JP2001159611A - Apparatus for inspecting tumbling object - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve inspection efficiency by reducing bulkiness of an apparatus for inspecting a tumbling object, such as a bearing or the like. SOLUTION: An inspection apparatus is equipped with a main body 100, having one or a plurality of housing parts 3 which can house a tumbling object such as a bearing or the like, formed to the surface thereof, a sensing means 10 capable of performing sensing such as observation or measurement with respect to the tumbling object, and a sorting means capable of sorting the tumbling objects based on sensing result. The sorting means is provided at a position different from the sensing means, and the main body 100 enables the circular motion of the housing parts 3 to move at least the housing parts 3 from the position, corresponding to the sensing means to the position of the sorting means. Therefore, it is unnecessary to cause the tumbling object to linearly move linearly at least from an inspection position to a sorting position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rolling element inspection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, light has been used to inspect the surface of rolling elements (balls, rollers, etc.) of bearings such as ball bearings and thrust bearings (cylindrical or substantially conical bearings) and to inspect dimensional accuracy and the like. There have been proposed various devices that determine whether or not light is reflected on the surface according to the intensity of reflected light. For example, the inspection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-331338 has two parallel rollers, and a rolling element is placed between these rollers, and the rotation of the rollers causes
For the inspection unit, a device capable of changing the inspection position has been proposed.

[0003] Specifically, the inspection apparatus performs a surface inspection on a sphere supplying section, a transfer section for transferring a sphere supplied from the supply section for a predetermined section, and a sphere on the transfer section. Inspection unit, having a sorting unit that sorts the spherical objects sent from the transfer unit according to the inspection result of the inspection unit, the transfer unit,
It is composed of two rollers called a first and a second support part, which are passed between a supply part and a sorting part, and these two rollers support a spherical object. Is formed with a guide groove extending in a spiral shape on the roller peripheral surface, and by rotating the roller, the spheres are sequentially moved from the supply unit side to the selection unit side, and the inspection units mutually move along the longitudinal direction of the roller. A plurality of electromagnetic wave sensors arranged at appropriate intervals are provided. By adopting such a configuration, in this apparatus, while moving from the supply unit to the sorting unit, the inspection of each unit is performed while changing the direction of one spherical object, and after the movement, the sorting unit according to the inspection result. Sorting is performed at.

However, in such an inspection apparatus, it is necessary to perform a linear movement from the supply unit to the selection unit in order to perform the inspection, and to secure the distance, the bulkiness in the horizontal direction is increased. It was something that became. In particular, although the bulk is large, only one inspection can be performed on the spherical material as the test material, and the inspection efficiency corresponding to the bulk is not obtained. The linear movement described above is also required for an inspection that does not require many inspection points (high accuracy) for one spherical object (for example, a surface inspection using a relatively small steel ball as an inspection material). Also, the time required for a series of steps such as placing, transferring, and sorting from the supply unit to the transfer unit is not negligible.

On the other hand, as in the inspection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-63539,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 31338 proposes a device which has two rollers shorter than the roller provided in the inspection device and performs surface inspection at a fixed position by changing only the direction of a spherical object. In this apparatus, surface inspection can be performed on a plurality of locations on the surface of a spherical object at a fixed position, which is considered to be more compact than the inspection apparatus shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-331338. .

However, the inspection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-63539 needs to perform setting, inspection, and sorting steps for each single spherical object. Until the inspection of the next spherical object can not be started. This was extremely inefficient and unsuitable for processing large quantities of spheres.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and at least enables a series of steps such as inspection and sorting to be performed promptly, improving the efficiency of inspection and solving the above problems. Plan.

[0008]

A rolling element inspection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main body 100 having an accommodating portion 3 capable of receiving a rolling element, and sensing of the rolling element such as observation or measurement. Sensing means 10 that can be performed;
Sorting means capable of sorting rolling elements. The accommodating part 3 can move from a position corresponding to at least the sensing means 10 to a position where the sorting means is located, by performing a circular motion. The term "rolling element" used herein means a member that rolls in a bearing, such as a ball of a ball bearing or a roller (an approximately columnar or conical rolling element) of a thrust bearing, or a member other than a bearing (bearing). Rolling members such as spherical or cylindrical objects used for the purpose of (1). For example, spherical bodies used for purposes other than bearings, such as pachinko balls used in amusement machines, are also included.

The rolling element inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure, detects the rolling element by the simple and space-saving operation of the circular motion of the housing 3 and the sensing means 1.
It is possible to move from 0 to the sorting means. In particular, since the rolling element is moved by moving the housing 3 and does not directly apply a force to the rolling element, once the rolling element is once housed in the housing 3, the rolling element may be damaged or dropped. There is no fear of In detail, in the rolling element inspection device according to the first invention of the present application, the main body 100 circularly moves the housing 3 so that the housing 3 is moved from the position corresponding to the sensing means 10 to the position where the sorting means is located. It can be moved and at least a series of operations from sensing to sorting can be completed. Therefore, in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the present invention, when the rolling element moves from the sensing position to the sorting position as in the related art, a linear movement is not required, and a simple operation called circular motion is performed. Thus, the rolling element can be transferred. In addition, since the rolling element is moved not by moving only the rolling element but by moving the accommodating portion 3 that accommodates the rolling element, the rolling element can be surely moved without being missed. it can. In addition, when the rolling element is moved from at least the sensing position to the position where the sorting unit is located, it is not necessary to roll the rolling element itself for the movement, so that unnecessary contact between the rolling element and others can be avoided. ,
There is no danger that the rolling elements will be damaged by the movement.

