JP2018189433A - Inspection device of egg - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection device of an egg capable of performing inspection without being affected by an adjacent egg.SOLUTION: An inspection device of an egg includes: a plurality of irradiation parts for irradiating light to eggs arrayed in a front-to-back direction and a left-to-right direction; an imaging part for imaging the eggs transmitted with the light; and a determination part for determining a surface state of the eggs based on an image imaged by this imaging part. Each irradiation part divides the plurality of eggs by dividing them into a plurality of groups. Each irradiation part for irradiating the eggs belonging to one group among the plurality of groups is turned on, and each irradiation part for irradiating the eggs belonging to the other group located at the front-to-back and the left-to-the right of the eggs belonging to one group is controlled so as to be turned off.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for determining the surface state of an egg.

Eggs shipped to the market are sorted according to physical properties such as weight by a sorting and packaging device, and then packed in a transparent synthetic resin pack. Prior to or in parallel with this sorting package, the eggs are subjected to various tests. For example, to select the surface condition of eggs (physical properties of eggshell), specifically, those that have cracks or cracks on the egg surface, or those that have dung stains on the egg surface. Inspection.

For example, the egg inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 irradiates light from directly below an egg that is arranged on a roller in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction while being rotated about the long axis of the egg. An illuminating device that performs imaging, an imaging device that images an egg from directly above, and a determination unit that determines a surface state of the egg based on the captured image.

In such an egg inspection apparatus, the light transmitted through the egg is scattered in the eggshell, and the whole egg emits light like a light emitter. The cracked portion on the surface appears brighter because there is no eggshell to be transmitted as compared to the unbroken portion.

JP-A-11-326202

However, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the above-described brightly appearing portion E10 is close to the other eggs E9 adjacent to the front, back, left or right of the egg, it is affected by the broken egg E10. Thus, there may be a problem that other unbroken eggs E9 appear brightly. Moreover, even if it does not have a crack, it is also considered that other adjacent eggs appear brightly under the influence of light reflected on the lower surface side of the irradiated egg.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an egg inspection apparatus that can be inspected without being influenced by adjacent eggs.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention takes the following measures. That is, the egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1 includes a plurality of irradiation units that irradiate light toward the eggs arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and an imaging unit that images the eggs that have transmitted the light. And a determination unit that determines the surface state of the egg based on an image photographed by the imaging unit, wherein each irradiation unit irradiates the plurality of eggs in a plurality of groups. Yes, among each of the plurality of groups, when each irradiation unit that irradiates an egg belonging to one group is turned on, an egg belonging to another group positioned before, after, and after the egg belonging to one group is irradiated Each irradiation unit is controlled to be turned off.

The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 2 is the egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines an egg surface state in an inspection region set in advance for the image. The examination area for eggs belonging to the one group and the examination area for eggs belonging to the other group are set separately.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the test | inspection apparatus of the egg which can test | inspect without being influenced by the adjacent egg can be provided.

1 is a schematic plan view of an egg inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which looked at the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment along the conveyance direction. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which looked at the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment along the conveyance direction. The schematic plan view which shows the lower surface side of the conveyance part concerning the embodiment. The schematic plan view which shows the lower surface side of the conveyance part concerning the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image obtained with the inspection apparatus of the egg of the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image obtained with the inspection apparatus of the egg of the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image obtained with the inspection apparatus of the egg of the embodiment. Schematic which looked at the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention along the conveyance direction. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the inspection apparatus of the egg concerning the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image obtained with the conventional egg inspection apparatus.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used in an egg sorting system (not shown) for sorting according to physical properties such as weight.

The egg selection system includes an original egg supply unit to which raw eggs are supplied, a direction alignment unit that aligns the directions of a plurality of supplied eggs E, and eggs whose eggshells are mainly broken among the eggs E that have been aligned in direction. (Hereinafter referred to as “broken egg”) for detecting the broken egg (corresponding to the “egg inspection apparatus 1” of the present application), and the eggs E other than the broken egg are washed with warm water or the like. The egg washing part, the drying part for drying the surface of the egg E after washing, and the physical properties of the washed and dried egg E are detected using a known spectral analysis processing technique and acoustic processing technique, and a cracked egg is detected. It is mainly composed of a sorting set part for excluding eggs that are out of the trading standards for eggs such as dirty eggs, blood eggs, spoiled eggs, extremely small eggs, and extremely large eggs. Then, sorting is performed for each weight category of the agricultural and forestry standards based on the measurement result of the egg weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the normal egg excluding the non-standard egg. Since various known ones can be applied to the raw egg supply unit, the direction alignment unit, the egg washing unit, the drying unit, the sorting assembly unit, and the egg weight measurement unit, detailed description thereof is omitted.

