JP6282086B2 - Evaluation apparatus for bulb vegetables and evaluation method for bulb vegetables - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus and an evaluation of fruit and vegetables for optically and nondestructively evaluating (measuring) the internal quality of fruits and vegetables such as sugar content, acidity, and maturity. Regarding the method.

Conventionally, various techniques for measuring the internal quality of fruits and vegetables such as fruits and vegetables such as sugar content, acidity and ripeness from the outside without destroying the fruits and vegetables have been proposed.
As a method for nondestructively measuring the internal quality of such fruits and vegetables, there is a method of irradiating fruits and vegetables with near infrared light, and a method using transmitted light has been proposed.

  As an evaluation method using transmitted light, for example, there is a method of measuring and evaluating the internal quality by transmitting the irradiation measurement light into the pulp and emitting it from the opposite side, and receiving and analyzing the transmitted light at the light receiving unit. This method using transmitted light has the advantage that the properties of the pulp can be accurately evaluated because the light transmitted through the pulp of the fruits and vegetables is analyzed (see Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.).

By the way, as described above, a fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 14 has been used as a transmitted light type evaluation apparatus using transmitted light.
In other words, in the fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus 100, one of the transport lines 102 in the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface) of the transport line 102 composed of a piano keyboard-like PK conveyor or the like. A light source 104 is arranged on the side of the. In the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport line 102, the light receiving unit 106 is disposed on the other side of the transport line 102.

  In such an evaluation apparatus 100, the measurement light emitted from the light source 104 is transmitted through the flesh of the fruits and vegetables 108 and emitted from the opposite side, and this transmitted light is received by the light receiving unit 106, and is not separately illustrated. The internal quality is measured and evaluated by analyzing with an apparatus.

  Note that the transfer line 102 formed of a piano keyboard-like conveyor or the like has its mounting surface 102a inclined in a tapered shape so that, for example, the substantially spherical fruits and vegetables 108 can be transferred one by one without rolling. Is formed.

  When the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 108 such as onions is evaluated on the transport line 102, the fruits and vegetables 108 are transported in various postures. Therefore, the posture of the fruits and vegetables 108 at the time of measurement is not uniform.

  In such an evaluation apparatus 100, for example, when the internal quality (for example, spoilage) of the fruits and vegetables 108 such as onions is measured with transmitted light, the internal quality depends on the posture of the fruits and vegetables 108 on the transport line 102. May not be measured accurately.

It seems that the error occurs in the measurement for the following reasons.
That is, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A, the onion is formed of an aggregate of thick scaly leaves called phosphorus leaves. When such rot leaves are partially rotted, the rot generally spreads over the entire phosphor leaf. For example, as shown in FIG. In the case of an onion in which a rotten portion 111 appears, a single phosphorus leaf containing the rotten portion is often rotten.

  In addition, since the onion has stems 112 and roots 113 growing on the upper and lower shaft core parts, when the fruits and vegetables 108 are onions, they rot on a part of the stems 112 and the roots 113 or both. May have occurred. Therefore, in the case of fruits and vegetables with stems 112 and roots 113, the measurement of internal rot may be affected.

Further, the shape of the onion may be a substantially spherical shape or a flat spherical shape, and the diameter may vary.
Therefore, it has phosphorus leaves like onions, has stems 112 and roots 113, has a substantially spherical or flat shape, and the measurement posture of the individual is not always constant. Is evaluated by the transmitted light type evaluation apparatus 100. When the light source 104 and the light receiving unit 106 are connected as shown in FIG. 14 and the fruits and vegetables 108 are arranged vertically as shown in FIG. Compared with the case where they are arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 15 (c), even in the same fruits and vegetables 108, the spectrum of transmitted light for measuring decay does not match depending on the posture, and the measurement error is reduced. It will occur.

Actually, onions having different sizes were prepared, and the postures of these onions were changed variously, and an analysis was performed by the evaluation apparatus 100 to determine whether a measurement error occurred in the internal quality evaluation.
FIG. 16 shows the internal quality of rotting for four normal fruits and vegetables 108 using the evaluation apparatus 100 of FIG. 14 in which the light source 104 and the light receiving unit 106 are arranged on a straight line (β = 180 °). This is the result of analysis. The fruits and vegetables (onions) 108 of sample A to sample D used in the experiment are normal products that do not rot inside. The sizes of the samples A to D are as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 shows how the four fruits and vegetables 108 (onions), which are normal products, change in the calculated decay value by changing the inclination posture.
In the experiment, the postures of the onions of Sample A to Sample D were changed by 30 °, and started from an upward posture of 0 ° to 30 °, 60 °, 90 °, 120 °, and 150 °.