[0010] In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the second invention of the present application, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the first invention of the present application is such that the main body 100 includes the base 2 and the holder 1 along the surface of the base 2. It is composed of The base 2 is movable with respect to the holding body 1, and the accommodation section 3 is a through hole provided in the holding body 1 and penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the holding body 1, and is accommodated in the accommodation section 3. The rolling element comes into contact with the surface of the base 2. At least at the time of sensing, by moving the base body 2 with respect to the holder 1, it is possible to change the direction of the rolling element in the housing portion 3 and change the sensing site of the rolling element.

By adopting such a configuration, in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the movement of the base 2 with respect to the holder 1 in the sensing position causes The direction of inspection can be changed. Therefore, the inspection performed at a plurality of locations on one test material does not impair the function of the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. In addition, since the above-mentioned movement is performed independently of the movement from the sensing means 10 to the sorting means, the inspection result can be known at the same time as the end of sensing without waiting for the sorting (data is obtained). be able to).

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the third invention of the present application, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the second invention of the present application is configured such that the base 2 is rotated with respect to the holding body 1, It is characterized in that the direction of the rolling element can be changed in the housing portion 3.

By adopting such a configuration, in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the third invention of the present application, the movement of the base 2 with respect to the holder 1 in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the second invention of the present application. Was realized by the rotation of the base 1 with respect to the holder 1. As described above, the movement of the base body 2 with respect to the holding body 1 is realized by a simple operation that does not take place, ie, rotation, so that a plurality of inspections are performed on one test material, so that the apparatus becomes extremely large. Nothing.

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the main body 100 includes at least a rolling element during a sensing operation. The moving body is supported in a liquid such as oil, and the sensing means 10 includes a light source 11 and a light transmitting part 12 for transmitting light from the light source 11 toward the surface of the rolling body.
And a light receiving sensor 13 for receiving light emitted from the light source 11 and reflected on the surface of the rolling element. The light-transmitting portion 12 is arranged inside and outside the liquid, and one end of the light-transmitting portion 12 is arranged outside the liquid as an entrance of light from the light source 11, and the other end of the light-transmitting portion 12 is provided. The side is characterized as being arranged in the liquid as an outlet for light.

By adopting such a configuration, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the fourth invention of the present application operates in the same manner as the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any of the first to third inventions of the present application. And the optical sensing used for surface inspection of steel balls and the like placed in a liquid such as oil for corrosion protection, which is often a problem, Inspection accuracy was improved by eliminating reflection. In particular, the supply of light from the light source, which tends to be unstable in the past due to the fluctuation of the interface between the gas and the liquid, has been stabilized.

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention is such that the housing portion 3 has:
It has at least one positioning part. Then, when the rolling element is accommodated in the accommodation section 3, the rolling element can be moved to the positioning section to perform sensing positioning.

By adopting such a configuration, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention has the same operation as the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. To the positioning part in the storage part 3
Even if the rolling element is moved, the reference position for sensing is secured, and even if the size of the test material is changed, the sensing can be performed accurately.

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention has a main body 100 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The accommodation section (3) can make a circular motion along the circumferential direction, and the sensing means 10 and the sorting means are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the main body 100. A plurality of parts 3 are provided, and each accommodation part 3 has at least one part along the axial direction of the main body 100.
It is characterized by being arranged in a column.

The rolling element inspection apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure has the same effect as the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention. In addition, by making each of the housing portions 3... 3 make a circular motion in the circumferential direction of the main body 100, it is possible to simultaneously perform the inspection processing on a plurality of rolling elements, thereby greatly improving the processing efficiency.

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention is provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the main body 100 at different positions. At least the setting work for accommodating the rolling elements in the accommodating section 3, the above-described sensing work, and the above-described sorting work are performed. The accommodating portion 3 is sequentially moved to each of the above working positions by a circular motion, and by one rotation thereof,
The above-mentioned operations for one rolling element are completed and the next rolling element can be received.

The rolling element inspection apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention having such a configuration has the same effects as the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, and has the same effects. In particular, all the steps can be completed for at least one rolling element, with one rotation of the storage section 3 as one cycle. That is, in this one cycle,
The rolling elements can be accommodated, sensing and sorting out of defective products, and accumulation and movement of non-defective products can be performed. Therefore, in the inspection of one rolling element, necessary steps can be completed quickly.

In the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, each of the plurality of accommodating portions 3 includes the main body 1.
00 in different positions in the circumferential direction,
Is at a position corresponding to the above-described sensing means 10, and at least a part of the other storage section 3 is at a position corresponding to the above-described sorting means. Then, the accommodating portion 3 located at the position corresponding to the sensing means 10 moves to the position corresponding to the selecting means and the accommodating section 3 located at the position corresponding to the selecting means moves to another by the circular motion. A rolling element inspection device, characterized in that the accommodating portion (3) located at another position can move to a position corresponding to the sensing means 10 with the movement.

