, the frame body 74 has a rear end portion side of the insertion bent in a crank shape in a thickness direction. Therefore, the insertion rear end of the frame 74 is higher than the sample plate 76.
[0055]
Here, immediately after the insertion, the narrow roller 84 sandwiches the lower part of the frame 74, so that the sample plate 76 and the sandwiching position by the narrow roller 84 are on the same plane, and the narrow glass roller 30 Has a predetermined gap. For this reason, when the tray 72 is inserted by the rotation of the narrow roller 84, the tray 72 is turned forward and the front end portion is near the both ends in the width direction of the transparent glass plate 30, or the opening in which the transparent glass plate 30 is fitted. It moves while sliding on the periphery, and moves with little contact between the tray 72 and the transparent glass plate 30.
[0056]
Here, at the end of the insertion, the narrow roller 84 sandwiches the high-order portion of the frame 74. Therefore, the lower sample plate 76 is lowered toward the transparent glass plate 30 and is opposed in parallel or almost in close contact with a small gap.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 2, a tray presence / absence detection sensor 88 and a tray insertion detection sensor 90 are provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 80 of the slot 78 in order from the insertion port 80 side.
[0058]
The tray presence / absence detection sensor 88 has a role as a third sensor for detecting the end-of-discharge state of the tray 72 from the insertion port 80. The photometry by the scanner unit 24 is completed, and the driving of the narrow roller 84 is performed. When the operator waits in a state in which the tray 72 protrudes from the insertion port 80 by force, it detects that the operator grasps and removes the tray.
[0059]
Further, the tray insertion detection sensor 90 has a role as a first sensor for detecting an initial insertion state of the tray 72 into the insertion port 80. When the photometry starts, the tray 72 is inserted into the insertion port 80. Is detected, and is applied as a trigger to start driving the narrow roller 84.
[0060]
A photometric position detection sensor 92 is provided at the end of insertion of the sample plate 76 of the tray 72 on the transparent glass plate 30. The photometric position detection sensor 92 has a role as a second sensor for detecting the positioning state of the tray 72 at the photometric position, and detects when the tray 72 reaches the photometric position.
[0061]
FIG. 8 shows an operation functional block diagram of the controller 18 for controlling the operation of the discriminating apparatus main body 22 having the above configuration. When a general-purpose personal computer is applied, the functions described below may be constructed by application software or individual hardware elements.
[0062]
The controller 18 is provided with a tray supply / discharge control unit 100, a scanner operation control unit 102, and a hopper unit operation control unit 104, and is connected to a bus so that signals can be exchanged with each other.
[0063]
A tray presence / absence detection sensor 88, a tray insertion detection sensor 90, and a photometric position detection sensor 92 are connected to the tray supply / discharge control unit 100, and a signal for detecting the position of the tray 72 is input to each of the tray supply / discharge control units 100. By controlling the tray 72, the tray 72 can be automatically inserted and ejected. Further, since the signals indicating the insertion state and the discharge state of the tray 72 are also sent to the scanner operation control unit 102 and the hopper unit operation control unit 104, the supply and discharge of the tray 72, the distribution of the grains, and the photometry are performed. Cooperation is possible.
[0064]
The scanner operation control unit 102 is connected with a start switch 106 for starting photometry of a grain.
[0065]
The scanner operation control unit 102 is connected to a scanner motor 36 via a scan start position sensor 38, a scan end position sensor 40, and a scan motor driver 108. The scanner motor 36 is controlled based on signals from the scan position sensor 38 and the scan end position sensor 40 to move the head unit 34.
[0066]
Further, the scanner operation control unit 102 controls the photometric unit 110 (the image sensor array 34A and the light source 34B) in the head unit 34 to irradiate the kernel with light and synchronize the light with the movement of the head unit 34. The measurement of the reflected light is executed, and the light measurement data management unit 112 receives the measurement.
[0067]
The photometric data received by the photometric data management unit 112 is subjected to predetermined arithmetic processing, and the arithmetic processing result is stored in the memory 114.
[0068]
The calculation processing result is displayed on the LCD monitor 18A via the display control unit 116.