  And the light absorbency was calculated from the transmitted light spectrum which permeate | transmitted each sample A-D, and the decaying calculated value was computed with the analytical curve type which can estimate the decaying degree.

In FIG. 16, the horizontal axis indicates the inclination angle of the fruits and vegetables 108 (onions) when the upward posture of FIG. 15A is used as a reference. For example, 30 ° is the posture of FIG. 15B. 90 ° corresponds to the posture of FIG. 15 (c).
In FIG. 16, the vertical axis indicates the calculated decay value. In the experiment of this specification, when the calculated decay value is greater than 1, it is determined that the image is corrupt.

From this graph, it is possible to predict the tendency of how the inclination of the posture during measurement affects the result of the internal quality measurement.
In this experiment, in FIG. 14, the absorbance was calculated from the transmitted light spectrum output in the light receiving wavelength range of 500 to 1000 nm among the measurement light irradiated from the light source 104 and received by the light receiving unit 106. Next, a calculated decay value was calculated from the calculated absorbance using a calibration curve formula for predicting decay, and the value was shown in a graph.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, when the light source 104 and the light receiving unit 106 are arranged on a straight line, the measurement posture of the fruits and vegetables 108 has a 90 ° inclination, and the measurement posture has a 120 ° inclination. In this case, the calculated decay value exceeded 1. As described above, when the light source 104 and the light receiving unit 106 are arranged on a straight line, an onion that is normally a normal product is erroneously detected as being rotten.

  As can be seen from the results of this experiment, it was found that when the light source 104 and the light receiving unit 106 are arranged on a straight line, the posture of the fruits and vegetables 108 greatly affects the measurement of decay.

Registered Utility Model No. 3049026 JP 2002-139442 A

In view of such circumstances, onions and even bulb vegetables, such as shallots, improved accuracy of the measurement evaluation, evaluation of contributing bulb vegetable such that accurate measurement evaluation device And it aims at providing the evaluation method of bulb vegetables .

The present invention has been made to achieve the above object,
The apparatus for evaluating bulbous vegetables according to the present invention is as follows.
A bulb vegetable that evaluates the internal quality of fruits and vegetables by irradiating measurement light from a light source to the bulb vegetable conveyed on the conveyance line, and receiving light transmitted through the bulb vegetable at the light receiving portion. A kind of evaluation device,
At least two of the light sources are arranged;
An angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source is 100 ° ≦ β ≦ 170 °.

Moreover, the method for evaluating the bulb vegetables according to the present invention is as follows:
A bulb vegetable that evaluates the internal quality of fruits and vegetables by irradiating measurement light from a light source to the bulb vegetable conveyed on the conveyance line, and receiving light transmitted through the bulb vegetable at the light receiving portion. An evaluation method of a kind,
At least two of the light sources are arranged;
The light receiving unit is disposed at a position inclined with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source.

By comprising in this way, for example, a bulbous vegetable having directionality inside like an onion apple leaf and having a structure such as roots and stems at the top and bottom, and further varying in shape and size Even so, the accuracy of measurement evaluation is greatly improved, and accurate measurement evaluation can be performed.

Moreover, the measurement accuracy can be further improved by providing a plurality of light sources.
In the present invention, between the light source and the light receiving unit, light other than the transmitted light that passes through the bulbous vegetables is shielded so that light other than the transmitted light that transmits through the bulbous vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit. It is preferable that a light shielding plate is provided.

If it is such a structure, only the transmitted light which permeate | transmits bulb vegetables will be received by the light-receiving part. Therefore, the reflected light that reflects the bulb vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit, and the accuracy of the measurement evaluation is further improved, so that accurate measurement evaluation can be performed.

