Fish-sorting device and method

摘要

The invention relates to a fish sorting device, comprising a weighing compartment which is designed to receive a single fish, a weighing device which is coupled mechanically to the weighing compartment and is designed to sense the weight exerted on the weighing compartment by the fish. The invention is characterized by at least two discharge ports through which a fish can be removed from the fish sorting device, a sorter which is designed to sort the fish from the weighing compartment selectively into one of the at least two discharge ports, an actuator unit (73,74) which is coupled mechanically to the sorter and actuates a movable sorting element (13,14) of the sorter in order to sort the fish into one of the discharge ports, and a control unit which is in signal communication with the weighing device and the actuator unit and is designed to compare a weight determined by the weighing device with at least one limit weight, and activate the actuator unit, depending on the comparison between the determined weight and the limit weight, in such a way that, when the limit weight is exceeded, the fish is sorted into a first discharge port and, when the weight falls short of the limit weight, the fish is sorted into a second discharge port different from the first.

主权项

1. A fish sorting device, comprising:
a weighing compartment adapted to receive a single fish; a weighing device mechanically coupled to the weighing compartment, the weighing device adapted to sense the weight exerted on the weighing compartment by the fish; at least two discharge ports through which a fish can be removed from the fish sorting device; a fish sorter to sort the fish from the weighing compartment selectively into one of the at least two discharge ports; an actuator unit coupled mechanically to the fish sorter for actuating a movable sorting element of the fish sorter in order to sort the fish into one of the discharge ports; and a control unit in signal communication with the weighing device and the actuator unit, wherein the control unit compares the weight of the fish determined by the weighing device with at least one limit weight, and activates the actuator unit depending on the comparison between the determined weight and the limit weight, such that when the limit weight is exceeded, the fish is sorted into a first discharge port and, when the weight falls short of the limit weight, the fish is sorted into a second discharge port different from the first; wherein the weighing compartment has a V-shaped bottom in vertical cross section, the weighing compartment further having a first pivotably mounted bottom flap actuated by means of a first actuator and a second pivotably mounted bottom flap actuated by means of a second discharge port, the fish sorter further comprising a through opening between the weighing compartment and the first discharge port through which a fish moves under the influence of gravity out of the weighing compartment to the first discharge port that is opened by pivoting the first bottom flap, and a through opening between the weighing compartment and the second discharge port through which a fish moves under the influence of gravity out of the weighing compartment to the second discharge port that is opened by pivoting the second bottom flap.