The egg breaking detection unit (hereinafter referred to as “inspection apparatus 1”) is disposed upstream of the cleaning unit for cleaning the egg E and the drying unit for drying the egg E. Hereinafter, the inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inspection apparatus 1 includes irradiation units 2 and 3 that irradiate light toward the egg E, imaging units 4 and 5 that capture the egg E that transmits the light, And a determination unit (not shown) that determines the surface state of the egg E based on the image P photographed by the imaging units 4 and 5. The inspection apparatus 1 inspects the egg E that is conveyed to the downstream side while being rotated by the transport unit 6.

The irradiation parts 2 and 3 are for irradiating light toward the egg E arranged in the front-back direction and the left-right direction, as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the irradiation parts 2 and 3 are the 1st irradiation part 2 for irradiating from the one edge part E1 side of the egg E, and the 2nd for irradiating from the other edge part E2 side of the egg E. The irradiation part 3 is provided. Each irradiation part 2 and 3 irradiates infrared light toward the lower surface side of the egg E, and is disposed below the transport part 6. In the present embodiment, LEDs that irradiate infrared light having a wavelength of 750 nm to 850 nm, for example, are used as the irradiation units 2 and 3.

Irradiation by the irradiation units 2 and 3 is executed based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided on the upstream side of the irradiation units 2 and 3 that detects the presence or absence of the egg E. The sensor is provided above the egg E, and detects the egg E conveyed from the upstream side by the conveying unit 6. And if the detected egg E is conveyed to a predetermined position, the irradiation parts 2 and 3 will light-emit. Therefore, the irradiation units 2 and 3 are lit intermittently.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7, three first irradiation units 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport direction, and the first irradiation unit 2 is arranged. Three second irradiation units 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals at positions shifted by a half pitch. Moreover, the 1st irradiation part 2 is arrange | positioned in the position which shifted | deviated to the one side from the left-right direction center C of each row | line | column of the conveyance part 6 of 6 rows, and the 2nd irradiation part 3 is the position of each conveyance part 6. It is arranged at a position shifted from the left-right direction center C to the other side. That is, said 1st irradiation part 2 and said 2nd irradiation part 3 are arrange | positioned zigzag along the conveyance direction of the egg E. As shown in FIG.

In addition, each 1st irradiation part 2 is set in the position hidden by the egg E mounted on the conveyance part 6 in the image P image | photographed with the 1st imaging part 4 mentioned later, and 2nd Each irradiation unit 3 is set at a position hidden by an egg E placed on the transport unit 6 in an image P photographed by a second imaging unit 5 described later. In other words, in this egg inspection apparatus 1, the imaging unit has the first imaging unit 4 that images the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E, and the egg from the one end E1 side of the egg E. A second imaging unit 5 that images E, and the irradiation unit is configured to connect a line connecting the first imaging unit 4 and an egg E on the transport unit 6 (or an opening 63 described later of the transport unit 6). Arranged on an extension line of a line connecting the first irradiation unit 2 disposed on the extension line, the second imaging unit 5 and the egg E on the transport unit 6 (or an opening 63 described later of the transport unit 6). The second irradiation unit 3 is provided.

Each irradiation part 2 and 3 of this embodiment divides | segments and irradiates the said some egg E to the some group A and B, and the egg which belongs to one group A among the said several groups A and B When each irradiation part 2 and 3 which irradiates E is lighting, each irradiation part 2 and 3 which irradiates the egg E which belongs to the other group B located in front and back, right and left of the egg E which belongs to one group A It is controlled by a control device to be described later so as to be turned off. 6 and FIG. 7, the eggs E belonging to the group A are denoted by the symbol A, and the eggs E belonging to the group B are denoted by the symbol B.

The first irradiation units 2 that irradiate the eggs E belonging to the group B when the first irradiation units 2 that irradiate the eggs E belonging to the group A are turned on among the first irradiation units 2. Is controlled to be turned off. Conversely, when the first irradiation units 2 that irradiate the eggs E belonging to the group B are turned on, the first irradiation units 2 that irradiate the eggs E that belong to the group A are turned off. Be controlled.