In the present invention, either one of the light source or the light receiving unit is disposed on one side with respect to the transport direction X of the transport line,
It is preferable that either one of the light source or the light receiving unit is disposed upward with respect to the transport line .
In the present invention, it is preferable that an angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to the optical axis in the incident direction of the measurement light from the light source is 110 ° ≦ β ≦ 150 °.

According to the present invention, since the light receiving unit is disposed at a position inclined with respect to the optical axis in the incident direction of the measurement light from the light source, the bulb vegetables such as onions have been conveyed in any posture. However, it is possible to improve the accuracy of measurement evaluation and perform accurate measurement evaluation.

Further, according to the present invention, the light shielding plate disposed between the light source and the light receiving unit, direct light or from the light source, the reflected light from the bulb vegetables such, bulbs, such as reflected light from the adjacent bulbs vegetables such Since light other than the transmitted light that passes through the bulbous vegetables from the periphery of the vegetables is shielded, light other than the transmitted light that transmits through the bulbous vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit, so that the accuracy of measurement evaluation is further improved. It is possible to improve and perform accurate measurement evaluation.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of a third embodiment of the fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the light shielding plate shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows, in order to examine the effect of the present invention, when four samples (onions) of normal products (not rotted) are used and irradiated with an inclination angle of β = 170 ° from the light source to the light receiving part. It is the graph which investigated how corruption calculation value changed with the attitude of a kind. As in FIG. 7, in order to investigate the effect of the present invention, FIG. 8 uses four samples (onions) of normal products (no rot), and the inclination angle from the light source to the light receiving unit is β = 150 °, This graph shows how the calculated decay value changes depending on the attitude of fruits and vegetables when measured light is emitted from the light source. 9 is similar to FIG. 7, in order to investigate the effect of the present invention, using normal samples (no rot) of four samples (onions), the inclination angle from the light source to the light receiving part is β = 120 °, It is the graph which examined how the decaying calculated value changed with the posture of fruits and vegetables when measuring light was irradiated from a light source. As in FIG. 7, in order to investigate the effect of the present invention, FIG. 10 uses four samples (onions) of normal products (no rot), and the inclination angle from the light source to the light receiving unit is β = 100 °, It is the graph which examined how the decaying calculated value changed with the posture of fruits and vegetables when measuring light was irradiated from a light source. FIG. 11 shows, in order to examine the effect of the present invention, when four samples of spoiled products (onions) are used, and the angle of inclination from the light source to the light receiving unit is β = 110 ° and the measurement light is irradiated from the light source. It is the graph which investigated how the calculation value of corruption changes with the attitude of a kind. FIG. 12 is a list showing the shapes and the like of four samples of spoiled products used in the experiment of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus when a plurality of light sources 22 are provided. FIG. 14 is a front view of a conventional transmitted light type fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of an onion as an example of fruits and vegetables with the stem facing upward, and FIG. 15B is a stem portion inclined by 30 ° with reference to FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C is a front view showing the posture during measurement of an onion in which the stem portion is inclined by 90 ° with reference to FIG. 15A. FIG. 16 is a graph of experimental results by a conventional evaluation apparatus, using four samples (onions) of normal products (no rot), the inclination angle from the light source to the light receiving unit is β = 180 °, and from the light source It is the graph which investigated how the decay calculation value changed with the posture of fruits and vegetables when it irradiated. FIG. 17 is a list showing the shapes and the like of four normal samples used in the experiment of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
In addition, in this specification, the fruits and vegetables to be evaluated are bulbs having an orientation inside such as onions and raccoons, having a structure of roots and stems, and having variations in shape and size. In vegetables and citrus fruits, there are things that change the permeation performance such as the hollow of the core part, and those that are close to true spheres.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “evaluation apparatus”) according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the evaluation apparatus 10, the transport line 12 is configured by, for example, a piano keyboard-like conveyor 14 (PK conveyor 14). And on the upper surface of the PK conveyor 14, it has the taper surface 14a inclined in the outward direction. On this taper surface 14a, for example, fruits and vegetables 16 such as an onion to be evaluated are placed, One by one is conveyed at predetermined intervals in the conveyance direction X.

In the middle of the transport line 12, an evaluation device unit 18 is provided. In the evaluation device unit 18, a frame 20 is provided so as to surround the transport line 12.
A light source 22 is disposed on one side of the transport line 12 in the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction X of the transport line 12.
As the light source 22, a halogen lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a phosphor, or the like can be used as appropriate.