By adopting such a configuration, the rolling element inspection apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention has the same operation as the rolling element inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention. When the sensing of one rolling element is completed and the process proceeds to the sorting means, the next rolling element is sent to the sensing work position. Accordingly, a plurality of rolling elements can be inspected without interruption, and the inspection efficiency is further improved.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inspection device, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged schematic plan view of a main part thereof. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic front view of a main part of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an inspection system incorporating this inspection device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (A), this inspection apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical main body 100, a rotating means 6, a supply means 8, a sensing means 10, and a sorting means 7. Have On the peripheral surface of the main body 100, one or a plurality of storage portions 3... 3 capable of receiving the rolling elements m
Is formed, and the supply means 8 can supply the rolling elements m to the storage sections 3... 3, and the sensing means 10 performs sensing such as observation or measurement on the rolling elements m in the storage section 3. The sorting means 7 can sort the rolling elements m based on the result of the sensing. The supply unit 8, the sensing unit 10, and the selection unit 7 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction r of the main body 100, respectively. The rotating means 6 is capable of rotating the main body 100, and by rotating the main body 100, the position of the housing 3 is shifted from a position where the supply means 8 is located to a position corresponding to the sensing means 10. Furthermore, it is possible to move from the sensing means 10 to a position where the sorting means 7 is located. The above main body 10
Numeral 0 is provided with the base 2 and the holder 1 along the surface of the base 2. In addition, the above-described inspection apparatus includes a driving unit 4 for moving the base 2 relatively to the holder 1,
And An accommodating portion 3 is formed in the holding body 1. The housing 3 is a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to the back surface of the holder 1, and the rolling elements m housed in the housing 3
It comes into contact with the surface of the substrate 2. At least during sensing
The storage unit 3 is located at a position corresponding to the sensing unit 10,
It is possible to cause the sensing means 10 to sense the rolling elements in the housing 3. The driving means 4 can change the direction of the rolling element m in the housing portion 3 by moving the base 2 relatively to the holding body 1, and can change the sensing site of the rolling element m. In FIG. 1 described above, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, the housing portion 3 is drawn in an empty state (not receiving the rolling element m). In addition, as for the above-mentioned rolling element m which is a test material, in addition to a metal material such as a steel ball, even if it is formed of ceramic, stone, plastic, or other material, it is a sensing target. It is possible to

The structure of each part will be described in order. As described above, the main body 100 mainly includes the holder 1 and the base 2. The main body 100 is supported by the support 5 described above. X in FIG. 1 indicates the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical main body 100.

The holding body 1 is a substantially cylindrical body, and the holding body 1 is formed with a plurality of the accommodating portions 3. The base 2
Is a substantially columnar body, and is disposed inside the holder 1.
The holder 1 and the base 2 are arranged concentrically (the center axis is the same).

Each of the storage sections 3 provided on the holder 1
It is a through-hole that penetrates from the surface of the substantially cylindrical holder 1 to the inside. The interior of the housing 3 is closed by the base 2, and the rolling elements m housed in the housing 3 are placed on the surface of the base 2. FIG.
As shown in (B), the accommodation section 3 has a substantially rectangular outline when viewed in plan. A plurality of the accommodating portions 3 are provided along the axial direction of the holding body 1 to form a row, and a plurality of the rows are arranged along the circumferential direction of the holding body 1. Therefore, a plurality of the accommodating portions 3 are provided also in the circumferential direction of the holding body 1. Also, as shown in FIG.
At the edge of the housing portion 3, inclined surfaces 30, 30 are provided. Such an inclined surface 30, 30 is provided for the rolling element m
Is to increase the exposure to the outside of the housing section 3 and to make sensing easier.

The outline of the housing portion 3 in a plan view is substantially rectangular. However, the outline of the housing portion 3 has a shape other than a rectangle, such as a circle, an ellipse, another polygon, or a combination of a polygon and a curve. Even if it is something, it can be implemented. In particular, the housing portion 3 having a rectangular shape in a plan view is suitable for accommodating a rolling element m such as a roller type (cylinder or truncated cone), particularly a columnar bearing. Of course, the spherical shape of the rolling element m can be accommodated by making the accommodation section 3 rectangular in a plan view. For example, excluding the case where only the spherical rolling element m is to be inspected, the versatility is higher when the housing portion 3 is substantially rectangular in plan view than in circular shape in plan view.

When accommodating the roller-type or spherical rolling element m, as described above, the outline of the accommodating section 3 is made substantially rectangular in plan view, and the position for performing the sensing operation is set from the top of the main body 100. 2 (A), the main body 100 is regarded as a timepiece, and not at the 12 o'clock position at the top of the main body 100 but at the approximately 1 o'clock position. By arranging the main body 100 so that the left and right heights thereof are different from each other with the axial direction X being the left-right direction, any one of the four corners of the rectangular housing portion 3 is used as the positioning portion 31. As shown in FIG. 2B, the positioning portion 31 includes at least two contact portions, a vertical surface 31a and a horizontal surface 32b. By adopting such a configuration, only the rolling element m is accommodated in the housing section 3 and the rolling element m
Is moved to the positioning section 31 and the positioning is performed. Therefore, even if the rolling elements mx having different dimensions are to be inspected, if the rolling elements mx have the same shape, the rolling elements mx can be positioned by being brought close to the positioning section 31 and the reference position for the inspection can be kept constant. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2B, in order to perform positioning more accurately,
In addition, it is effective to form the gap 32 having an arc shape in a plan view to ensure reliable contact between the vertical surface 31a and the horizontal surface 32b at two places.

The driving means 4 comprises a shaft 40 penetrating the center of the columnar base 2, a power transmission section 41, and a power source such as an electric motor or an engine. Although not shown, a well-known device capable of generating a rotational motion is used as the power source. In this embodiment, a power transmission section 41 is provided with a gear section 42 provided at one end of a shaft 40.
And a chain (not shown) hung between the gear portion 42 and the power source. The above-mentioned shaft 40 is supported by supporting parts 5 and 5 via bearings 50 and 50 on the right and left sides of the base 2. With this, the shaft 40
Are rotatable with respect to the support portions 5. In this embodiment, the support parts 5 and 5 are provided in a tank 51 filled with a liquid L such as oil for anticorrosion. The supporting portions 5 and 5 support the main body 100 in the liquid L. K indicates the interface of the liquid L (with the outside air).

