Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
  • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
  • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
  • G01N21/8806—Specially adapted optical and illumination features
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
  • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
  • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
  • G01N21/90—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination in a container or its contents
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
  • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
  • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
  • G01N21/8806—Specially adapted optical and illumination features
  • G01N2021/8838—Stroboscopic illumination; synchronised illumination

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a container inspection apparatus and a container inspection method for inspecting containers.
• the container inspection apparatus and the container inspection method may, for example, be used in a container treatment plant in which the containers are inspected for defects, defects, etc. with the container inspection apparatus.
• DE 100 17 126 C1 shows a method and a device for optically checking transparent containers.
• the device for carrying out the method has an LED luminescent screen with a plurality of individually or group-wise activatable LEDs.
• the LED screen is in addition to a stream of in a series of successively arranged transparent containers, a container stream arranged. If the containers are illuminated with the LED screen, an image of the container can be taken to perform the optical inspection of the container.
• the lights flash at a frequency or at a rate that is equal to or a multiple of the speed of the container flow.
• the lights are designed so that they can shine or flash with frequencies from 0 Hz to> 80 Hz.
• the problem is that at a certain speed of the container flow, the lights flash at a frequency that can trigger an epileptic seizure. This is the case, for example, at a speed of 37,000 containers per hour, which corresponds to a flash frequency of about 10. 27 Hz.
• a speed of 37,000 containers per hour which corresponds to a flash frequency of about 10. 27 Hz.
• a container inspection apparatus and a container inspection method for inspecting containers with which the aforementioned problems can be solved.
• a container inspection device and a container inspection method for inspection of containers is to be provided, which can realize that the light never shines or flashes with a frequency, which can cause health damage, especially an epileptic seizure
• the container inspection device for inspection of containers according to claim 1.
• the container inspection device comprises at least one luminaire for illuminating containers in an inspection cycle for inspecting the containers, wherein the container inspection device for activating the at least one luminaire is designed such that the at least one luminaire is perceived by a person to be constantly lit independently of the inspection cycle.
• the luminaire With the container inspection device, the luminaire is actuated in such a way that, subjectively, the luminaire never shines or flashes with a frequency which can cause damage to health, in particular an epileptic seizure.
• flash frequencies are superimposed in a range around 10 Hz, in particular in the range of 3 to 15 Hz of at least one second flash frequency.
• the term "perceived as constantly luminous” hereby does not mean that the luminaire is actually lit constantly, but the luminaire may also flash at a predetermined frequency, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments, even if the lightning is not conscious for a person
• the term "perceived as constantly luminous” includes, in particular, that the luminaire is in particular driven only for flashing with frequencies outside the critical frequency range, which can trigger an epileptic seizure.
• the control signal can be designed as a function of at least one parameter of the luminaire to be controlled.
• the control signal can be configured in dependence on at least one parameter of the luminaire to be controlled such that the power for a flash either increases and / or decreases gradually and / or rises from a predetermined initial value not equal to zero.
• the additional flash signal for generating an anti-epilepsy flash signal may also be eliminated if the light thereby acts as if it were continuously lit for an observer.
• the at least one parameter of the luminaire to be controlled may include the maximum possible frequency with which the luminaire to be controlled can be actuated, and / or the maximum possible output and / or the maximum operating current of the luminaire to be driven.
• the container inspection device may also comprise a control device for controlling the luminaire with a control signal which superimposes a flash signal with which the luminaire flashes in accordance with the inspection cycle in such a way that a person perceives the at least one luminaire as constantly lit or whose frequency exceeds that of the human
• the lightning signal can be adjustable depending on the speed of a container flow of a container treatment plant, in which the container inspection device can be used.
• the control device can be designed to output the control signal depending on whether the resulting from the inspection clock frequency for controlling the light in a predetermined frequency range. In this case, only an additional control signal is output next to the lightning signal if necessary to prevent damage to health.
• the predetermined frequency range may include frequencies that may trigger an epileptic seizure in a human.