[0069]
When the tray supply / discharge controller 100 completes the insertion of the tray 72, the display controller 116 receives a signal indicating that the tray 72 has been inserted, and displays a signal indicating the completion of the insertion (for example, “sample "OK OK" is displayed.
[0070]
Further, a print instruction button 118 is connected to the photometric management unit 112. When a print instruction is input by operating the print instruction button 118, the photometric management unit 112 prints out the calculation processing result by the printer 20 via the printer driver 120.
[0071]
The valve motor 58 and the hopper motor 68 are connected to the hopper unit operation control unit 104 via drivers 122 and 124, respectively. Further, a hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 is connected to the hopper unit operation control unit 104. The distance measuring position sensor 42 is connected to the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126. The distance measurement position sensor 42 is paired with the scan start position sensor 38 connected to the scanner operation control unit 102. That is, a detection signal from the scan start position sensor 38 is input to the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 via the scanner operation control unit 102 and the hopper unit operation control unit 104.
[0072]
The hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 is connected to the home position sensor 50 and the hopper turnback position sensor 70.
[0073]
As described above, the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 calculates the moving speed v _S of the head unit 34 based on the detection time difference Δt when the head unit 34 moves by the scan start position sensor 38 and the distance measuring position sensor 42. (V _S = L / Δt), the moving speed v _H of the hopper unit 52 and the linear rotation speed v _V of the rotary valve 54 are set to be the same as the moving speed v _S of the head unit 34, and the hopper unit operates. It is sent to the control unit 104.
[0074]
Thus, the hopper motor 68 and the valve motor 58 operate at the speed set by the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126.
[0075]
The operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0076]
At step 200, it is determined whether or not the tray 72 has been inserted (whether or not the leading edge of the tray has been detected by the tray insertion detection sensor 90). The roller 84 is rotated.
[0077]
By this rotation, the tray 72 is nipped by the narrow rollers 84 and is sent above the transparent glass plate 30.
[0078]
During this feeding, a step is formed in the frame 74 of the tray 72, and the tray 72 moves in a cantilever state sandwiched by the narrow rollers 84, so that the tip of the tray 72 is turned forward and the transparent glass plate 30 is turned. Are inserted in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction or while sliding along the periphery of the opening in which the transparent glass plate 30 is fitted, and there is almost no contact between the sample plate 76 and the transparent glass plate 30.
[0079]
When the sample plate 76 of the tray 72 reaches a position substantially facing the transparent glass plate 30 (detection of the leading end of the tray 72 by the photometric position detection sensor 92 in step 204), the narrow roller 84 is moved to the frame 74 of the tray 72. In order to shift from the lower part to the higher part, the step difference sample plate 76 descends (translates downward) and is closely attached to the transparent glass plate 30 or arranged in parallel with a slight gap.
[0080]
In step 206, the drive of the drive motor 86 is stopped at this point, and the process proceeds to step 208.
[0081]
In the next step 208, the fact that a sample such as a grain can be inserted is displayed on the LCD monitor 18A, and then the process proceeds to step 210 to be in a standby state for operating the start switch 106.
[0082]
The grains (samples) are put into the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 by an operator. In this case, since the hopper unit 44 corresponds to the input port 48 of the cover 46 by the detection of the home position sensor 50, the operator only has to input an appropriate amount of grain to the input port 48.
[0083]
When the application kernel is turned on and the start switch 106 is operated, an affirmative determination is made in step 210, the process proceeds to step 212, the light source 34B of the head unit 34 is turned on, the image sensor array 34A is activated, and then step At 214, the driving of the scanner motor 36 is started.
[0084]
The drive of the scanner motor 36 causes the head section 34 to start moving from a home position slightly upstream of the scan start position sensor 38.
[0085]
Therefore, immediately after the start of the movement, the position is detected by the scan start position sensor 38 (step 216).
[0086]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 216, the process proceeds to step 218 to start the timer (t1), and when the head unit 34 is detected by the distance measuring position sensor 42 (step 220), the timer is stopped (t2) (step 2). 222). Thus, the movement time Δt (= t2−t1) of the head unit 34 from the scan start position sensor 38 to the distance measurement position sensor 42 can be obtained.
