WO2019039319A1 - Egg inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

An egg inspection device (1) is provided with: a holding member (62) for holding an egg (E); irradiation parts (2, 3) for irradiating the egg (E) with light; image capturing parts (4, 5) for capturing an image of the egg (E) irradiated with the light; and a determination part (7) for determining surface conditions of the egg (E). The irradiation parts (2, 3) are provided with inclination members (21, 31) and light-emitting members (22, 32). The light-emitting members (22, 32) have light-emitting surfaces, which are flush with the surfaces of the inclination members (21, 31), and emit light. The inclination members (21, 31) are inclined in such a manner that the surfaces of the inclination members (21, 31) are oriented toward the egg (E) held by the holding member (62).

Description

Egg inspection device

The present invention relates to an egg inspection apparatus, and more particularly to an egg inspection apparatus for determining the surface condition of an egg.

Eggs to be shipped to the market are sorted according to physical properties such as weight by a sorting and packaging apparatus, and then packaged in a transparent plastic pack or the like. The eggs are subjected to various tests prior to or in parallel to the sorting and packaging. As an example, the surface state of an egg (physical properties of eggshell), specifically, one having a crack or crack on the surface of an egg, or one having fecal dirt attached to the surface of an egg, etc. is selected Examinations for

For example, the egg inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an illumination device, an imaging device, and a determination unit. The illumination device emits light from directly below to the transported egg while rotating around the long axis of the egg. The imaging device captures an egg from directly above. The determination unit determines the surface state of the egg based on the captured image.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-326202 Patent No. 5394917 gazette

In the egg inspection apparatus as described above, since the illumination device is located below the egg to be inspected, the contents of the egg (eg, egg white or egg yolk) may fall from the broken egg, or dirt from the soiled egg may be on the illumination device. Problem of falling into the

A method as described in Patent Document 2 is also considered in order to suppress accumulation of egg contents, dust, and the like on a lighting device located below an egg to be inspected. That is, in the egg inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a shielding plate is provided above the laser so as to prevent the contamination of the laser by the falling object.

In such a shielding plate, if the shielding plate can be enlarged to cover a large area, the contamination of the laser can be surely prevented, but it may become an obstacle when exposing the egg to the laser beam. Conversely, if the shield plate is made smaller, the eggs can be reliably exposed to the laser beam, but the risk of the laser becoming dirty also increases.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to locate the contents or debris of the egg on the irradiation portion which is located below the egg to be examined and which emits light toward the egg. It is providing the inspection apparatus of the egg which can suppress depositing.

The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a holding member, an irradiation unit, an imaging unit, and a determination unit. The holding member holds the egg. The irradiation unit is disposed below the holding member and emits light toward the egg held by the holding member. The imaging unit captures an egg irradiated with light, including light transmitted through the egg. The determination unit determines the surface state of the egg based on the image of the egg captured by the imaging unit. The irradiation unit includes the inclined member and the light emitting member. The light emitting member has a light emitting surface flush with the surface of the inclined member and emits light. The inclined member is inclined in such a manner that the surface of the inclined member is directed toward the egg held by the holding member.

Here, "coplanar" means that there is no step between the two surfaces (the surface of the inclined member and the light emitting surface of the light emitting member) and it is in a flat state, but in addition to a completely flat state. There may be some level differences.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the inspection apparatus of the egg which concerns on this invention, it can suppress that the contents, refuse, etc. of an egg accumulate to the irradiation part located under the egg of test object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the sorting system of eggs to which the test | inspection apparatus of eggs which concerns on embodiment is applied. It is a side view which shows the outline which looked at the inspection apparatus of the egg which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the conveyance direction. In the same embodiment, it is a partial expanded side view of the inspection apparatus of egg. In the same embodiment, it is a partial expanded side view including a partial cross section of the inspection apparatus for eggs. In the same embodiment, it is a top view of the inspection apparatus of egg. In the same embodiment, it is a partial side view for explaining the operation of the egg inspection device. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows typically an example of the image obtained by the inspection apparatus of egg.

Hereinafter, an egg inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used in an egg sorting system for sorting eggs according to physical properties such as egg weight.