Similarly, each second irradiation unit 3 that irradiates the eggs E belonging to the group B when the second irradiation units 3 that irradiate the eggs belonging to the group A are turned on. Control is performed so that the unit 3 is turned off. On the contrary, when the second irradiation units 3 that irradiate the eggs E belonging to the group B are turned on, the second irradiation units 3 that irradiate the eggs E that belong to the group A are turned off. Be controlled.

That is, in this embodiment, a plurality of eggs are divided into two groups A and B, and when one group is turned on, the other group is turned off and turned on alternately. When attention is paid to the eggs E of the group A, the eggs E are arranged in a staggered manner among the eggs E arranged at a predetermined pitch in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on the transport unit 6. Similarly, when attention is paid to the eggs E of the group B, the eggs E are arranged in a staggered pattern among the eggs E arranged at a predetermined pitch in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on the transport unit 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, and 7, the imaging units 4 and 5 are for photographing the eggs arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction from above. In the present embodiment, the first imaging unit 4 that images the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E, and the second imaging unit 5 that images the egg E from the one end E1 side of the egg E, Is provided. Each imaging unit 4, 5 is capable of photographing the upper surface side of the egg E, is provided above the transport unit 6, and is disposed obliquely with respect to the transport unit 6 and the irradiation units 2, 3. In the present embodiment, a CCD camera having sensitivity in the near-infrared region is used as each of the imaging units 4 and 5, and thereby, an image P in which infrared light is transmitted through the egg E can be acquired. Yes. Each of the imaging units 4 and 5 is set so that three rows of eggs E are in the field of view. In the present embodiment, two each of the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are provided. However, it is not limited to this.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an image P obtained by photographing the eggs E arranged as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the imaging units 4 and 5. In the present embodiment, an image P corresponding to 3 rows × 3 columns is obtained, but in FIG. 8, for the purpose of explanation, six eggs are picked up from the image P. Here, in order from the left, the hole egg E3, the depressed egg E4, the open crack egg E5, the dung dirt egg E6, the contents-attached egg E7, and the wound / spotted egg E8 are schematically shown. Those having large holes on the eggshell surface, such as the hole egg E3 and the open crack egg E5, are to be discarded. On the other hand, the depressed egg E4 can be set so as not to be discarded unless a hole is formed. The wound / spotted egg E8 is set not to be discarded.

The determination unit determines the state of the surface based on the captured image P. The specific mode of the determination unit (image processing means) is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various methods known in this field can be applied.

The determination unit of the present embodiment performs inspection and determination on the eggs E in the inspection regions RA and RB set in advance for the image P, and the inspection on the eggs E belonging to the one group A The region RA and the inspection region RB for the eggs E belonging to the other group B are set separately. Each inspection area RA, RB is set to a range as large as possible so as to accommodate an egg E that is not an object to be inspected, and also to accommodate a large-sized egg. Therefore, when the inspection area RA and the inspection area RB are overlapped, a part of each area overlaps.

A control device (not shown) for controlling the inspection device 1 of this embodiment is a microcomputer system having a processor, a memory, an input interface, an output interface, and the like. The memory of the control device stores a predetermined threshold value for comparing the photographed image P with a digitized gray value. As the predetermined threshold value, for example, an image for determining “cracking” or “feces contamination” in the image P photographed with infrared light can be considered.

If the gray value of the image P photographed with infrared light is within a range (darker) that is smaller (darker) than the predetermined threshold, it can be determined that there is no “crack”. On the other hand, if there is a portion where the gray value of the image P photographed with infrared light is larger (brighter) than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the portion is “cracked”. That is, it can be said that a bright region (a portion larger than the predetermined threshold) in the image P is a portion where infrared light is transmitted more strongly.

The egg E through which the infrared rays are transmitted scatters light within the eggshell, and the entire egg E emits light like a light emitter. The cracked portion on the surface appears brighter because there is no eggshell to be transmitted as compared to the unbroken portion.