[0087]
In the next step 224, it calculates the movement speed v _S of the head portion 34 on the basis of advance on the distance L from a known scan start position sensor 38 to a distance measuring start position sensor 42 and the time Delta] t.
[0088]
In the next step 226, based on the moving speed v _S of the computed head unit 34 sets the rotational linear velocity of the moving velocity v _H and rotary valve v _V hopper unit 44. (V _H = v _V = v _S ).
[0089]
When the speed of setting is completed, the operation proceeds to Step 228, the hopper unit 44 starts controlling to drive the rotational speed of the hopper motor 68 so that the moving velocity v _H, then the rotary valve 54 at step 230 There starts the control to drive the rotational speed of the valve motor 58 so that the rotational linear velocity v _V.
[0090]
When obtaining the time difference Δt from the movement time between the scan start position sensor 38 and the scan end position sensor 40, the time difference Δt may be performed at the time of calibration (execution at the time of starting the apparatus) performed before actual photometry.
[0091]
In this way, the grain as the inspection object is evenly spread on the sample plate 76 of the tray 72.
[0092]
In the next step 232, photometry by the head unit 34 is performed. That is, the grains on the sample plate 76 are irradiated with light from the light source 34B, and the reflected light is detected by the image sensor array 34A to move the head unit 34, so that the grains are scattered in a predetermined area of the sample plate 76. The individual data of the grain. As described above, the head section 34 advances side by side while keeping a certain distance from the hopper unit 44, and advances while measuring the light immediately after the grains are scattered.
[0093]
When the photometry in step 232 is completed, the process proceeds to step 234, where the tray 72 is discharged.
[0094]
When the tray 72 is discharged, the tray 72 is moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by the reverse rotation of the narrow roller 84 for a predetermined time. At the time of discharge, grains are sprayed on the sample plate 76.
[0095]
In this state, the tray 72 is released from being pinched by the narrow rollers 84 and most of the tray 72 is projected from the insertion port 80. However, since the tray 72 is cantilevered by the insertion port 80, the tray 72 may fall off. And are maintained in a substantially parallel state (a state in which grains do not spill).
[0096]
Here, when the operator grips the tray 72 and pulls it out of the insertion slot 80, this is detected by the tray presence / absence sensor 88 (step 236), and the process proceeds to step 238 to prepare the head for the next photometry standby. The unit 34 and the hopper unit 44 are returned to their initial positions (home positions).
[0097]
In the next step 240, the fetched data is processed, stored in the memory 114, and proceeds to step 242. In step 242, it is determined whether or not a print instruction has been issued. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 244 to execute print processing. If a negative determination is made, no printing is performed, and this routine ends. The printing of the data stored in the memory 114 can be performed at any time.
(Synchronization between the scanner unit and the handling unit)
As described above, the autoloader-type discriminating apparatus 10 of the present embodiment detects that the head unit 34 of the scanner unit 24 operates, and outputs the kernel stored in the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 to the rotary valve 54. Is rotated so that the timing of spraying the kernel is most optimal, and the flow of processing can be grasped in the state of the kernel. That is, before the photometry when the grains are stored in the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44, the grains are not stored in the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44, and during the photometry when the tray 72 is in the inserted state, If no grains are stored in the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 and the tray 72 on which the grains are scattered on the sample plate 76 is held in a cantilevered state at the insertion port 80, the photometry ends, and so on. The state of the processing can be reliably grasped only by visual observation by the operator.
[0098]
Further, since it is apparent at a glance that the positions of the grains on the sample plate 76 are different before and after photometry, there is no problem that the photometry operation is performed again on the grains that have been subjected to photometry by mistake.
(Separation of hardware configuration and control system)
Further, in the autoloader type discriminating apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the controller 18 and the discriminating apparatus main body 22 are completely separated. That is, since the hardware configuration and the control system are separated, a control system component in the discrimination device main body 22 having a hardware configuration is not particularly necessary, and the structure can be simplified.
