Patent ID: 12011742

Abstract:
In an optical sorter that includes an optical detection unit to detect a to-be-sorted material at a detection position, a determining unit to determine a to-be-sorted material to be removed, based on a detection result by the optical detection unit, and an air-jetting unit to blow off and remove the to-be-sorted material to be removed using jet air of a compressed gas, based on a determination result by the determining unit, the air-jetting unit includes a piezoelectric valve to perform valve opening and closing by driving a valve disc utilizing displacement of a piezoelectric element, and a valve driving unit to apply a drive voltage to the piezoelectric element, and the valve driving unit controls the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in accordance with the to-be-sorted material to be removed to thus control a jet-air pressure of the compressed gas for removing the to-be-sorted material.