• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 1997

Finding of internal quality is crucial for getting under control quality of watermelon after harvest. A maturity sensing device of watermelon using repulsion characteristics was developed and evaluated. In this study, five different sensing probes were used to detect the physical changes after impact on watermelons. Total 15 watermelons were tested and evaluated into two classes: ripe and unripe. It was difficult to detect the overripe watermelons using the proposed sensor. Therefore, the results showed that the developed sensor could be used to separate unripe watermelons after harvest. The results from this study are summarized as follows. 1. It was successful to distinguish between the ripe and unripe watermelon by sensing the elastic characteristics on impact. 2. The hemisphere was best for the shape of sensing part because the hemisphere concentrate stress in impact part. 3. Among the five type developed sensor, the 1, 2, 3. 5-type sensor showed good character in distinguishing between ripe and unripe watermelon.