In addition, in the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction X of the transport line 12, the light receiving unit 24 is disposed on the other side of the transport line 12.
As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 22 is disposed at a position inclined by a predetermined angle, and the optical axis may not be horizontal.

That is, the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 are not disposed on the same straight line but are disposed at a relatively inclined position.
When the angle formed by the light receiving unit 24 with respect to the optical axis of the measurement light of the light source 22 is β,
The range of 100 ° ≦ β ≦ 170 °,
In particular, the β is
It is set in the range of 110 ° ≦ β ≦ 150 °.

  If the angle β between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 is set in such a range, the light receiving unit 24 receives the transmitted light that has been irradiated from the light source 22 toward the fruits and vegetables 16 and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 16. Then, the internal quality (for example, rot) of the fruits and vegetables 16 can be evaluated by analyzing it with an analysis device (not shown).

  Here, out of the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 24, for example, the absorbance is calculated from the transmitted light spectrum output in the light receiving wavelength range of 500 to 1000 nm, and the calculated decay value suitable for the analysis can be obtained from the absorbance.

  Further, it is preferable that the light receiving unit 24 is fixed to the frame 20 as shown in FIG. 2 and the light source 22 is movably disposed so as to have an inclination angle β. However, the light source 22 can be fixed to the frame 20 or the like, and the light receiving unit 24 can be movably disposed.

  Furthermore, the relative tilted positional relationship between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 is not limited to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the light source 22 may be disposed obliquely forward by γ with respect to the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction X of the transport line 12. Even in this case, the light source 22 is disposed to be inclined upward by β from the light receiving unit 24 as shown in FIG.

Thus, the relative tilted positional relationship between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 can take various forms.
Moreover, the arrangement position of the light source 22 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to the type and size of the fruits and vegetables 16.

  Furthermore, if the inclination angle β in FIG. 2 can be maintained between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24, a plurality of sets of the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 can be provided. Alternatively, a plurality of light receiving portions 24 can be provided for one light source 22 within an inclination angle of β. Alternatively, a single light receiving unit 24 may be provided for the plurality of light sources 22 as long as the angle is within the inclination angle β.

  With such a setting, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the measurement light (near infrared light) emitted from the light source 22 passes through the pulp of the fruits and vegetables 16 and is emitted from the opposite side. Then, the transmitted light is received by the light receiving unit 24 at a relatively inclined position and analyzed by an analysis device (not shown), which is effective in measuring and evaluating internal quality, particularly internal rot. Is.

  That is, the transmitted light emitted from the fruits and vegetables 16 has different absorption spectra depending on the fruits and vegetables, so that the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables such as rot, sugar content, acidity, and maturity is measured and input to the analyzer in advance. The internal quality of fruits and vegetables can be evaluated by comparing with the obtained data.

  According to the present invention, the angle β formed by the light source 22 in the width direction Y perpendicular to the transport direction X of the transport line 12 and the optical axis in the measurement light incident direction is in the range of 100 ° ≦ β ≦ 170 °. If so, the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables can be accurately measured.

  In addition, by relatively tilting the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 in this manner, for example, when the fruits and vegetables 16 are the onions 108, the measurement light from the light source 22 passes through the stem 112 and the root 113. Can be avoided.

Further, whatever the posture of the fruits and vegetables 16, the transmitted light passes through the rotten portion 111 of the phosphorus leaf, so that rotting is not missed.
Further, when the measurement light is projected from the light source 22, it is preferable to adjust the amount of light according to the transmittance and size depending on the type of fruits and vegetables 16.

4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the fruit and vegetable evaluation apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the light shielding plate. .
The evaluation apparatus 10 of this embodiment has basically the same configuration as the evaluation apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.

  In the evaluation apparatus 10 of this embodiment, between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24, the fruits and vegetables are prevented from being received by the light receiving unit 24 above the transport line 12 except for the light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 16. A light shielding plate 30 for shielding light other than the transmitted light that passes through the class 16 is provided.

  The light shielding plate 30 includes a plurality of light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d that are arranged in parallel with the conveyance direction X of the conveyance line 12 and arranged in parallel with a certain distance apart in the width direction Y of the conveyance line 12. Yes.