The power transmission unit 41 rotates the shaft 40 by receiving power from the power source. This shaft 40
The substrate 2 rotates with the rotation of. Due to the rotation of the base 2, the direction of the rolling element m in contact with the surface of the base 2 with respect to the sensing means 10 can be changed in the housing portion 3. Therefore, this inspection device can perform the inspection of different portions of one rolling element m in the housing portion 3. As described above, in this apparatus, the change of the inspection position of one rolling element m is performed by the rolling element m having received the rotational force from the base 2.
Is performed by rotation in the housing portion 3,
It is possible to change only the direction of the rolling element m without changing its position. In FIG. 2A, the rotation direction r2 of the base 2 is shown as counterclockwise. However, the base 2
Can be implemented even if it rotates clockwise in FIG.

The power transmission section 41 may be implemented by using well-known means, such as one composed only of gears, one composed of pulleys and belts, or one composed of clutches. Is possible. Further, in the driving means 4, the shaft 40 can be directly connected to the power source without using the power transmission unit 41, and the present invention can be implemented.

As shown in FIG. 2A, supply means 8
The sensing means 10 and the sorting means 7 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction r along the peripheral surface of the holder 1.
2A, the supply unit 8, the sensing unit 10, and the selection unit 7 are arranged in a clockwise direction along the peripheral surface of the holder 1. On the peripheral surface of the holder 1, the position corresponding to the sorting means 7 is at least lower than the position corresponding to the sensing means 10. In particular, the sorting means 7 is disposed so as to correspond to a position where the housing portion 3 on the peripheral surface of the holding body 1 faces downward (for example, in the device shown in FIG. , The sorting means 7 corresponds to the position at about 4 o'clock). In this regard, the removal of the rolling element m from the storage section 3 is based on the fact that the rolling element m falls when the storage section 3 faces downward.
This is because the direction of the fall is controlled based on the sensing result.

The rotating means 6 is composed of holding members 60 provided at both ends of the holding member 1, a power transmission section 61, and a power source such as an electric motor or an engine. Although not shown, a well-known device capable of generating a rotational motion is used as the power source. In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 61 is provided with a gear unit 6 provided on one side of the holding body 60.
2 and a chain 63 hung on the gear portion 62 and the power source. In addition, the power transmission unit 61 can be implemented by known means, such as one composed only of gears, one composed of a pulley and a belt, or one composed of a clutch. Further, the holder 60 is directly connected to the power source without using the power transmission unit 61.
Can be implemented even if they are connected. The power source provided in the rotating means 6 may be provided separately from the power source provided in the driving means 4 or may be implemented as the same power source. However, if the same power source is used in both means 4 and 6, a well-known mechanism for taking out power separately, such as a clutch or a gear, shall be provided.

The holders 60, 60 are supported by the shaft 40 via bearings 64, 64. Therefore, the rotation of the holders 60 by the power transmission unit 61 is performed independently of the shaft 40, and does not rotate the shaft 40. Also, the shaft 40 by the power transmission unit 41
Is performed independently of the holders 60, 60 and does not rotate the holders 60, 60. That is, the rotation of the holder 1 and the rotation of the base 2 are performed separately and independently. In FIG. 2A, the rotation direction r1 of the holder 1 is
Clockwise. However, when the housing portion 3 is moved, the embodiment can be implemented even if the base 2 rotates together with the holder 1, and this does not prevent such an implementation.

By rotating the holding body 1 by the above-mentioned rotating means 6, the housing section 3 can be moved to the respective positions for performing operations such as sensing and sorting of the rolling elements m. That is, the holder 1 can rotate the housing portion 3 around the base 2 by its own rotation. Specifically, the housing 3 in which the rolling elements m are set by the supply means 8 moves to a certain position of the sensing means 10 by the rotation of the holding body 1. When it comes to a certain position of the sensing means 10, the rotating means 6 stops the rotation of the holder 1 and starts the sensing operation by the sensing means 10. By changing the direction of the rolling element m by the rotation of the base 2 during the sensing operation, it is possible to perform sensing at a plurality of locations for one rolling element m as described above. When the sensing operation for the rolling element m is completed, the rotating means 6 rotates the holding body 1 again to move the storage unit 3 toward the position of the sorting means 7. After the sorting of the rolling elements m, the rotating means 6 further rotates the holding body 1 so that the empty accommodation portion 3
Again, it returns to the position where the supply means 8 is located. Then, the next rolling element m can be set in the storage section 3. in this way,
The steps of setting the rolling element m, sensing the rolling element m, and selecting the rolling element m are completed by one rotation of the holder 1.

The manner of movement of the housings 3... 3 arranged in a line along the axial direction X of the holder 1 is as described above. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), a plurality of rows of such storage portions 3... 3 are provided at different positions on the peripheral surface of the holder 1, and at least the position corresponding to the supply unit 8, the sensing unit 3 are arranged at a position corresponding to 10 and a position corresponding to the sorting means 7, respectively, and the rotation of the holder 1 by the rotating means 6 causes the receiving parts 3.
Swap the positions of each column. With such a configuration, more efficient inspection processing can be performed. For example, while one row of the accommodating sections 3... 3 moves from the supply means 8 to the sensing means 10, the other row can move from the sensing means 10 to the sorting means 7 simultaneously. is there. Specifically, on the circumferential direction r of the holding body 1, the interval between the supply unit 8 and the sensing unit 10 and the interval between the sensing unit 10 and the selection unit 7 are configured to be equal to each other. The intervals between the columns of the sections 3... 3 are also configured to be equal to the above-mentioned intervals.
Thus, each row of the housing portions 3... 3 can correspond to any one of the means 8, 10, and 7 at the same time after the holder 1 is moved by rotation. In this way, the rows of the housing portions 3.
By forming a plurality of holders at different positions on the peripheral surface of the holding member, the same work can be sequentially performed in a form following the next rolling member, and the ability to process a large number of rolling members can be performed. Demonstrate.