As shown in FIG. 1, the egg sorting system 100 includes, for example, an original egg feeding unit 101, a direction aligning unit 102, an egg breaking detection unit 103, an egg washing unit 104, a drying unit 105, and a sorting assembly unit 106. There is. An original egg is supplied to the original egg supply unit 101. In the direction aligning unit 102, the directions of the plurality of supplied eggs E are aligned. The broken egg detection unit 103 mainly detects an egg having a broken eggshell (hereinafter referred to as “broken egg”) among the eggs E whose directions are aligned. An egg inspection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment corresponds to the egg break detection unit 103. In the egg washing unit 104, eggs E other than broken eggs are washed using warm water or the like. In the drying unit 105, the surface of the washed egg E is dried. The sorting and collecting unit 106 detects physical properties of the washed and dried egg E by using known spectral analysis processing technology or sound processing technology, and the cracked egg, the dirty egg, the blood egg, the rotted egg or the minimal egg, the maximum Eggs other than the egg trading standard such as eggs are excluded from the selection targets. In the sorting assembly unit 106, the weight of the egg is measured, and the sorting is performed for each weight category of the agricultural and forestry standard based on the measurement result. For the original egg supply unit 101, the direction alignment unit 102, the egg washing unit 104, the drying unit 105, and the sorting assembly unit 106 except for the broken egg detection unit 103 (egg inspection device 1), various known ones should be applied. Is possible.

Here, the broken egg detection unit 103 (hereinafter referred to as “egg inspection device 1”) is disposed upstream of the egg washing unit 104 that cleans the egg E and the drying unit 105 that dries the egg E. . Hereinafter, the inspection apparatus 1 of the egg which concerns on this embodiment is explained in full detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the egg inspection apparatus 1 includes a first irradiation unit 2 and a second irradiation unit 3 as irradiation units, and a first imaging unit 4 and a second imaging unit 5 as imaging units. And a determination unit 7. In the egg inspection apparatus 1, the egg E transported downstream while being rotated by the transport unit 6 is inspected. The transport unit 6 is mainly formed of a holding member 62 for holding an egg. Here, as the holding member 62, for example, a spring-type roller is applied.

The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 irradiate light to the egg E. In the present embodiment, light is emitted from the lower side of the holding member 62 for holding the egg E. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the paths of light emitted by the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are schematically shown by broken lines. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the first irradiation unit 2 irradiates light from one end E1 side of the egg E to the egg E. The second irradiation unit 3 irradiates light to the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E. The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 irradiate infrared light toward the lower surface side of the egg E. The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are disposed between the holding member 62 and the holding member 62 adjacent to the lower side of the conveyance unit 6, specifically, in the direction (width direction) intersecting the conveyance direction. It is located below.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first irradiation unit 2 includes the inclined member 21 and the light emitting member 22. The second irradiation unit 3 includes the inclined member 31 and the light emitting member 32. The inclined members 21 and 31 are arranged to incline the surface of the inclined members 21 and 31 with respect to the transport surface on which the eggs E are transported and to face the eggs. Specifically, the inclined members 21 and 31 are inclined in such a manner that the surfaces of the inclined members 21 and 31 are directed toward the egg E held by the holding member 62. More specifically, in the adjacent holding member 62 and the holding member 62, from the position corresponding to the end portion (one end portion) side of one holding member 62, the inclined member 21 in the one holding member 62. It inclines in such a manner that it descends toward a position directly below the center C in the direction intersecting the transport direction. The inclined member 31 is a direction intersecting the transport direction of the other holding member 62 from the position corresponding to the end (the other end) side of the other holding member 62 among the adjacent holding members 62 and the holding members 62. It inclines in such a manner that it descends toward a position directly below the center C of the.

The inclined members 21 and 31 are formed using a material that hardly reflects the irradiated light on the surface, and is black. The inclined members 21 and 31 are long, and the inclined members 21 and 31 are disposed along the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit 6 in the long direction. In the inclined member 21 and the inclined member 31 adjacent to each other in the direction crossing the transport direction, the end of the inclined member 21 facing each other and the end of the inclined member 31 are connected so as to form a mountain fold upward . The light emitting members 22, 32 have a light emitting surface flush with the surfaces of the inclined members 21, 31. As the light emitting members 22 and 32, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared light of a wavelength of 750 nm to 850 nm is used. In FIG. 4, the wiring and other members located on the lower surface side of the inclined members 21 and 31 and the light emitting members 22 and 32 are omitted.

A sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an egg E, provided on the upstream side of the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3, emits light by the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 (see FIG. (Not shown). The sensor is disposed above the egg E, and detects the egg E transported from the upstream side by the transport unit 6. When the egg E detected by the sensor is transported to a predetermined position, light is emitted from the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3. Therefore, the 1st irradiation part 2 and the 2nd irradiation part 3 light intermittently.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, in the first irradiation unit 2, the plurality of light emitting members 22 are arranged on the inclined member 21 at intervals. In the second irradiation unit 3, the plurality of light emitting members 32 are disposed on the inclined member 31 at an interval. Specifically, the three first irradiation units 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport direction. The three second irradiation units 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport direction at a position shifted by a half pitch from the first irradiation unit 2. The first irradiation unit 2 is disposed at a position shifted to the one side from the center C in the left-right direction (direction intersecting with the conveyance direction) of each line in the conveyance unit 6 of six lines. The second irradiation unit 3 is disposed at a position deviated from the center C in the left-right direction (direction intersecting the transport direction) of each row to the other side. That is, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are arranged in a zigzag along the transport direction of the egg E.

Note that each of the first irradiation units 2 is set at a position blocked by the egg E placed on the transport unit 6 in an image P captured by the first imaging unit 4 described later. Each of the second irradiation units 3 is set at a position blocked by the egg E placed on the conveyance unit 6 in an image P captured by a second imaging unit 5 described later. In this egg inspection apparatus 1, the imaging unit includes the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5, and the irradiation unit includes the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3. . The first imaging unit 4 captures the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E. The second imaging unit 5 captures the egg E from one end E1 side of the egg E. The first irradiation unit 2 is disposed on an extension of a line connecting the first imaging unit 4 and the egg E (or the opening 63 of the transport unit 6 described later) placed on the transport unit 6. The second irradiation unit 3 is disposed on an extension of a line connecting the second imaging unit 5 and the egg E placed on the conveyance unit 6 (or the opening 63 of the conveyance unit 6 described later) .

Further, in the present embodiment, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are arranged such that the distance between the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 and the holding member 62 can be adjusted. . Specifically, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 can be moved up and down. The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 have a raised position (U) at which light can be irradiated toward a predetermined position of the egg E, and the upper end of the inclined members 21 and 31 is the holding member 62. It is disposed movably between a retracted position (D) located below the lower end.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 photograph the egg E irradiated with light, including the light transmitted through the egg E. The first imaging unit 4 captures the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E. The second imaging unit 5 captures the egg E from one end E1 side of the egg E. The first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are disposed above the conveyance unit 6 and obliquely disposed with respect to the conveyance surface. The first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 can capture the upper surface side of the egg E. In the present embodiment, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera having sensitivity in the near infrared region is used as the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5. Thereby, the image P of the egg E to which the infrared light irradiated including the infrared light which permeate | transmitted the egg E can be acquired. In the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5, three rows of eggs E are set so as to be in the field of view. In the present embodiment, for example, two first imaging units 4 and two second imaging units 5 are arranged. The number is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of an image P obtained by photographing the egg E shown in FIG. 2 by the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5. In the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an image P corresponding to 3 rows × 3 columns of eggs is obtained. Here, for the purpose of explanation, an image of six eggs (one row × six columns) picked up from the image P is shown. In FIG. 7, the images of the whole egg E3, the depressed egg E4, the open cracked egg E5, the feces soiled egg E6, the contents adhering egg E7, and the internal wound / dotted egg egg E8 are schematically shown in order from left. Eggs having a large hole on the surface of the eggshell, such as whole egg E3 and open cracked egg E5, are to be discarded. On the other hand, the depressed egg E4 can be set so as not to be discarded unless the hole is opened. It is set not to discard the feces soiled egg E6, the contents-adhering egg E7 (the egg with egg yolk leaked from other eggs and egg white adhering thereto) and the internal wound / dotted egg E8.

In the determination unit 7, the surface state of the egg E is determined based on the image of the egg E captured by the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5. In addition, the specific aspect of the determination part 7 is not restricted to the aspect demonstrated below, The various image processing method known in this field | area can be applied.

The control unit 9 (see FIG. 2) that controls the egg inspection apparatus 1 is a microcomputer system having a processor, a memory, an input interface, an output interface, and the like. The memory of the control unit 9 stores a predetermined threshold value for comparing the photographed image P of the egg E with the digitized gray value. As the predetermined threshold value, for example, a threshold value for determining "cracking" or "deposition of fecal dirt" etc. can be considered for the image P of the egg irradiated with infrared light.