[0099]
Further, the discriminating device main body 22 having a hardware configuration and the controller 18 serving as a control system can be separately improved and remodeled, and it is possible to easily cope with a version upgrade or the like.
[0100]
Further, in the discriminating device main body 22, it is possible to separate the scanner unit 24 and the kernel handling unit 26. For example, the kernel handling unit 26 is removed, and the kernel is sprayed directly on the tray 72 or the transparent glass plate 30. It is also possible to perform photometry and to provide versatility.
(Automation of tray supply / discharge)
According to the above-described embodiment, by inserting the leading end of the tray 72 into the insertion slot 80, the tray insertion detection sensor 90 detects this, and the narrow roller 84 of the slot 78 rotates, thereby automatically The tray 72 can be held between the narrow rollers 84 and fed to the photometric position.
[0101]
Further, when the light metering position is reached, the light metering position detection sensor 92 detects this, so that the driving of the narrow roller 84 can be automatically stopped.
[0102]
Further, after the end of the photometry, the narrow roller 84 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction and moved until it protrudes from the insertion port 80. At this time, since the tray 72 is held in the cantilevered state at the insertion opening 80, the grains sprayed on the sample plate 76 can be held without falling down.
[0103]
In addition, since the tray 72 is detachable from the main body, cleaning of the sample plate 76 and the like are simplified, and no error occurs in the photometric data at the time of photometric measurement of the next grain due to the adhesion of dust and scum of the grain. Thus, accurate photometry can always be performed. Further, since the kernels are not sprayed directly in the discriminating device main body 22, the maintenance interval in the discriminating device main body 22 can be greatly lengthened.
(Dispersion of grain)
If the grains sprinkled on the sample plate 76 of the tray 72 are overlapped or if the sprinkles are uneven in density, accurate photometry cannot be performed. For this reason, great care must be taken in dispersing the grains, the operation becomes complicated, and the overall processing time is greatly affected.
[0104]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a rotary valve 54 is installed below the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 that stores the grains, and the rotary valve 54 is rotated while moving the hopper unit 44 on the sample plate 76. The grain of the receiving tray 52 was gradually dropped on the sample plate 76.
[0105]
As a result, the grains are sprayed almost evenly over the entire surface of the sample plate 76, and the density between adjacent grains can be almost eliminated. The valve seat 56 does not scatter the grains falling from the rotary valve 54.
[0106]
Further, no special jig or the like is required, and the workability is improved, so that the processing time can be shortened.
(Synchronization of head, hopper unit and rotary valve)
The kernels need to be sprayed on the sample plate 76 at least before the head unit 34 starts photometry.
[0107]
However, if the spraying is performed before the head section 34 starts to move, the time until the spraying is completed is wasted, and the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 is emptied. There is a problem such as doing.
[0108]
Therefore, the movement speed of the head unit 34 is calculated from the time Δt during which the movement of the head unit 34 passes through the distance L between the two sensors of the scan start position sensor 38 and the distance measurement position sensor 42, and the movement speed of the hopper unit is calculated. By setting the rotational linear velocity of the rotary valve 54 to be the same as the moving velocity of the head section 34, the scatter of the grains and the photometry are performed in parallel, so that the waste time is reduced and the entire processing is performed. Time can be reduced.
[0109]
In addition, even if the reading speed of the scanner unit 24 is changed, or the rated moving speed of the head unit 34 is changed due to a change in the specifications of the scanner unit 24 or a new replacement, etc., it is possible to cope without changing the software. It becomes.
[0110]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components will be omitted.
[0111]
The feature of the second embodiment is that the operations of the hopper unit 44 and the rotary valve 54 are linked by using a single drive source.
[0112]
As shown in FIG. 10, a rotation shaft of the rotary valve 54 protrudes from the hopper unit 44, and a rope wheel portion 132 and a gear portion 134 each serving as a winder portion are coaxially integrated with the rotation shaft. The formed rotating body 136 is attached.
[0113]
The gear portion 134 of the rotating body 136 is supported by a pair of rack rails 138 (only one is shown).