Hereinafter, the supply means 8, the sensing means 10, and the selection means 7 will be described in detail. Supply means 8
2 is a supply chute for supplying one rolling element m to one storage section 3 as shown in FIG. The supply means 8 is provided with an inlet 81 of the rolling element m at an upper portion thereof and an outlet 82 at a lower portion thereof. Entrance 8
A passage 83 is formed between 1 and the outlet 82, and the rolling element m supplied from the inlet 81 passes through the passage 83 toward the outlet 82. The outlet 82 is closed by the holder 1 so that the rolling elements m in the passage 83 do not spill out. When the housing 3 comes to a position corresponding to the outlet 82 by the rotation of the holder 1, the rolling element m enters the housing 3 from the outlet 82.
As described above, the housing 3 in which the rolling elements m are housed further rotates the holding body 1 so that the sensing means 10
To a location with

FIG. 2A shows a cross section of the inspection apparatus (in a direction intersecting the axial direction XX), so that the supply of the rolling elements m seems to be performed one by one. However, in practice, the rolling elements m... M are sent into each of the storage units 3. For this reason, at least the passage 83 and the outlet 82
A plurality is provided according to the number of 3 (not shown).
In addition, if at least the lateral width (width in the axial direction X) of the passage 83 and the outlet 82 is formed to a size corresponding to the row of the housings 3..., Only one passage 83 (and outlet 82) is required. (Not shown).

In this embodiment, the sensing means 10 employs an optical means suitable for inspecting the surface of the rolling element m. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the position of the housing section 3 during the sensing operation is approximately 1 o'clock on the peripheral surface of the holding body 1 (base 2), assuming the holding body 1 as a clock. The sensing means 10 itself is disposed at a position higher than such a position. Specifically, the sensing means 10 includes a light source 11, a light transmitting unit 12 that propagates the light from the light source 11 toward the surface of the rolling element m, and a light emitted from the light source 11 and reflected by the surface of the rolling element m. And a light receiving unit 13 for receiving light.

The light transmitting portion 12 is disposed inside and outside the liquid L, and one end (rear end) of the light transmitting portion 12 serves as an entrance of light from the light source 11 outside the liquid L (on the interface K). Coordinated with
The other end (front end) side of the light transmitting section 12 serves as a light outlet for the liquid L.
Is coordinated inside (below the interface K). In the liquid L, an interval is provided between the tip of the light transmitting section 12 and the rolling element m in the storage section 3. However, with the above configuration, the light transmitted through the interface K is not affected by the interface K. Therefore, due to fluctuations of the interface K, etc.
Light can be stably transmitted to the rolling element m without scattering of light. The light source 11 may employ any lighting device, such as a fluorescent lamp, another light bulb, a device that emits laser light, or a device that emits electromagnetic waves other than visible light. In particular,
As described above, in order to supply light to the plurality of storage units 3... Arranged in a line at a time along the axial direction X of the holder 1, the holder 1 such as a fluorescent lamp or a laser light source is used. It is advantageous to employ a light source capable of emitting light having a width along the axial direction. However, as for the light source, a plurality of miniature light bulbs can be arranged along the axial direction of the holder 1. However, when the light source 11 is composed of a plurality of point light sources, as in the case of using the plurality of miniature bulbs, a strong part and a weak part are formed for the projected light, and the rolling elements arranged in a line are formed. It is difficult to make the inspection conditions uniform for m ... m. Therefore, a fluorescent lamp (especially an aperture tube), a halogen lamp, an LED, a semiconductor laser, or the like is particularly used as the light source 11 because it is long along the rows of the housings 3. It is desirable in that it can obtain a great light.

The light projecting section 12 is a transparent body made of plastic or glass. As shown in FIG.
The light projecting unit 12 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped transparent body. Floodlight unit 12
Has a lateral width at least approximately the same as the length of the row of the housing portions 3... Arranged in a row along the axial direction X of the holder 1 together with the light source 11. By having such a lateral width, the light projecting unit 12 can accommodate the housing units 3 forming a row.
Light can be cast toward all three. In addition, the light transmitting unit 12 includes a well-known angle adjusting unit (not shown) that can adjust an angle at which the sensing unit 3 looks down on the housing unit 3 at a sensing position. By providing such an angle adjusting means, even if the size or shape of the rolling element m changes, it is possible to respond finely.

The light receiving section 13 includes a lighting section 14, a light receiving sensor 15, and a determination device. Specifically, the lighting unit 14
Is a transparent body made of plastic or glass such as a prism. The light of the light source 11 emitted from the light emitting unit 12 toward the rolling element m is reflected on the surface of the rolling element m, and
4 and is received by the light receiving sensor 15. The light receiving sensor 15 uses a device having a light receiving element such as a CCD camera. However, the light receiving sensor 15 is not limited to a CCD camera, but may be implemented using another known optical detection device such as a line sensor. The light receiving unit 13 does not include the daylighting unit 14, and includes the light receiving sensor 15;
The present invention can be implemented even if only the determination device is used.