If the gray value of the photographed image E of the egg E falls within a range smaller (darker) than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the egg does not have "cracks". On the other hand, if there is a portion where the gray value of the image P of the taken egg E is larger (brighter) than a predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the egg has a “break” in that portion. That is, it can be said that the bright region in the image P of the egg E is a portion where the transmission of infrared light is more.

Infrared rays irradiated to the egg penetrate the eggshell and are scattered in the eggshell. When the infrared light scattered in the eggshell passes through the eggshell again, the whole egg E emits infrared radiation like a light emitter. At this time, in the cracked portion of the egg E, the transmission of infrared light is increased as much as the eggshell is broken, as compared with the non-broken portion. For this reason, in the cracked part, the image P of the egg E is displayed brighter than the non-cracked part.

As a specific method for performing image processing on the image P of the egg E, the image P of the egg E may be binarized using a predetermined threshold. As a result, if there is a "crack" in the image P of the egg E, the portion appears as a brighter (white) area than the others. The determination unit 7 may determine that there is a “crack” when there are even a few bright regions, or determines that there is a “break” when the area ratio of the bright region to the determination region exceeds a threshold. May be In addition, if the same process is performed using another threshold value for "stool attachment", that portion appears as a darker (blacker) area than the others.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, in the transport unit 6, the eggs E are transported in a state in which the plurality of eggs E are aligned. The transport unit 6 includes a holding member 62 and a roller shaft 61. The holding member 62 is in the form of a spring. A plurality of holding members 62 are mounted on the roller shaft 61 in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The eggs E are held between the holding members 62 and the holding members 62 adjacent to each other in the transport direction. At this position, an opening 63 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed. The egg E rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the holding member 62. In FIG. 5, the roller shaft and the holding member 62 are indicated by a two-dot chain line.

Next, an example of control of the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 and the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 in the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the presence or absence of the egg E to be examined is detected. Specifically, between the holding member 62 and the holding member 62 adjacent to each other in the transport direction, using a sensor disposed on the upstream side at a predetermined distance from the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 It is detected whether or not the egg E is placed. The signal of the detection result is output.

When it is detected that there is an egg E to be examined, when the egg E is transported to a position just above the first irradiation unit 2, the first irradiation unit 2 is turned on, and infrared light is emitted. Is irradiated toward the egg E. At this time, if the irradiated infrared light directly enters the first imaging unit 4 or the second imaging unit 5, the imaging of the egg E will be impaired. Therefore, it is desirable to set the irradiation position or irradiation timing of the infrared light by the first irradiation unit 2 so that the irradiation can be performed within the appropriate range of the eggshell. The egg E irradiated with the infrared light is photographed by the first imaging unit 4 in accordance with the irradiation of the infrared light. At this time, the second irradiation unit 3 is turned off.

Thereafter, when the egg E is transported to a position immediately above the second irradiation unit 3 by the transportation unit 6, the second irradiation unit 3 is turned on, and infrared light is irradiated toward the egg E Be done. At the same time as the irradiation of the infrared light, the second imaging unit 5 captures the egg E irradiated with the infrared light. At this time, the first irradiation unit 2 is turned off.

That is, in the egg inspection apparatus 1, the first imaging unit 4 emits infrared light from the first irradiation unit 2 to the egg E, and the second irradiation unit 3 directs the egg E When the infrared light is not irradiated, the egg E is photographed from the other end E2 side of the egg E. On the other hand, in the second imaging unit 5, infrared light is not irradiated from the first irradiation unit 2 toward the egg E, and infrared light from the second irradiation unit 3 toward the egg E Is photographed, the egg E is photographed from one end E1 side of the egg E.

In these steps, the first imaging unit 4 performs imaging three times for one egg E moving while rotating, and the second imaging unit 5 performs imaging three times. Therefore, for one egg E, photographing is repeated a total of six times. This makes it possible to inspect the surface condition all around the egg E.

As described above, the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first irradiation unit 2, the second irradiation unit 3, the first imaging unit 4, the second imaging unit 5, the determination unit 7, and the like. Is equipped. The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 irradiate light toward the egg E from the lower side of the holding member 62 holding the egg E. The first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 photograph the egg E irradiated with light, including the light transmitted through the egg E. The determination unit 7 determines the surface state of the egg E based on the image of the egg E captured by the first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5. The first irradiation unit 2 includes an inclined member 21 and a light emitting member 22.