[0114]
As shown in FIG. 11, hopper guides 140 protruding toward the rack rails 138 are attached to both ends of the hopper unit 44 in the longitudinal direction. The hopper guide 140 overlaps a rib 138A that projects horizontally from the rack rail 138 in the thickness direction. As a result, the rotation of the hopper unit 44 is prevented.
[0115]
Pulleys 142 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rack rails 138, and the pulleys 142 coaxially opposed to each other are connected by a rotating shaft 144.
[0116]
Wire ropes 146 are wound around pulleys 142 located at both ends of the same rack rail 138. The wire rope 146 is endless, and one of two linear portions from one pulley 142 to the other pulley 144 is spirally wound around the rope wheel 132 one or two turns. For this reason, when the pulley 142 rotates, the wire rope 146 moves in the axial direction, and this movement causes the rope wheel portion 132 to rotate, causing the rotary valve 54 to rotate.
[0117]
Further, the gear portion 134 is rotated by this rotation, so that the gear portion 134 moves in the direction perpendicular to the axis while rotating along the tooth portion 138B of the rack rail 138. As a result, the hopper unit 44 It will slide along the longitudinal direction of the rack rail 138.
[0118]
The rotation shaft of the hopper / valve motor 148 is connected to the outer end of one of the four pulleys (the side opposite to the inside where the rotation shaft 144 is mounted).
[0119]
That is, when the hopper / valve motor 148 is driven, the four pulleys 142 rotate at a constant speed by the connection of the rotating shaft 144 and the wire rope 146, and this rotation causes the rotation of the rotary valve 54 and the hopper unit 44 to rotate as described above. Can be performed simultaneously.
[0120]
According to the second embodiment, a single drive source (hopper / valve motor 148) for moving the hopper unit 44 and for rotating the rotary valve 54 reduces the number of parts and reduces the structure. Can be simplified. Further, since the movement speed of the hopper unit 44 and the rotational linear speed of the rotary valve 54 can be mechanically synchronized, the control system can be simplified.
[0121]
As a result, the valve motor 58 and the hopper motor 68 are synchronized (depending on the diameter of the gear 134), and the hopper motor 68 is driven while driving the valve motor 58, so that the hopper unit 44 Can be evenly arranged on the tray 72 (see FIG. 5).
[0122]
In the second embodiment, the hopper / valve motor 148 is attached to the pulley 142, but the same effect can be obtained by attaching the hopper / valve motor 148 directly to the rotating body 136 instead.
[0123]
(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components will be omitted.
[0124]
The feature of the third embodiment resides in that the movement of the hopper unit 44 follows the movement of the head unit 34, and the rotation of the rotary valve 44 is synchronized with this movement.
[0125]
As shown in FIG. 12, a sensor array 128 in which a plurality of photoelectric sensors 128A are arranged is attached to the hopper unit 44 along the moving direction (also the moving direction of the head unit 34). The sensor array 128 moves together with the hopper unit 44, and is arranged so that each photoelectric sensor 128A can detect the head section 34 at a position shifted by the distance.
[0126]
Accordingly, the photoelectric sensor 128A at the center of the sensor array 128 functions as a reference sensor, and the movement of the hopper unit 44, that is, the rotation speed of the hopper motor 68 is controlled so that the head unit 34 is detected by the reference sensor. It has become.
[0127]
That is, in the simplest case, as shown in FIG. 13, a sensor array 128 including three photoelectric sensors 128L, 128C, and 128R is applicable. When the head unit 34 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 128L upstream of the central photoelectric sensor 128C among the three photoelectric sensors 128L, 128C, 128R, the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 is reduced (FIG. 13). (See FIG. 13A), and when the head section 34 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 128R on the downstream side, the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 is increased (see FIG. 13B). When the head section 34 is detected by the central photoelectric sensor 128C, the acceleration or deceleration is released (see FIG. 13C).
[0128]
By repeating this, the hopper unit 44 moves while following the head part 34 so as to be detected by the central photoelectric sensor 128C.
[0129]
Further, the valve motor 58 of the rotary valve 54 is controlled so as to have the same rotational linear speed as the moving speed of the hopper unit 44.