As a specific method for performing image processing on each image P, each image P may be binarized using a predetermined threshold. Thus, if there is a “crack” in the image P, that portion appears as a brighter (white) area than the others. The determination unit may determine that there is a “crack” when there is even a bright region, or determine that there is a “crack” when the area ratio of the bright region to the determination region exceeds a threshold value. Also good. In addition, if the same process is performed for “feces contamination” using another threshold, the portion appears as a darker (black) region than the other.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the transport unit 6 transports a plurality of eggs E in an aligned state. The transport unit 6 is attached to the roller shaft 61 and aligned in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. This is well known in this field, which is mainly composed of a roller 62. An opening 63 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed between the rollers 62 adjacent to each other in the transport direction. In a region corresponding to the opening 63, that is, in an area where the egg E is held between the rollers 62 adjacent in the conveying direction, and the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is disposed. The egg E is configured to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation of the roller 62. In FIG. 5, the roller shaft 61 and the roller 62 are indicated by a two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a protection member 8 for preventing the contents of garbage and eggs E from falling directly on the irradiation units 2 and 3 is provided below the transport unit 6. The protection member 8 is a plate-like member that covers the entire region where the irradiation units 2 and 3 are arranged, and is formed using a material that transmits infrared rays. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the path of light irradiated by the irradiation units 2 and 3 is schematically shown by broken lines.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the black reflection suppression part 9 which suppresses the light which once reached | attained the conveyance part 6 side is reflected and reaches | attains the conveyance part 6 side again below the said conveyance part 6 Provided. In other words, below the transport unit 6, a black reflection suppression unit 9 that weakens the light reflected by the egg E or the lower surface side of the transport unit 6 is provided. The reflection suppression unit 9 is provided on the upper surface side of the protection member 8. The reflection suppression unit 9 is formed in a portion indicated by a color in FIGS. 1 to 5, and avoids a light path from the irradiation units 2 and 3 to the egg E, and in the transport direction. A plurality of strips are provided along.

Next, an example of control with respect to the irradiation units 2 and 3 and the imaging units 4 and 5 of the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the presence or absence of an egg E to be inspected is detected. Specifically, it is detected whether or not the egg E is placed between the adjacent rollers 62 by using a sensor arranged at a predetermined distance upstream from each of the irradiation units 2 and 3, and a signal to that effect is output.

If there is an egg E, at the timing when the egg E on the transport unit 6 comes right above the first irradiation unit 2, as shown in FIG. The first irradiation unit 2 corresponding to the egg E is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S1). At that time, when the irradiated infrared light (direct light) enters the imaging units 4 and 5, the imaging of the egg E is inferior, so that the irradiation position, irradiation timing, and the like can be irradiated within an appropriate range of the eggshell. Is preferable (the same applies to the other steps described below). And the egg E is image | photographed by the 1st imaging part 4 according to irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 (the irradiation unit 3 located below the roller 62) corresponding to the eggs E of the group B among the first irradiation unit 2 are turned off. ing.

After step S1, the irradiation unit 2 is switched on and off in a very short time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 (ii), the first irradiation unit 2 corresponding to the egg E of the group B among the first irradiation unit 2 is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S2). ). At that time, the egg E is imaged by the first imaging unit 4 in accordance with the irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 (the irradiation unit 3 located below the roller 62) corresponding to the eggs E of the group A among the first irradiation unit 2 are turned off. ing.

After the end of step S2, the second irradiation corresponding to the eggs E of the group A in the second irradiation unit 3, as shown in FIG. The unit 3 is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S3). At that time, the egg E is imaged by the second imaging unit 5 in accordance with the irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the second irradiation unit 3 and the first irradiation unit 2 (the irradiation unit 2 positioned below the roller 62) corresponding to the eggs E of the group B among the second irradiation unit 3 are turned off. ing.

After the end of step S3, the irradiation unit 3 is switched on and off in a very short time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 (iv), the second irradiation unit 3 corresponding to the egg E of the group B among the second irradiation units 3 is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S4). ). At that time, the egg E is imaged by the second imaging unit 5 in accordance with the irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the second irradiation unit 3 and the first irradiation unit 2 (the irradiation unit 2 positioned below the roller 62) corresponding to the eggs E of the group A among the second irradiation unit 3 are turned off. ing.

And when a determination part processes the image image | photographed by step S1, S3, as shown in FIG. 9, it determines only about the egg E of the test | inspection area | region RA set so that only the egg of A group may be enclosed. Do. On the other hand, when processing the images taken in steps S2 and S4, as shown in FIG. 10, only the eggs E in the examination region RB set so as to surround only the eggs of the group B are determined.