From the position corresponding to the end (one end) side of one holding member 62 of the holding member 62 and the holding member 62 adjacent to each other in the direction intersecting the transport direction, the inclined member 21 is one holding member 62. It inclines in the aspect which descend | falls toward the position directly under the center C of the direction which cross | intersects the conveyance direction in. The light emitting member 22 has a light emitting surface flush with the surface of the inclined member 21. The second irradiation unit 3 includes the inclined member 31 and the light emitting member 32. From the position corresponding to the end (other end) side of the other holding member 62 of the holding member 62 and the holding member 62 adjacent to each other in the direction intersecting the transport direction, the inclined member 31 is the other holding member 62. It inclines in the aspect which descend | falls toward the position directly under the center C of the direction which cross | intersects the conveyance direction in. The light emitting member 32 has a light emitting surface flush with the surface of the inclined member 31.

Thereby, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of egg contents, dust, and the like on each of the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 located below the transported egg E. For example, when the egg E transported by the holding member 62 is broken, it is assumed that contents (eg, egg white and / or egg yolk) leak from the broken egg E. Even if the leaked contents fall on the inclined members 21 and 31, the contents fall downward along the inclined members 21 and 31 by gravity. Therefore, the contents do not stay on the light emitting members 22 and 32 for a long time, and the examination of the egg E can be continued smoothly.

Further, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are arranged to irradiate light to the lower surface of the egg E held by the holding member 62 from an oblique direction. Thereby, compared with the case where light is irradiated toward the egg E from the position directly below the egg E, the first irradiation portion 2 or the second of the reflected light reflected on the surface of the holding member 62 or the egg E The component of the light returned to the irradiation unit 3 can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to inspect the egg E more accurately. Furthermore, since the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are not disposed immediately below the center C of the conveyance unit 6 in the direction intersecting with the conveyance direction, the irradiated light is reflected to the holding member 62 side It is possible to prevent the contents or dust from scattering toward the holding member 62.

In the first irradiation unit 2, a plurality of light emitting members 22 are arranged in a line at intervals with a single inclined member 21. In the second irradiation unit 3, a plurality of light emitting members 32 are arranged in a line at intervals with a single inclined member 31. Thereby, it is easy to arrange the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 corresponding to the transport units 6 arranged in a row. Further, the light emitting member 22 is disposed on the inclined member 21 so that the light emitting surfaces of the plurality of light emitting members 22 and the surface of the inclined member 21 are flush with each other. The light emitting members 32 are disposed on the inclined member 31 such that the light emitting surfaces of the plurality of light emitting members 32 and the surface of the inclined member 31 are flush with each other. As a result, there is also an effect that it is easy to clean when the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting members 22 and 32 become dirty, as compared with the case where only the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting members 22 and 32 are independently disposed.

The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 can be moved up and down, and a rising position (U) at which light can be irradiated toward a predetermined position of the egg E, and the inclined members 21 and 31 The upper end of the movable member 62 is disposed movably between a retracted position (D) located below the lower end of the holding member 62. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the light emission surface of the 1st irradiation part 2 and the 2nd irradiation part 3 can be closely approached to the egg E as much as possible in the raising position (U). Further, as shown in FIG. 5 or 6, in the retracted position (D), the direction in which the roller shaft 61 extends (the direction intersecting the transport direction) of the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 The first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 do not interfere with the holding member 62 even when the sliding movement is performed. For this reason, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are pulled out from the lower side of the holding member 62 to facilitate maintenance work such as inspection and cleaning of the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 Can be done.

Furthermore, the first irradiation unit 2 irradiates light from one end E1 side of the egg E toward the egg E. The second irradiation unit 3 irradiates light to the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E. When the first imaging unit 4 irradiates light from the first irradiation unit 2 to the egg E, the first imaging unit 4 images the egg E from the other end E2 side of the egg E. The second imaging unit 5 photographs the egg E from one end E1 side of the egg E while irradiating light from the second irradiation unit 3 to the egg E.