[0130]
In FIG. 13, the simplest system has been described. However, in actuality, a plurality of photoelectric sensors 128A are arranged upstream and downstream with respect to the center, and the number of photoelectric sensors 128A is detected by each photoelectric sensor 128A. By preparing a map with the speed, more accurate tracking is possible. In this case, a CCD line sensor or the like can be applied.
[0131]
As shown in FIG. 14, a hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 is connected to the hopper unit operation control unit 104 in the third embodiment. A sensor array 128 is connected to the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126, and a signal from the scan start position sensor 38 is input via the scanner operation control unit 102 and the hopper unit operation control unit 104. ing.
[0132]
Further, the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 is connected to an initial speed memory 130 in which an initial speed obtained from the specifications of the head unit 34 is stored, and a detection signal of the head unit 34 by the scan start position sensor 38 is provided. Is set as the initial speed of the hopper unit 44 by the hopper / valve speed setting section 126.
[0133]
Here, the hopper / valve speed setting unit 126 determines an increase / decrease value of the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 based on the initial speed based on a signal from each photoelectric sensor 128A of the sensor array 128. The driving of the hopper motor 68 is controlled based on the determined speed.
[0134]
When the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 is determined, the rotational linear speed of the rotary valve 54 is set to the same speed, and the driving of the valve motor 58 is controlled.
[0135]
That is, the hopper unit 44 and the rotary valve 54 move and rotate under feedback control so as to follow the movement of the head unit 34.
[0136]
Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same processing steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 shown in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0137]
As shown in FIG. 15A, steps 200 to 216 are the same as those in FIG.
[0138]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 216, the process proceeds to step 250 where the initial speed is read out and set as the initial speed of the hopper unit 44 and the initial linear speed of the rotary valve 54.
[0139]
In the next step 252, the movement of the hopper unit 44 is started at the set initial speed. Then, in step 254, the rotation of the rotary valve 54 is started, and the flow proceeds to step 232.
[0140]
Note that when the hopper unit 44 starts moving and the rotary valve 54 starts rotating in steps 252 and 254, an interrupt routine shown in FIG. 15B is started. This interrupt is interrupted when the position detected by the sensor array 128 changes.
[0141]
As shown in FIG. 15B, in step 300, the photoelectric sensor 128A in the sensor array 128 that has detected the head portion 34 is specified, and then the process proceeds to step 302, where the position of the photoelectric sensor 128A is determined based on the detected position. Then, the increase / decrease value of the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 is calculated.
[0142]
In the next step 304, the calculated increase / decrease value is fed back to the driving of the hopper motor 68 of the hopper unit 44. In the next step 306, the drive of the valve motor 58 of the rotary valve 54 is fed back so as to be the same as the movement speed of the hopper unit as a result of the increase / decrease, and the valve motor 58 sets the rotational linear speed and returns.
[0143]
As shown in FIG. 15A, in step 232, a photometric process is performed while the movement of the hopper unit 44 and the rotation of the rotary valve 54 are subjected to feedback control so as to follow the movement of the head unit 34. You. Steps 232 to 244 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment.
[0144]
As described above, in the third embodiment, it is necessary that the grains are sprayed on the sample plate 76 at least before the head section 34 starts photometry.
[0145]
However, if the spraying is started before the movement to the head section 34, the time until the spraying is completed is wasted, and the tray 52 of the hopper unit 44 is emptied. There is a problem such as doing.
[0146]
The moving speed of the head section 34 is basically fixed (constant) depending on the set resolution, but the constant speed may not be able to be maintained due to hardware. In some cases, the image data becomes large in software, and the head unit 34 must be temporarily stopped in order to wait for data processing (communication, storage, etc.).