Since the light receiving sensor 15 is a precision electronic device, it is disposed outside the liquid L as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the lighting unit 14 is disposed inside and outside the liquid L, and one end (rear end) of the lighting unit 14 is arranged in the liquid L (below the interface K) as an entrance of the reflected light, and the lighting is performed. Part 1
The other end (tip) side of 4 is arranged outside the liquid L (on the interface K) as a light exit to the light receiving sensor 15. With this,
The reflected light is not affected by the interface K. FIG. 2 (A)
As shown in (1), the lighting section 14 is disposed such that the front end and the rear end thereof are substantially on a vertical line. But,
Although not shown, the daylighting unit 14 also includes a well-known angle adjusting unit, similarly to the light transmitting unit 12, and can adjust the angle at which the accommodation unit 3 is looked down. As for the end portion of the above-mentioned daylighting portion 14 serving as a light entrance, similarly to the light transmitting portion 12, the holder 1
3 have a lateral width at least approximately the same as the length of the row of the housing portions 3... However, it is effective that the daylighting unit 13 is formed so as to have a narrow width toward an end serving as a light exit, and condenses light in accordance with the dimensions of the light receiving sensor 15. (This is because, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to increase the width of the light receiving sensor 15 as much as the length of the row of the housing portions 3...).

The determination device (not shown) includes a light receiving sensor 1
The state of the surface of the rolling element m is detected from the state of light detected by 5 (for example, information such as the presence or absence of a flaw and the suitability of dimensions) is obtained, and the sorting means 7 is controlled to select the rolling element m. It is appropriate to use a computer for the determination device. In addition, the present invention is also applicable to a system in which an image captured by a CCD camera serving as the light receiving sensor 15 is determined by a person observing the image on a monitor (not shown). However, in normal work, it is more effective to make a determination using a computer in order to completely automate the inspection process. The above determination is made on the presence / absence, size, glossiness, and dimensional accuracy of the rolling element surface.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the sorting means 7
It includes a determination gate 70, a support 71 of the determination gate 70, a main discharge unit 72, a sub-discharge unit 73, and a drive unit. The main discharge part 72 and the sub discharge part 73 are respectively the rolling elements m after sorting.
This is a passage for discharging the gas to another. Discrimination gate 70
Is pivotally fixed to the support 71 so as to be swingable. A driving unit (not shown) is a power source such as a motor, and supplies a swinging power to the determination gate 70. By setting the distal end portion 70a of the discrimination gate 70 to be in an upright state, the rolling element m in the storage unit 3 that has moved to the sorting unit 7
Falls into the main discharge unit 72 without contacting the discrimination gate 70. When the discriminating gate 70 is in a state in which the discriminating gate 70 is tilted and the tip end 70a is along the peripheral surface of the holder 1, the rolling element m in the storage unit 3 that has moved to the sorting unit 7 is guided to the sub-discharge unit 73. Specifically, the storage unit 3
Of the rolling elements m rolls on the discrimination gate 70 and falls to the sub-discharge unit 73. For example, the main discharge unit 72 is a discharge unit of the rolling element m determined as a non-defective product as a result of sensing,
By setting the sub-discharge unit 73 as the discharge unit of the rolling element m determined to be defective as a result of sensing, the swinging of the discrimination gate 70 allows the discrimination between a non-defective product and a defective product. Of course, the roles of the main discharge unit 72 and the sub-discharge unit 73 for discharging non-defective products and defective products can be performed even if the roles described above are reversed. The swing of the determination gate 70 is performed by the operation of the drive unit as described above, and the operation of the drive unit is performed by a command from the determination device of the light receiving unit 13. That is, the above-described determination device performs both the determination on the rolling element m and the control of the operation of the drive unit based on the determination result.

As shown in FIG. 3, the number of the judgment gates 70 is the same as the number of the housing portions 3...
Similarly, it is provided along the axial direction X. Partitions 74... 74 are provided between the plurality of determination gates 70 arranged in this manner. The partitions 74... 74 do not come into contact with the holder 1, and the partitions 74.
Does not hinder the rotation of the holder 1. With such a configuration, accurate sorting can be performed for each rolling element m accommodated in each of the accommodating portions 3... In FIG. 3, the rolling elements M, M (above the determination gate 70 located at the leftmost position in the figure and above the second determination gate 70 from the right) are determined to be defective and fall down. Rolling over 70. In the tank 51, a transfer device such as a belt conveyor is disposed below the main discharge portion 72 and below the sub discharge portion 73, respectively (FIG. 2A). The sorted rolling elements m are carried to the outside of the tank 51 or another position in the tank 51 by each of the transfer devices. Even if the left and right edges of each judgment gate 70 are formed high without providing the above-mentioned partitions 74.
It can be implemented (not shown).

An example of an inspection system incorporating the above inspection apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. This system includes an NG signal control box 16, an image processing controller box 17, an image data display CRT 18, and a computer 19, in addition to the inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The light receiving sensor 15 is a CCD
A linear scan camera, which is a type of camera, is used. In this example, a light-collecting lens 15a is attached to a camera serving as the light receiving sensor 15 in order to increase the light-collecting rate. The NG signal control box 16 and the image processing controller box 17 are connected by a camera cable. The image processing controller box 17 and the image data display CRT 18 are connected by a line for outputting an NG signal. The image processing controller box 17 and the image data display CRT 18 are connected by a monitor connection cable. Further, the image processing controller box 17 is connected to a computer 19.