Thereby, it is possible to inspect whether or not a defect such as a crack, a crack, or an adhesion of dirt is present on the surface on the sharp end side or the blunt end side of the egg E. In particular, the egg E is conveyed by the holding member 62 while being rotated about the long axis of the egg E, and is inspected one after another all around the egg E. In the first imaging unit 4, an area from the other end E2 of the egg E to the periphery of the egg E is photographed. Further, in the second imaging unit 5, an area from one end E1 of the egg E to the periphery of the torso of the egg E is photographed. For this reason, it is possible to inspect also about a crack etc. near the waist circumference of egg E. In this way, it is possible to confirm by automation the portion that has conventionally been visually confirmed by hand about leaked eggs etc. in which egg content has conventionally leaked from broken portions or broken portions of eggshells. It will also be possible to reduce costs.

In the egg inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in particular, the first irradiation unit 2 is disposed on the end E1 side of the egg E. The first imaging unit 4 is disposed on the end E2 side opposite to the end E1 side of the egg E. The egg E is positioned on a line connecting the first imaging unit 4 and the first irradiation unit 2. In this arrangement, when the first imaging unit 4 captures an image of the egg E irradiated with light by the first irradiation unit 2, the first irradiation of the light irradiated from the first irradiation unit 2 is performed. The component of light traveling from the unit 2 toward the first imaging unit 4 is blocked by the egg E. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the first irradiation unit 2 from directly entering the first imaging unit 4. Thereby, it can suppress that the light irradiated from the 1st irradiation part 2 directly enters into the 1st imaging part 4, and the detection of the crack of the egg E, etc. can be performed appropriately.

Moreover, the 2nd irradiation part 3 is arrange | positioned at the edge part E2 side of the egg E. As shown in FIG. The second imaging unit 5 is disposed on the end E1 side opposite to the end E2 side of the egg E. The egg E is positioned on a line connecting the second imaging unit 5 and the second irradiation unit 3. By this arrangement, when the second imaging unit 5 photographs the egg E irradiated with light by the second irradiation unit 3, the second irradiation of the light irradiated from the second irradiation unit 3 The component of light traveling from the unit 3 toward the second imaging unit 5 is blocked by the egg E. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the second irradiation unit 3 from directly entering the second imaging unit 5. Thereby, it can suppress that the light irradiated from the 2nd irradiation part 3 directly enters into the 2nd imaging part 5, and detection of the crack of the egg E, etc. can be performed appropriately.

Further, in the egg sorting system 100, the egg inspection device 1 is disposed on the upstream side of the egg washing unit 104 and the drying unit 105 as a broken egg detection unit 103 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, broken eggs or leaked eggs can be sorted out before being transported to the egg washing unit 104 or the drying unit 105. As a result, it is possible to prevent in advance the contamination or the like of the egg washing unit 104 or the drying unit 105 due to broken eggs or the like, and it is also possible to save time for cleaning.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
The egg inspection apparatus 1 may be applied to inspections other than inspection for whether or not the egg is broken. Also, the egg inspection apparatus may be placed at an appropriate position in the egg sorting system 100 (see FIG. 1) as needed. That is, not only when the egg inspection apparatus 1 is disposed upstream of the egg washing unit 104, for example, the egg inspection apparatus 1 is disposed downstream of the egg washing unit 104 and upstream of the drying unit 105 You may In addition, the egg inspection apparatus 1 may be disposed downstream of the drying unit 105.

With regard to the egg sorting system 100 as well, the portions other than the egg inspection device 1 as the egg-break detecting unit 103 can be variously modified as necessary. Moreover, you may apply the test | inspection apparatus 1 of eggs to the sorting system of the eggs which are not equipped with the egg washing part and the drying part.

Various changes can be made as long as predetermined light can be irradiated to the egg as the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3. For example, an irradiation unit that irradiates light passing through an egg is preferable, and specifically, an irradiation unit that irradiates light including a component of visible light to infrared light is preferable. As infrared light, for example, near infrared light having a wavelength of about 750 nm to 1500 nm is preferable, and in the range of the wavelength, near infrared light having a wavelength of about 780 nm to 870 nm is more preferable. In the case of infrared light having a wavelength shorter than 780 nm, the eggshell color makes it difficult for the egg to receive light, and hence less light is transmitted through the egg, which may result in deterioration of the egg contrast with the background. On the other hand, with infrared light whose wavelength is longer than 870 nm, the infrared light is absorbed by the water contained in the egg yolk and egg white, and the light transmitted through the egg also decreases, so the egg contrast with the background may be degraded. is there. In addition, as the irradiation unit, an irradiation unit provided with a lens that refracts and focuses light may be used. Furthermore, an illumination unit provided with a stop or the like for limiting the angle of light spread may be used.