• the control device can therefore control the light taking into account this particular frequency range and thereby avoid health damage to a human.
• the container inspection device described above can also be an optical
• Detecting means for optically detecting a predetermined container of the container stream in the inspection cycle, wherein the container inspection device for controlling the at least one lamp is configured such that the lamp is gradually up-regulated at a lighting of a container to a maximum value and again controlled from the maximum value, and wherein the optical detection means is operable to perform an optical detection when the lamp is lit with the maximum value of illumination.
• the container inspection device described above may be part of a container treatment system for treating containers.
• the object is also achieved by a container inspection method for inspecting containers according to claim 10.
• the container inspection method comprises the steps of illuminating containers at a predetermined inspection tact to inspect the containers with at least one luminaire, and driving the at least one luminaire such that the at least one luminaire is perceived by a person to be constantly lit independently of the inspection clock.
• the control method achieves the same advantages as previously mentioned with respect to the controller.
• FIG. 1 is a highly simplified view illustrating a machine having a container inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment
• FIG. 2 is a timing chart for signals generated during operation of the engine in a control with the control device according to the first embodiment;
• FIG. FIG. 3 is a timing chart of another signal generated during operation of the container inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment;
• FIG. 4 is a timing chart of a signal generated during operation of the container inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a signal generated during operation of the container inspection apparatus according to a third embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a timing chart of a signal generated in operation of the container inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
• FIG. 7 is a timing chart of a signal generated in operation of the container inspection apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control device of the container inspection apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.
• identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.
• Fig. 1 shows a machine 1 comprising, for example, a container treatment plant, in particular an empty bottle inspection machine, full bottle inspection machine, label inspection device, lid inspection machine, preform inspection machine, level control machine, stretch blow molder, filling machine, glass container treating machine, etc., packing machine, box washing machine, etc. can be.
• a container treatment plant in particular an empty bottle inspection machine, full bottle inspection machine, label inspection device, lid inspection machine, preform inspection machine, level control machine, stretch blow molder, filling machine, glass container treating machine, etc., packing machine, box washing machine, etc.
• the machine 1 is described below partially using the example of a container treatment plant, the machine 1 is not limited thereto.
• containers 2 in particular transparent plastic bottles, glass bottles, metal cans, preforms, empty, full, closed, unlocked, labeled, not labeled, etc., are produced and / or treated. It is meant that the described inspection systems can be upstream and / or downstream of each treatment step in the container treatment plant.
• Fig. 1 not all containers 2 are provided with a reference numeral for the sake of simplicity.
• the containers 2 are in a container stream 3, in which the container 2 each individually in a row arranged one after the other, moved past a container inspection device 10.
• the speed of the container stream 3 can be detected by a speed detector 5.
• the machine 1 is operated or even viewed by a person 7, for example.
• the container inspection device 10 has a first light 1 1, a second light 12, a third light 13, a first optical detection means 14, a second optical detection means 15, a first frame grabber, which is also referred to as the first grabber 16, a first computing device 17, a second image capture circuit, which is also referred to as second grabber 18 below, a second computing device 19, a control device 20, a first trigger signal generator 21 and a second trigger signal generator 22.
• the first lamp 1 1 is driven by a first lighting control device 1 1 1
• the second lamp 12 is driven by a second lamp driver 121.
• the third lamp 13 is driven by a third lamp driver 131.
• the first and / or the second and / or the third lamp 1 1, 12, 13 illuminate the containers 2 on the basis of an activation by the lighting control devices 1 1 1, 121, 131 such that the first and / or second optical detection device 14, 15 can detect the container optically. If the first and / or second optical detection device 14, 15 is, for example, a camera, it can take pictures which are evaluated for detecting defects, defects, etc. of the containers 2.
• the first lighting control device 1 1 1 is controlled by the combination of the first grabber 16 and the first computing device 17.
• the second lighting drive device 121 is driven by the combination of the second grabber 18 and the second computing device 19.