  That is, in this embodiment, four light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d are arranged above the transport line 12 in parallel with a predetermined distance from the light source 22 side in the width direction Y of the transport line 12. Therefore, the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 are arranged on a straight line.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the lengths of the light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d are configured to have the lower end portions 33 a to 33 d along the outer shape of the fruits and vegetables 16. .

  In addition, in order not to damage the fruits and vegetables 16 conveyed by the conveyance line 12 by the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d, the lower end portions 33a to 33d of the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d. It is desirable that the position of the fruit and vegetables 16 is a length along the outline of the fruits and vegetables 16 or slightly longer than the outline of the fruits and vegetables 16.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, slits 34a to 34d for irradiating the fruits and vegetables with the measurement light from the light source 22 are formed in these light shielding plate members 32a to 32d.

  The width L of the slits 34a to 34d is appropriately set according to the size of the fruits and vegetables 16 and the amount of measurement light projected from the light source 22, and is not particularly limited. .

  With this configuration, the plurality of light shielding plate members 32a to 32d allow direct light from the light source 22, reflected light from the fruits and vegetables 16, reflected light from the adjacent fruits and vegetables 16, and the like from the periphery of the fruits and vegetables. A light shielding plate in which light other than the transmitted light that passes through the fruits and vegetables 16 is arranged in parallel to the direction of the conveyance direction X of the conveyance line 12 and is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the width direction Y of the conveyance line 12 The members 32a to 32d are efficiently shielded from light.

Accordingly, since light other than the transmitted light that passes through the fruits and vegetables 16 is not received by the light receiving unit, the accuracy of measurement evaluation is further improved, and accurate measurement evaluation can be performed.
In addition, since the lengths of the light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d are the lengths having the lower end portions 33 a to 33 d along the outer shape of the fruits and vegetables 16, the lengths of the light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d are along the outer shape of the fruits and vegetables 16 in the transport direction X of the transport line 12. The tunnel-shaped fruit and vegetables passage route is formed, and the fruit and vegetables 16 conveyed on the conveying line are not damaged by the light shielding plate member. In addition, the light-shielding plate members 32a to 32d can improve the accuracy of measurement evaluation without affecting the position and posture of the fruits and vegetables 16 on the transport line 12, and perform accurate measurement evaluation.

  Further, between the lower end portions 33 a to 33 d of the light shielding plate members 32 a to 32 d and the fruits and vegetables 16, direct light from the light source 22, reflected light from the fruits and vegetables 16, reflected light from the adjacent fruits and vegetables 16, and the like. Since light other than the transmitted light that passes through the fruits and vegetables 16 from the periphery of the fruits and vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit, the accuracy of measurement evaluation is further improved, and accurate measurement evaluation can be performed.

  Furthermore, since the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d are formed with slits 34a to 34d for irradiating the fruits and vegetables with the measurement light from the light source 22, the measurement light from the light source 22 is applied to the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d. The fruits and vegetables 16 can be irradiated through the slits 34a to 34d formed in the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d without being shielded, and the transmitted light that has passed through the fruits and vegetables 16 is efficiently received by the light receiving unit. Therefore, the accuracy of measurement evaluation is further improved, and accurate measurement evaluation can be performed.

  The light shielding plate members 32a to 32d are provided so as not to damage the fruits and vegetables 16 that are transported on the transport line 12, and the positions of the fruits and vegetables 16 on the transport line 12 and soft materials. Thus, it is only necessary to use a material that can block the measurement light emitted from the light source 22 and is not particularly limited. For example, rubber, cloth, synthetic resin film, and the like can be used. Further, although not shown, the light shielding plate members 32a to 32d can be formed of, for example, a saddle shape.

Further, according to the type and size of the fruits and vegetables 16, the light shielding plate 30 may be configured to be movable up and down by a driving mechanism such as a servo motor (not shown). By configuring in this way, even for the fruits and vegetables 16 having different sizes, the light shielding plate 30 can efficiently shield light other than the transmitted light that passes through the fruits and vegetables. It is possible to improve and perform accurate measurement evaluation.
In addition, a cylindrical body can be provided for light shielding, and the measurement light from the light source can be guided to fruits and vegetables through the cylindrical body, or the transmitted light can be guided to the light receiving section through the cylindrical body.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement and shape of the light shielding plate member of the light shielding plate are not limited to those of the above embodiment. In addition, any shape or arrangement that can shield light other than transmitted light so as not to enter the light receiving portion may be used, and various shapes and arrangements can be applied. It can be changed.