The holding member 62 of the conveyance unit 6 is not limited to the above-described roller, and various carriers known in the field can be applied. Moreover, as the conveyance part 6, it is not restricted to the conveyance part which conveys, rotating an egg. Furthermore, it is not restricted to the conveyance part which arranges the long axis of an egg in the direction which intersects the conveyance direction, and conveys an egg. Further, the number of rows of the transport unit 6 is not limited to six.

The number of the first irradiation units 2 or the second irradiation units 3 is not limited to the illustrated number, but may be various according to the holding form of the egg E in the holding member 62 or the number of conveyance rows in the conveyance unit 6 It is possible to change. For example, when the eggs E are transported in a single row, the inclined members may be disposed on one end side and the other end side of the eggs E, respectively. In addition, the number of light emitting members disposed in one inclined member may be only one.

The inclined members 21 and 31 may be block-shaped or plate-shaped. In addition, adjacent irradiation units may be integrally formed. Furthermore, it is possible to change variously the angle which makes the slope which is the surface of slope members 21 and 31 incline to a conveyance side, and the shape of an slope member in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of the present invention.

Although the case where the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are arranged to be able to move up and down has been described, the first irradiation unit 2 and the second irradiation unit 3 are at predetermined positions so that they can not move up and down. It may be fixed.

Moreover, although the case where the 1st irradiation part 2 and the 2nd irradiation part 3 were arrange | positioned along the conveyance direction was demonstrated, the 1st irradiation part 2 and the 2nd irradiation part 3 have a conveyance direction, and It may be disposed along the intersecting direction. Furthermore, if the imaging by the first imaging unit 4 and the imaging by the second imaging unit 5 do not overlap in timing, the timing at which the first irradiation unit 2 is lit, and the second irradiation unit 3 The timing of lighting may be partially overlapping. In addition, all of the first irradiation units 2 may be lit at the same timing. Furthermore, the first irradiation unit 2 may be divided into a plurality of groups, and the timing may be shifted and lighted for each group.

The first imaging unit 4 and the second imaging unit 5 are not limited to the examples described above as long as they can capture an image of an egg. Moreover, although the image P (refer FIG. 7) of the egg E image | photographed by the 1st imaging part 4 and the 2nd imaging part 5 was shown in figure typically, illustration is only an example.

The determination unit 7 may determine the state of the surface of the egg based on the lightness difference (contrast) of the captured image of the egg. For example, if there is a portion (edge) where the brightness is greatly changed in the image of the egg, it can be determined that the portion has "cracks" or "stool attachment". Note that before performing edge detection, the image may be subjected to preprocessing well known in the art.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example and is not limited thereto. The present invention is not the scope described above, is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

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

1 egg inspection apparatus, 2 first irradiation unit, 3 second irradiation unit, 4 first imaging unit, 5 second imaging unit, 6 conveyance unit, 7 judgment unit, 9 control unit, 61 roller shaft, 62 holding member, 63 openings, 100 egg sorting system, 101 original egg feeding section, 102 direction aligning section, 103 broken egg detecting section, 104 egg washing section, 105 drying section, 106 sorting assembly section, P image, E egg .

Claims (3)

A holding member for holding an egg;
An irradiation unit disposed below the holding member and emitting light toward the egg held by the holding member;
An imaging unit that captures the egg irradiated with the light, including the light transmitted through the egg;
And a determination unit that determines the surface state of the egg based on the image of the egg captured by the imaging unit.
The irradiation unit is
An inclined member,
And a light emitting member that has a light emitting surface that is flush with the surface of the inclined member and that emits the light.
The apparatus for inspecting an egg, wherein the inclined member is inclined in such a manner that the surface of the inclined member is directed toward the egg held by the holding member. In the said irradiation part, the inspection apparatus of the egg of Claim 1 by which multiple said light emission members are arrange | positioned at the said inclination member. The irradiator moves up and down between a first position for irradiating the light toward the egg and a second position lower than the first position, the inclined member being lower than the lower end of the holding member. The egg inspection device according to claim 1, which is arranged as possible.

Images