• the first and second Leuchtenan Kunststoff accepted 1 1 1, 121 and the third Leuchtenan Kunststoff 131 are driven by the controller 20.
• the controller 20 may also output a signal for the first and / or second trigger signal generator 21, 22 or receive from the first and / or second trigger signal generator 21, 22, as shown in Fig. 1 by the dashed lines.
• FIG. 2 shows the time characteristic in various temporal resolutions.
• S A i stands for an anti-epilepsy flash signal with a frequency of 20 Hz in a low temporal resolution.
• S A 2 is a representation of the portion of the anti-epilepsy flash signal indicated by the arrows on the signal S A i in FIG. is called, in a something greater temporal resolution.
• S A represents a representation of the same portion of the anti-epilepsy flash signal at an even greater temporal resolution.
• S A For simplicity, above and hereinafter always from the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A is the speech, since the signals S i A, S A 2, the same signals are in fact as the signal S A.
• FIG. 1 shows the time characteristic in various temporal resolutions.
• the flash signal S P has a clock with which the containers 2 are to be inspected. This clock is therefore also referred to below as the inspection clock of the container inspection device 10.
• the flash signal S P has a cycle which is required in a container treatment plant at a throughput of 37,000 containers per hour to illuminate the container 2. Because of this clock, the flash signal S P has a frequency of about 10.27 Hz. This frequency is within a predetermined frequency range in which the frequencies in the person 7 can cause health damage, especially an epileptic seizure. According to current knowledge, this frequency range is in a range around 10 Hz, in particular in the range of about 3 to about 15 Hz.
• the control device 20 outputs the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A , which in Fig. 2 at 20 Hz has approximately twice the frequency as the flash signal S P.
• the lights 1 1, 12, 13 in addition to the flash signal S P with the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A are driven to light or flash.
• the person 7 sees the person 7 as a viewer of the corresponding lights 1 1, 12, 13, the total signal S G , which is shown in Fig. 2 under the flash signal S P.
• the person 7 sees the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13, as if the lamp 1 1, 12, 13 are lit continuously. Consequently, the health of the container treatment plant no health damage, especially epileptic seizures, more triggered.
• FIG. 3 shows a further example of a total signal S G that a viewer of the respective lamps 1 1, 12, 13 sees in a modification of the first exemplary embodiment when the duration of the flashes of the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A is only approximately 10 s ,
• the flash signal S P is designed such that the total signal S G shown in FIG. 3 results for the person 7 as the viewer.
• the person 7 sees the luminaire as if it were continuously lit, so that damage to health, in particular epileptic seizures, is avoided.
• Fig. 4 shows a signal waveform of a control of the first lamp 1 1, the second lamp 12 and the third lamp 13 with the control device 20 according to a second embodiment.
• the engine 1 is constructed as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.
• the first to third lamp 1 1, 12, 13 is controlled by the control device 20 such by a flash signal S P that the power P of each lamp of the first to third lamp 1 1, 12, 13 starting from Value 0 increases gradually over time t. If the power of the respective lamp 1 1, 12, 13 has risen to a predetermined value, a maximum value P M for the drive, the first and / or second optical detection device 14, 15 is actuated, an optical detection in the recording period T A perform. This time is indicated in Fig. 5 at the highest level of the stepped curve, ie at the maximum value P M.
• the controller 20 controls the power P of each lamp of the first to third lamp 1 1, 12, 13 such that their power P gradually decreases over the time t to the value 0 again , as shown in Fig. 5.
• the optical detection device does not have to take a picture every time the lights 1 1, 12, 13 are actuated.
• the flash signal S P is preferably designed, as shown in Fig. 4, when the frequency for driving the first to third lamp 1 1, 12, 13 is due to the speed of the container 2 within the predetermined frequency range.
• the anti-epileptic flash signal S A can be omitted. Nevertheless, the viewer sees the lamp 1 1, 12, 13 as if it were lit continuously, so that health damage, especially epileptic seizures, be avoided.