Note that these steps are repeated a total of six times, with three times of shooting by the first imaging unit 4 and three times of shooting by the second imaging unit 5 for one egg E that moves while rotating. .

As described above, the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment transmits a plurality of irradiation units 2 and 3 that irradiate light toward the eggs E arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and transmits the light. The image pickup units 4 and 5 for photographing the egg E, and the determination unit for determining the surface state of the egg based on the image P photographed by the image pickup units 4 and 5 are provided. The irradiation units 2 and 3 irradiate the plurality of eggs E in a plurality of groups A and B, and the eggs E belonging to one group A among the plurality of groups A and B. The irradiation units 2 and 3 that irradiate the eggs E belonging to the other group B located on the front, back, left and right of the egg E belonging to one group A are turned off when the irradiation units 2 and 3 that irradiate Controlled as you are.

Therefore, the inspection can be performed without being affected by the adjacent egg E. That is, when the distance between the portion E10 where the surface of the egg is broken and appears bright in the image P and the other eggs E9 adjacent to the front and rear or the left and right of the egg E is short, it is affected by the broken egg E10. Thus, the problem that other unbroken eggs E9 appear brightly can be solved. Further, although not shown in the present specification, other adjacent eggs appear brightly under the influence of light reflected on the lower surface side of the irradiated egg, regardless of whether or not there is a crack. It can be considered. However, this problem can be solved by the present embodiment.

The determination unit is configured to determine a surface state of the egg E in the inspection area RA and RB set in advance for the image P, and the inspection area RA for the egg E belonging to the one group A. And the said test | inspection area | region RB with respect to the egg E which belongs to the said other group B is set separately. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of stray light caused by the reflection on the surface of the egg E10 having the adjacent crack or the egg E. Therefore, if it is like this embodiment, the misjudgment by stray light can be prevented and the judgment accuracy of the surface state of the egg E can be improved from the conventional one.

Furthermore, in the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the irradiation units 2 and 3 have the first irradiation unit 2 for irradiation from one end E1 side of the egg E, and the other end of the egg E. And the second irradiating unit 3 for irradiating from the part E2 side, and the imaging units 4 and 5 have the other end of the egg E when the first irradiating unit 2 is irradiating the egg E. The first imaging unit 4 that images the egg E from the E2 side and the egg E from the one end E1 side of the egg E when the second irradiation unit 3 is irradiating the egg E A second imaging unit 5.

Therefore, it is possible to inspect whether or not there are defects in the surface state of the egg E such as cracks, cracks, and adhesion of dirt on the sharp end side or blunt end side of the egg E. In particular, the eggs E are conveyed while being rotated about the long axis of the eggs E by the rollers 62, and inspected one after another over the entire circumference of the eggs E. The first imaging unit 4 captures an area from the other end E2 of the egg E to the circumference of the egg E, and the second imaging unit 5 captures the egg from one end E1 of the egg E to the egg. Of course, since the area around E's trunk is photographed, it is possible to inspect for cracks and the like around the trunk.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, since the egg E is photographed from the side opposite to the end side illuminated by the irradiation units 2 and 3, the whole irradiation unit 2 and 3 on the side that is lit is the egg E. To hide. In other words, the irradiation units 2 and 3 and the imaging units 4 and 5 are arranged so that the imaging units 4 and 5 can capture images at a position where the direct light from the irradiation units 2 and 3 is blocked by the egg E. That is, the egg E is positioned at a position where the light emitted from the irradiation units 2 and 3 and the imaging units 4 and 5 are connected. The egg E blocks direct light from the irradiation units 2 and 3, and the imaging unit 4 and It is possible to suppress direct light from entering 5. Therefore, the light emitted from the lighting device leaks from the outside of the egg and enters the imaging device, and the occurrence of a phenomenon of erroneously determining that the white portion is an egg crack can be eliminated, and the detection of the crack or the like is performed appropriately. It becomes possible.

Moreover, the said irradiation parts 2 and 3 are arrange | positioned under the conveyance part 6 conveyed while rotating the said egg E, the light which reached the conveyance part 6 side once is reflected, and reaches the conveyance part 6 side again A black reflection suppressing portion 9 that suppresses the above is provided below the conveying portion 6. Therefore, the light reflected by the egg E on the transport unit 6 strikes the upper surface of the protective member 8 (protective glass) and is reflected, so that stray light entering the imaging units 4 and 5 can be suppressed, and deterioration in determination accuracy can be prevented. Moreover, if the reflection suppression part 9 is arrange | positioned like this embodiment, the role which squeezes the light from the irradiation parts 2 and 3 will also be played.