For example, the light shielding plate may be a cylinder instead of a plate. When a cylindrical light-shielding member is employed, it is preferable to dispose both between the light source and the fruits and vegetables, and between the fruits and vegetables and the light receiving unit.
Even when such a cylindrical light shielding member is provided, it is possible to prevent light other than measurement light or light other than transmitted light from affecting the measurement of internal quality.

[Example 1]
A normal onion with no internal decay was examined. The results are shown in FIGS.
7 to 10, the vertical axis represents the calculated decay value. When the calculated decay value is greater than 1, it indicates that the image is corrupt. Moreover, in FIGS. 7-10, a horizontal axis is an angle which shows the inclination attitude | position of fruits and vegetables.

That is, in this experiment, with respect to normal onions, the inclination angle of the light source 22 with respect to the light receiving unit 24 and the measurement posture of the fruits and vegetables are changed, and how these changes affect the calculated decay value. Examined.
First, four normal onions having different sizes and shapes were prepared, and these were designated Sample A to Sample D. The method of the experiment is the same as when obtaining the data of FIG.

In the sample A, the sample A is irradiated with the measurement light from the light source 22 on the transport line 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the inclined posture upward as shown in FIG. Received light.
Next, the posture of the sample A was tilted by 30 ° in the clockwise direction, the measurement light was similarly emitted from the light source 22, and the transmitted light was received by the light receiving unit 24.

Further, the posture of the sample A was tilted by 60 ° clockwise, the measurement light was emitted from the light source 22, and the transmitted light was received by the light receiving unit 24.
The experiment was performed by inclining this operation by 30 ° for one sample A until the inclination angle reached 150 °.
Sample B, sample C, and sample D were also performed in the same manner as sample A.

  In the analysis, the absorbance is calculated from the transmitted light spectrum output in the wavelength range of 500 to 1000 nm among the light received by the light receiving unit, and the calculated decay value is calculated from the absorbance using a calibration curve formula for predicting corruption. Shown in the graph.

  As in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the relationship between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 is inclined such that β = 170 °, β = 150 °, β = 120 °, and β = 100 °. In addition, it was measured that the internal quality was normal whatever the inclination of the fruits and vegetables 16 was.

From these results, it was possible to correctly evaluate all of the normal samples A to D as normal products.
Moreover, it has been confirmed that the posture of the fruits and vegetables 16 has little influence on the evaluation of the internal quality regardless of the posture.

[Example 2]
Next, the onions that were rotted inside were also examined.
In other words, in this experiment, the light source and the light receiving unit were relatively inclined, and in this relationship, it was examined how to correctly evaluate fruits and vegetables with rot inside.
The results are shown in FIG.

Here, four onions with different sizes and shapes were prepared, and these were designated as samples 1 to 4. The sizes and the like of samples 1 to 4 are as shown in FIG.
In addition, when the number of rotted leaves is less than 1, it is calculated from the ratio of the entire rotten range.
The experimental method is the same as that for obtaining the data of FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables (samples 1 to 4), which are rotting products, was measured, all the rotting calculation values of samples 1 to 4 exceeded 1, and such a result Even if the samples 1 to 4 that were spoiled were changed in inclination, all of them were correctly evaluated as spoiled products.

  Whether the fruit or vegetable is a normal product or a spoiled product as in the above-described Example 1 and Example 2, the evaluation apparatus 100 according to the present invention makes an erroneous determination as in the conventional example. Never do. All can be evaluated with high accuracy.

[Example 3]
Next, using a plurality of samples (onions), the influence of the angle β between the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 and the number of lamps of the light source 22 on the measurement accuracy was examined.
Each measurement condition and measurement result are as shown in Table 1.

When the measurement light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 22, two light sources 22 are arranged in the vertical direction as shown in FIG.
For a plurality of samples, the calculated decay values were calculated in the same manner as in the above-described example, and the actual measured decay values were identified based on the criteria shown in Table 2 by visual observation.