• Fig. 5 shows a waveform of a control of the first lamp 1 1, the second lamp 12 and the third lamp 13 with the control device 20 according to a third embodiment. Also in this embodiment, the engine 1 is constructed as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the preceding embodiments will be described below.
• the first to third lamps 1 1, 12, 13 are also driven in stages over time t with respect to their power P, as described in the second embodiment.
• at least one of the lights 1 1, 12, 13 is controlled by the control device 20 such that the power P of the lamp has at least a predetermined initial value P A , as illustrated in Fig. 5.
• the first and / or second optical detection means 14, 15 for optical detection in each control of the lights 1 1, 12, 13 according to the power curve over the time t in Fig. 5 is driven. This results in the same effect as in the second embodiment, so that also here the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A can be omitted.
• Fig. 6 shows a waveform of a control of the first lamp 1 1, the second lamp 12 and the third lamp 13 with the control device 20 according to a fourth embodiment. Also in this embodiment, the engine 1 is constructed as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the preceding embodiments will be described below.
• the first to third lights 1 1, 12, 13 are driven by a flash signal S P at a frequency as described in the first embodiment.
• at least one of the lamps 1 1, 12, 13 is controlled by the control device 20 in such a way by the flash signal S P that the power P of the lamp over the time t always has a predetermined initial value P A not equal to zero, as in FIG. 6 illustrated.
• the predetermined initial value P A preferably has a value at which the LEDs have the maximum efficiency.
• the LEDs for achieving the predetermined initial value P A may be operated with an operating current of 10 to 20 mA.
• the LEDs are then operated at an operating current of approximately 100 to 120 mA at the short-term power limit.
• Fig. 7 shows a waveform of a control of the first lamp 1 1, the second lamp 12 and the third lamp 13 with the control device 20 according to a fifth embodiment.
• the engine 1 is constructed as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the preceding embodiments will be described below.
• at least one of the lights 1 1, 12, 13 is controlled by the control device 20 by a flash signal S P similar to the fourth embodiment in terms of their power P over the time t.
• the controller 20 controls, for example, the first lamp 1 1, starting from the predetermined initial value P A , for a predetermined first time period T1 for flashing Immediately after the expiration of the predetermined first time period T1, the controller 20 controls the first lamp 1 1 such that the power P of the lamp for a predetermined second period T2 has a value P L which is less than the predetermined initial value P A , as illustrated in FIG. In this case, the regions marked with several x in FIG. 7 have the same area. With such a control by the control device 20, it is possible to gain time, which is required to recharge the capacities used in the control. This results in such a flash signal S P, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment, so that here also the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A can be omitted if necessary.
• Fig. 8 shows the structure of the control device 20 according to a sixth embodiment in more detail.
• the control device 20 has a determination unit 201, a determination unit 202, a storage unit 203 and an output unit 204.
• Various data 205 are stored in the storage unit 203.
• the determination unit 201 determines with which frequency or in which cycle the first to third light 1 1, 12, 13 is to be controlled to illuminate predetermined container 2 of the container stream 3 for their inspection with the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13.
• the determination unit 201 may use a detection result of the speed detection means 5 which continuously detects the speed of the containers 2 and thus the container flow 3.
• the speed detection device 5 can also detect the speed of a transport device, not shown, for the containers 2. Therefore, the determination unit 201 may also continuously determine the frequency to be detected.
• the determination unit 201 outputs its determination result, that is, the frequency to be determined, to the output unit 204.
• the determination unit 202 is designed to determine a frequency or the clock with which the individual lights 1 1, 12, 13 are controllable. This puts the determination unit 202 is based on parameters of the corresponding luminaire 1 1, 12, 13.
• the parameters may, for example, the maximum possible frequency with which the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 can be controlled, and / or the maximum possible power of the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 and / or the maximum operating current of the corresponding lamp. 1 1, 12, 13 include.