Moreover, since the test | inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned in the upstream of the washing | cleaning part which wash | cleans the egg E among the egg selection systems, and the drying part which dries the egg E, a washing | cleaning part and a drying part can be soiled. Broken eggs and leaked eggs can be sorted before being transported to these devices. Therefore, contamination of the apparatus and water can be suppressed, and the labor of cleaning can be saved.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Compared with the first embodiment, the arrangement of the irradiation unit 21 and the imaging unit 41 is different. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same as that of 1st embodiment, or is equivalent to this, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of irradiation units 21 that irradiate light toward the eggs E arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and an imaging unit 41 that captures the eggs E that transmit the light. And a determination unit (not shown) for determining the surface state of the egg based on an image (not shown) photographed by the imaging unit 41.

Each irradiation unit 21 irradiates a plurality of eggs E in a plurality of groups A and B, and each irradiation unit irradiates the eggs E belonging to one group A among the plurality of groups A and B. Control is performed by the control device so that each irradiation unit 21 that irradiates the eggs E belonging to the other group B located at the front, rear, left, and right of the egg E belonging to one group A is turned off when the light 21 is turned on. The

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the irradiation unit 21 of the present embodiment is for irradiating around the trunk of the egg E. And each irradiation part 21 is arranged in the horizontal direction center C vicinity of each row | line | column of 6 rows of conveyance parts 6 along the conveyance direction at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 11, the imaging unit 41 is for photographing the eggs arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction from above, and is arranged straight with respect to the transport unit 6 and the irradiation units 2 and 3. . 12 and 13, the imaging unit 41 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

Next, an example of control with respect to the irradiation unit 21 and the imaging unit 41 of the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the presence or absence of an egg E to be inspected is detected. Specifically, it is detected whether an egg E is placed between adjacent rollers 62 using a sensor, and a signal to that effect is output.

If there is an egg E, the irradiation corresponding to the egg E of the group A in the irradiation unit 21 at the timing when the egg E on the transport unit 6 comes right above the irradiation unit 21 as shown in FIG. The unit 21 is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S11). And the egg E is image | photographed with the imaging part 41 according to irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group B and the irradiation unit 21 located below the roller 62 are turned off.

After the end of step S11, the irradiation unit 21 is switched on and off in a very short time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 (ii), the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group B is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S12). And the egg E is image | photographed with the imaging part 41 according to irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group A and the irradiation unit 21 located below the roller 62 are turned off.

After the end of step S12, the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group A is turned on and irradiated with infrared light as shown in FIG. (Step S13). And the egg E is image | photographed with the imaging part 41 according to irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group B and the irradiation unit 21 located below the roller 62 are turned off.

After the completion of step S13, the irradiation unit 21 is switched on and off in a very short time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13 (iv), the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group B is turned on and irradiated with infrared light (step S14). And the egg E is image | photographed with the imaging part 41 according to irradiation of infrared light. At this time, the irradiation unit 21 corresponding to the egg E of the group A and the irradiation unit 21 located below the roller 62 are turned off.

And when a determination part processes the image image | photographed by step S11, S13, it determines only about the egg E of the test | inspection area | region set so that only the egg of A group may be enclosed. On the other hand, when processing the images photographed in steps S12 and S14, the determination is made only for the eggs E in the examination region set so as to surround only the eggs of the B group.

In these steps, imaging by the imaging unit 41 is repeated a total of 6 times for one egg E that moves while rotating.

As described above, according to the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above or an effect equivalent thereto can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

You may use the test | inspection apparatus of an egg besides what test | inspects whether it is a broken egg. Further, it may be arranged at any position in the egg sorting system. That is, the place where the egg inspection apparatus of the present invention is arranged is not limited to the upstream side of the cleaning unit, but is downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the drying unit, or downstream of the drying unit. Also good.

The egg sorting system can be variously changed except for the inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The inspection apparatus of the present invention may be applied to an egg sorting system that does not include a washing unit or a drying unit.