In the inspection system, the above-described determination device for the light receiving unit 13 is provided with an NG signal control box 16.
And the image processing controller box 17. That is, the image detected by the light receiving sensor 15 is sent to the image processing controller box 17. The image processing controller box 17 adjusts the sent image data to a state suitable for conversion. N above
The G signal control box 16 holds data that is a threshold value as a criterion for judging NG (defective product) and non-defective product. The change of the data serving as the threshold value is transmitted to the computer 19 via the image processing controller box 17.
Can be performed. In particular, the NG signal control box 16 can store NG (defective) data. Further, the computer 19 is capable of processing the detected image data and storing the data. The image processing control box 17 controls a driving unit that swings the determination gate 70 described above. Further, the image processing control box 17 has a function of adjusting data to be sent to the computer 19 to an appropriate one. The image data display CRT 18 is used when the operator directly observes the image of the rolling element m.

By using the system as described above, the inspection of the rolling elements m can be effectively automated, and the operation of sorting the rolling elements m with higher accuracy can be performed.
In addition, the setting of the threshold value for judging the size of a flaw, which is a sieve for determining whether or not the rolling element m is appropriate, can be implemented on the computer 19 by realizing only the software. In addition to the scratches, it is possible to determine whether the dimensions are appropriate. Specifically, the sensed rolling element m is
If the size of the small image does not satisfy the predetermined size, the range of the obtained image is narrowed. Therefore, by detecting this, the determination can be made. Also, as described above, by using the light receiving sensor 15 as a CCD camera, image data is obtained as a moving image, which is converted into a still image on the computer 19, and the data can be processed. . Further, in addition to those shown in FIG.
The determination can be performed only by the computer 19 and can be performed without using the NG signal control box 16 and the image processing controller box 17.
That is, a commercially available capture board may be attached to the computer 19 in order to obtain image data, and the computer 19 may hold the threshold value and perform comparison and determination on software.

In the above embodiment, the sensing means 10 employs an optical means. However, if the sensing means 10 is implemented by means other than optical means, such as sound waves such as ultrasonic waves, magnetism, electricity, etc. Is also possible. Further, in the case of employing optical means, the present invention can be implemented even if it adopts a configuration other than the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the liquid is an oil such as an anticorrosive oil. However, if necessary, a liquid other than the oil may be used. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used as the sensing means, water or the like can be used as a medium for ultrasonic waves.
Further, the apparatus of the present invention can be implemented not only in liquid but also in air or other gas, or in mist. When performing sensing in gas (atmosphere), tank 5
The sensing operation may be performed by draining the liquid from 1 and emptying the layer 51. Although not shown, when the test is performed only in a gas (in the air) as described above, the test can be performed without providing the tank 51 from the beginning. Further, when the test is performed only in a gas (in the atmosphere), the light transmitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 14 described in the above embodiment can be also performed without providing them. In this case, the influence of the interface K is not given. However, also in the case where the present invention is implemented in a form adapted to a gas (in the atmosphere), the configuration other than the above is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
Although one rolling element m is accommodated in one accommodating portion 3, the present invention is also applicable to a case where a plurality of rolling elements m... M are accommodated in one accommodating portion 3. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of storage portions 3... 3 are arranged in the axial direction X of the holder 1. It is also possible to have a width capable of accommodating the rolling elements m... M, and to carry out a plurality of rolling elements m.

Finally, the features of the inspection apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention include a sensing means 10 for performing sensing such as observation or measurement on the rolling element m, a substantially columnar base 2, and a periphery of the base 2. Cylindrical holder 1 that fits loosely on the surface
And a driving means for rotating the base 2 with respect to the holder 1. One or a plurality of storage portions 3 are formed on the peripheral surface of the holder 1, and the storage portion 3 is The surface of the base 2 is in contact with a rolling element such as a bearing housed in the housing part 3. The sensing means 10 senses the surface of a rolling element such as a bearing in the housing 3. By rotating the base 2 by the driving means,
It is possible to change the direction of a rolling element such as a bearing that comes into contact with the surface of the base 2 in the housing 3 and change the sensing part of the rolling element such as a bearing with respect to the sensing means 10. And
The sorting means 7 for sorting the rolling elements m based on the result of sensing by the sensing means 10 is provided at different positions in the circumferential direction r of the cylindrical holding body 1 with respect to the sensing means 10. By rotating the body 1, the device can move the storage unit 3 from a position corresponding to the sensing unit 10 to a position where the sorting unit is located. By adopting such a configuration, the inefficiency of the inspection process due to the linear movement from the supply position of the rolling elements m to the sorting position and the increase in the size of the apparatus, and the rolling elements m themselves, which were present in the conventional inspection apparatus, are obtained. This completely wiped out the danger that the rolling element m might be lost due to the movement, and that the rolling element m would be damaged by contact with others during the movement. Further, even in the case of performing an inspection on a plurality of rolling elements m, since the individual rolling elements m are placed in a frame of one storage unit 3 and a sensing operation is performed, it is necessary to accurately determine an inspection position. Can be.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the rolling element can be moved from the sensing means to the sorting means without increasing the size of the apparatus, and the movement can be performed reliably. . That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, at least the movement of the rolling element from the inspection position (sensing position) to the selection position for performing the selection based on the inspection result can be performed by a simple operation of the circular motion of the storage unit. In other words, the movement of the rolling elements from the inspection position to the sorting position is not a large linear distance movement as in the related art, but rather, the apparatus is made compact and the entire process of inspection (up to the sorting of the rolling elements based on the inspection results) is performed. It is effective in shortening the time. Since the movement from the inspection position to the sorting position is performed not by moving only the rolling elements but by moving the accommodating portion containing the rolling elements, the rolling elements move from the moving path during the movement. There is no fear that it will come off or be damaged by contact with others.