[0147]
Therefore, when the start of the movement of the head unit 34 is detected by the scan start position sensor 38, the operation of the hopper unit 44 and the rotary valve 54 is started at a preset initial speed, and the operation of the sensor array 128 is started. The moving speed of the head unit 34 is monitored based on the detection state of each photoelectric sensor 128A, and the operation of the hopper unit and the rotary valve 54 is fed back so as to follow the change in the moving speed of the head unit 34. did. Accordingly, since the moving speed of the hopper unit 44 and the rotational linear speed of the rotary valve 54 are always controlled to be the same as the moving speed of the head unit 34, the scattering of the kernels and the photometry can be performed in parallel. Thus, waste time can be omitted and the overall processing time can be shortened.
[0148]
In addition, even if the reading speed of the scanner unit 24 is changed, or the rated moving speed of the head unit 34 is changed due to a change in the specifications of the scanner unit 24 or a new replacement, etc., it is possible to cope without changing the software. It becomes.
[0149]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, at least a measuring device for optically measuring a granular test object and a handling unit for handling (reserving, spraying, collecting, etc.) the granular test object are made detachable, and each is independent. The present invention has an excellent effect that it can be improved and maintained, and a form having the highest working efficiency can be selected according to the situation of the measurement work (eg, the amount of the granular inspection object).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of an autoloader type discriminating apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the autoloader type discriminating apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the hopper unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for moving the hopper unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a tray and a structure for supplying and discharging the tray according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the tray of FIG. 5 and a structure for feeding and discharging the tray, as viewed from an insertion direction.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an operation functional block diagram of a controller for controlling the operation of the discriminating apparatus body according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation for photometry (determination) of kernels according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for moving a hopper unit according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a front view of a structure of a rotating body that is an interlocking mechanism between a hopper unit and a rotary valve according to a second embodiment, as viewed from a moving direction of the hopper unit.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a mechanism for following a head of a hopper unit according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an operation diagram when the following operation according to the third embodiment is simplified.
FIG. 14 is an operation functional block diagram of a controller for controlling an operation of the discrimination device body according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 15A is a control flowchart showing an operation for photometry (determination) of a grain, and FIG. 15B is a flowchart for causing a hopper unit and a rotary valve to follow a head unit according to the third embodiment. It is a control flowchart.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Autoloader type discriminator (granular inspection object state discriminator)
12, 14 Box 16 Case 18 Controller 18A LCD monitor 20 Printer 22 Discriminator 24 Scanner (measuring device)
26 Grain handling part (handling means)
28 Casing 30 Transparent glass plate 32 Line scanning type imaging unit 34 Head 36 Scanner motor 38 Scan start position sensor 40 Scan end position sensor 42 Distance measuring position sensor 44 Hopper unit 46 Cover 48 Input port (input section)
50 home position sensor 52 saucer 54 rotary valve (discharge means)
54A Recess 56 Valve seat 58 Valve motor 60 Rail 62 Pulley 64 Rotary shaft 66 Wire 68 Hopper motor 70 Hopper turn-back position sensor 72 Tray 74 Frame 76 Sample plate 78 Slot 80 Insertion opening 82 Rotary shaft 84 Narrow roller 86 Drive motor 88 Tray presence / absence detection sensor 90 Tray insertion detection sensor 92 Photometric position detection sensor 100 Tray supply / discharge control unit 102 Scanner operation control unit 104 Hopper unit operation control unit (start timing follow-up control unit)
106 Start switch 108 Scan motor driver 110 Metering unit 112 Metering data management unit 114 Memory 116 Display control unit 118 Print instruction button 120 Printer driver 122, 124 Driver 126 Hopper / valve speed setting unit (synchronization control unit)

Claims (1)

A measuring device that measures the reflected light or transmitted light by scanning the inside of the measurement area while irradiating the granular test object with light, and the state of the granular test object based on the photometric data measured by the measuring device. A granular inspection object discriminating device for discriminating
A loading unit that is disposed detachably with respect to the measurement device and that inputs the granular test object,
A granular inspection object handling means for receiving and storing the granular inspection object from the input section and uniformly dispersing the granular inspection object in the measurement area while moving in the space above the measurement area,
With the start of measurement by the measuring device as a trigger, a start timing follow-up control unit that starts spraying the granular inspection object by the granular inspection object handling unit,
A device for determining the state of a granular object to be inspected.

Images