The irradiation unit can be variously modified as long as it can irradiate eggs. Specifically, as the irradiating part for transmission, one containing visible light to infrared light components can be used, and it is preferable to use near infrared light having a wavelength of 780 nm to 870 nm among infrared rays. . That is, if a wavelength shorter than 780 nm is used, it is easily affected by the eggshell color, and if a wavelength longer than 870 nm is used, water absorption increases, so that it is easily affected by egg yolk and egg white, and the sensitivity of the imaging means. This is because there is a problem that the temperature drops. Further, the irradiating unit may include a “thing that refracts and focuses light” such as a lens, and a “thing that limits the angle of light” such as a diaphragm.

Also, with regard to the arrangement of the irradiation unit, when each irradiation unit that irradiates an egg belonging to one group is turned on, an egg belonging to another group positioned before, after, and after the egg belonging to one group is irradiated. As long as the irradiation units are arranged so that each irradiation unit does not exist, the irradiation units are not limited to those illustrated, and various modifications can be made. For example, it may be positioned outside each end of the egg and irradiate obliquely upward toward the opening. As a specific example, the irradiation unit is arranged outside the roller on which the egg to be irradiated is placed or under the egg other than the irradiation target egg, and the irradiation unit illuminates the circumference of the egg. It is done.

The method of dividing a plurality of eggs when irradiating each irradiation unit is such that eggs belonging to other groups are arranged on the front, rear, left, and right of the eggs belonging to one group. You may divide into. Also, three or more inspection areas may be set for the inspection area. As a matter of course, when the eggs in the endmost row of the transport unit are considered as specific eggs of one group, a situation in which eggs are not arranged at least on either the left or right side occurs. Eggs belonging to other groups are not necessarily arranged in places adjacent to the front, rear, left and right.

If there is no overlap with the imaging timing of each imaging unit, the timing of irradiating each irradiation unit that irradiates eggs belonging to one group and the respective irradiation unit irradiating eggs belonging to another group are lit A part of the timing may be overlapped, or a part of the timing at which the first irradiating part is lit and a part of the timing at which the second irradiating part is lit may be overlapped.

An imaging part will not be restricted to what was mentioned above if it can image | photograph an egg. The number of times of photographing by the imaging unit can be changed variously. Moreover, what was illustrated about the image image | photographed by these imaging parts is only an example.

Further, the arrangement of the imaging unit and the combination of the arrangement of the irradiation unit and the arrangement of the imaging unit are not limited to those illustrated. For example, the irradiation part and the imaging part which image | photographs the egg irradiated with the irradiation part may be arrange | positioned at the same edge part side of an egg. That is, the imaging unit captures the egg from the other end side of the egg when the second irradiation unit (for irradiation from the other end side of the egg) is irradiating the egg. An imaging unit and a second imaging unit that images the egg from one end side of the egg when the first irradiation unit (for irradiating from one end side of the egg) is irradiating the egg And may be provided.

The determination unit may determine the surface state based on the brightness difference (contrast) of the captured image. For example, if the image has a portion (edge) where the luminance is greatly changed, it can be determined that there is “cracking” or “feces contamination” in that portion. Prior to edge detection, preprocessing well known in this field may be applied to the image.

The conveying unit is not limited to one that conveys an egg while rotating it, and is not limited to one that conveys a long axis of the egg that is disposed sideways in the conveying direction. Also, the number of columns is not limited to six. That is, as long as the eggs are arranged two-dimensionally, that is, in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the transport unit may be anything.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the scope described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

The present invention can be used for an inspection apparatus for determining the surface state of an egg.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Egg inspection apparatus 2, 3, 21 ... Irradiation part 4, 5, 41 ... Imaging part P ... Image RA, RB ... Inspection area E ... Egg

Claims (2)

A plurality of irradiation units that irradiate light toward the eggs arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction;
An imaging unit for photographing the egg through which the light is transmitted;
An egg inspection apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines the surface state of an egg based on an image captured by the imaging unit;
Each of the irradiation units irradiates the plurality of eggs divided into a plurality of groups,
Each irradiation which irradiates the egg which belongs to the other group located in the front, back, right and left of the egg which belongs to one group, when each irradiation part which irradiates the egg which belongs to one group among the plurality of groups is lighting. The egg inspection apparatus is controlled so that the portion is turned off. The determination unit is configured to determine the surface state of an egg in an inspection region set in advance for the image,
The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection area for eggs belonging to the one group and the inspection area for eggs belonging to the other group are set separately.

Images