• the parameters are stored in the storage unit 203 in the data 205.
• the determination unit 202 also outputs its determination result, that is to say the frequency to be determined, to the output unit.
• the data 205 also stores the predetermined frequency range, which includes the frequencies which can cause health damage, in particular an epileptic seizure, as previously mentioned.
• the output unit 204 is designed to output a control signal S A for controlling the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13.
• the control signal S A takes into account at least the predetermined frequency range and a result of a determination by the determination unit 201.
• the output unit 204 may consider a result of a determination by the determination unit 202 when outputting the control signal.
• the output device 204 accesses the memory device 203, more precisely the predetermined frequency range stored in the data 205.
• the output unit 204 outputs the anti-epilepsy flash signal S A and / or as a control signal Flash signal S P according to the container stream 3, which are explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.
• the flash signal S P according to the container stream 3 is also referred to below simply as a flash signal S P.
• the output device 204 outputs only a flash signal S P as a control signal. The boundaries of the predetermined frequency range may be added as needed to the first or the second mentioned condition for the determination of the control signal.
• the frequency of the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 speed-dependent controlled so that the lamp 1 1, 12, 13 such a high frequency that it looks like a constantly lit luminaire.
• the control device 20 for example in the form of a controller, which is arranged between the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 and the respective optical detection device 14, 15, monitor which frequency is currently necessary and which is possible.
• the control device 20 then also processes on the basis of the parameters of the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13, such as maximum frequency, and frequency of the container as the container 2, the requirements and outputs a high-frequency trigger signal to the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 on.
• the container inspection device 10 may also have only one luminaire, for example the first luminaire 11, or two luminaires. Alternatively, the container inspection device 10 may also have more than three lights.
• the container inspection device 10 may also have only one optical detection device, for example the first optical detection device 14.
• the container inspection device 10 may also include more than two optical detection devices.
• the first lamp 1 1 and / or the second lamp 12 and / or the third lamp 13 may be an LED lamp.
• a plurality of LEDs may be present, which can be controlled individually or in groups.
• the control device 20 at least one of the lights 1 1, 12, 13 also control such that the power P for a flash of the lamp
• control device 20 another lamp of the lights 1 1, 12, 13 also control such that the power of the lamp 1 1, 12, 13 continuously decreases over time t.
• other variants are conceivable.
• the container inspection device 10 can control at least one of the lamps 1 1, 12, 13 in such a way that the lamp is actuated in multiple, in particular double, inspection cycles, in order to avoid the critical frequency range triggering damage to health.
• the lights 1 1, 12, 13 in the illumination of the container stream 3 with the maximum power of the lamp 1 1, 12, 13 are driven, when the first and / or second optical detection means.14, 15 a to perform optical detection.
• the output unit 204 may also be configured to output the control signal for controlling at least one of the lamps 1 1, 12, 13 as a function of the time t at which the last preceding activation of the lamp 1 1,
• the output unit 204 may output the antiepileptic flash signal S A even when the frequency for driving the first to third lights 1 1, 12, 13 is outside the predetermined frequency range.
• At least one of the lamps 1 1, 12, 13 may have at least one segment which is always switched on during operation of the container inspection device 10 with the exception that the corresponding lamp 1 1, 12, 13 is activated for flashing.
• the segment may also be referred to as the antiepileptic segment.
• the segment may comprise suitable bulbs, such as LED and / or at least one other bulbs. Likewise, it can be constantly active to provide a certain basic brightness.
• the storage unit 203 does not need to be part of the controller 20.
• the storage unit 203 may also be an external storage device accessible to the controller 20. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

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• Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

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• 2013
  • 2013-07-01 DE DE102013106894.4A patent/DE102013106894A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2014
  • 2014-05-19 CN CN201480035840.XA patent/CN105492894A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-05-19 EP EP14728473.1A patent/EP3017293A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-05-19 WO PCT/EP2014/060260 patent/WO2015000628A1/de active Application Filing
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