  As shown in Table 1, the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 are arranged so that the position where the light receiving unit 24 is inclined with respect to the optical axis in the incident direction of the measurement light from the light source 22, that is, the angle β formed is not 180 °. In some cases, the correlation coefficient exceeded 0.8 and good results were obtained.

In particular, by arranging two light sources 22, the correlation coefficient can be improved and the measurement accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where only one light source 22 is provided.
On the other hand, as shown in Table 1, the light source 22 and the light receiving unit 24 are positioned so that the light receiving unit 24 is not inclined with respect to the optical axis in the incident direction of the measurement light from the light source 22, that is, the angle β formed is 180 °. Was placed, the correlation coefficient was less than 0.8.

  Even if two light sources 22 are arranged, if there is a light source 22 arranged so that the angle β formed is 180 °, the correlation coefficient is less than 0.8, and a satisfactory measurement result is obtained. It was not obtained.

  That is, regardless of whether the number of the light sources 22 is one or more, good measurement results can be obtained by arranging the light receiving unit 24 at a position inclined with respect to the optical axis in the incident direction of the measurement light from the light sources 22. It was confirmed that

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said Example at all.
For example, in the above embodiment, the onion is an object to be evaluated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to bulbous vegetables such as raccoon or some citrus fruits conveyed in various postures. It is. Also, the internal quality is not limited to rotting. The sugar content, acidity, etc. can be evaluated in substantially the same manner.

  Further, the optical axis of the measurement light emitted from the light source 22 may not be horizontal, and may be arranged in any direction with respect to the fruits and vegetables 108. For example, the optical axis of the measurement light emitted from the light source 22 can be arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the fruits and vegetables.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Evaluation apparatus 12 Conveyance line 14a Tapered surface 14 Conveyor 16 Fruits and vegetables 18 Evaluation apparatus part 20 Frame 22 Light source 24 Light receiving part 30 Light shielding plate 32 Light shielding plate member 32a-32f Light shielding plate member 33a-33c Lower end part 34a Slit 100 Evaluation apparatus 102 Conveyance Line 104 Light source 106 Light receiving part 108 Fruits and vegetables

Claims (8)

Internal quality of bulbous vegetables by irradiating measurement light from a light source to the bulbous vegetables conveyed in various postures on the conveyance line and receiving the transmitted light that has passed through the bulbous vegetables at the light receiving part. A device for evaluating bulb vegetables:
At least two of the light sources are arranged;
An apparatus for evaluating bulbous vegetables, wherein an angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source is 100 ° ≦ β ≦ 170 °. Between the light source and the light receiving unit, a light shielding plate that blocks light other than the transmitted light that passes through the bulb vegetables is disposed so that light other than the transmitted light that transmits through the bulb vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit. The apparatus for evaluating bulbous vegetables according to claim 1, wherein: Either one of the light source or the light receiving unit is disposed on one side of the transport direction X of the transport line,
3. The bulb vegetable evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other of the light source and the light receiving unit is disposed upward with respect to the transport line. 4. The bulb vegetable according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein an angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source is 110 ° ≦ β ≦ 150 °. Evaluation device. The fruit and vegetables transported in various postures on the transport line are irradiated with measurement light from the light source, and the transmitted light that has passed through the bulb vegetables is received at the light receiving unit, thereby improving the internal quality of the bulb vegetables. A method for evaluating bulbous vegetables to be evaluated,
At least two of the light sources are arranged;
An evaluation method for bulbous vegetables, wherein an angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source is 100 ° ≦ β ≦ 170 °. Between the light source and the light receiving unit, a light shielding plate that blocks light other than the transmitted light that passes through the bulb vegetables is disposed so that light other than the transmitted light that transmits through the bulb vegetables is not received by the light receiving unit. 6. The method for evaluating bulbous vegetables according to claim 5 . Either one of the light source or the light receiving unit is disposed on one side of the transport direction X of the transport line,
7. The method for evaluating bulbous vegetables according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the other of the light source and the light receiving unit is arranged upward with respect to the transport line. The bulb vegetable according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein an angle β formed by the light receiving unit with respect to an optical axis in an incident direction of measurement light from the light source is 110 ° ≦ β ≦ 150 °. Evaluation method.

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