By implementing the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the direction of the rolling elements in the housing portion while obtaining the effects of the first aspect of the present invention. Therefore, when inspecting a plurality of locations for one rolling element, there is no need to prepare a plurality of sensing means or to move the rolling element to change the direction of the inspection location. That is, a plurality of inspections can be performed on each rolling element without changing the position of the storage unit. In addition, since the operation of changing the direction of the rolling element during the above-described inspection is performed independently of the operation of moving the rolling element from the inspection position to the sorting position,
Without waiting for sorting, data on the inspection results can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the operation of changing the direction of the rolling element under inspection is realized by the rotation of the base constituting the main body. Therefore, since inspection is performed at a plurality of locations on one rolling element, compactness of the device is not hindered.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when an optical inspection is performed on a rolling element in a liquid while obtaining the effects of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to perform the inspection from the outside of the liquid. The light projected toward the rolling elements in the liquid is not affected by the state of the liquid interface. That is, the projected light is not scattered by the fluctuation of the liquid surface or the subcutaneous is not refracted in an unexpected direction. Therefore, in the case where the rolling element is a steel ball or the like, even if the inspection is performed in oil for corrosion prevention, the corrosion prevention effect can be obtained without lowering the inspection accuracy.

By implementing the fifth aspect of the present invention, the rolling elements to be accommodated can be arranged along with the effects of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. Reliable inspection can be performed with one device.

By implementing the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously process a plurality of rolling elements while obtaining the effects of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention. For this reason, the inspection efficiency was remarkably improved. Further, even when a plurality of rolling elements are processed, the movement of each rolling element from the inspection position to the sorting position can be performed by rotation. For this reason, the device does not become bulky.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, while the effect of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention is obtained, one rotation of the circular motion of the housing portion is regarded as one cycle, and the rolling element is set in the housing portion. , Inspection, and sorting can be completed in this one cycle. For this reason, after the sorting is completed, the empty storage section returns to the set position by the above-described one rotation, and immediately receives the next rolling element into the storage section and starts each process. You can. In addition, a series of steps are all sequentially performed around the main body, which is effective in reducing the size of the apparatus.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operation is completed at the sensing operation position while the effect of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention is obtained, and at the same time when the accommodating portion is moved to the next step by rotation, The next compartment comes to the working position.
As a result, the rolling elements can be continuously processed, and the inspection efficiency is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of an inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inspection device.
(B) is an essential part enlarged schematic plan view showing a state in which the accommodation section 3 of the main body 100 and its vicinity are viewed in plan.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a main part of the inspection device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an inspection system incorporating the inspection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Holder 2 Base 3 Housing 10 Sensing means 100 Main body

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2F065 AA21 AA48 AA49 BB06 BB07 BB15 CC00 DD06 FF44 GG02 GG03 GG06 GG07 GG14 GG16 JJ02 JJ25 JJ26 LL01 PP11 QQ31 UU04 UU07 2G051 AA07 AB07 DA04 CB17 CA03 DA02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A main body (100) having an accommodating portion (3) capable of receiving a rolling element, sensing means (10) capable of performing sensing such as observation or measurement of the rolling element, and Sorting means capable of sorting, wherein the accommodation part (3) can be moved from a position corresponding to at least the sensing means (10) to a position where the sorting means is located by circular movement. Inspection device for rolling elements. 2. The main body (100) comprises a base (2) and a base
(2) The base (2) is movable with respect to the holder (1), and the storage part (3) is attached to the holder (1). Provided and holder
(1) is a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to the back surface, and
The rolling element housed in (3) comes into contact with the surface of the base (2), and at least at the time of sensing, the base (2) is moved with respect to the holder (1), so that the housing (3) 2. The rolling element inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the rolling element can be changed within the inside, and the sensing part of the rolling element can be changed. 3. The rotation of the rolling element in the storage section (3) by rotating the base (2) with respect to the holder (1). Claim 2
2. A rolling element inspection device according to claim 1. 4. The storage section (3) supports at least a rolling element during a sensing operation in a liquid such as oil, and the sensing means (10) includes a light source (11) and a light source (11). ) And a light source (11) for transmitting light from the
And a light-receiving sensor (13) for receiving light emitted from and reflected on the rolling element surface, and a light-transmitting portion (12) is provided over and inside the liquid, and the light-transmitting portion ( One end of (12) is arranged outside the liquid as an entrance of light from the light source (11), and the other end of the light transmitting portion (12) is arranged in the liquid as an exit of light. The rolling element inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The storage section (3) has at least one positioning section therein, and when a rolling element is stored in the storage section (3), the rolling element is moved toward the positioning section, The rolling element inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein positioning of sensing can be performed. 6. The main body (100) has a substantially cylindrical shape and is capable of circularly moving the accommodating portion (3) along the circumferential direction thereof. (100) are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of the housing portions (3) are provided on the peripheral surface of the main body (100).
The rolling element inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one is arranged in at least one row along the axial direction of the main body (100). 7. At different positions in the circumferential direction of the main body (100),
At least the setting work for accommodating the rolling elements in the accommodating section (3), the above-mentioned sensing work, and the above-mentioned sorting operation are performed.The accommodating section (3) is sequentially moved to the above-mentioned respective working positions by circular motion. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one rotation completes all operations on one rolling element and allows the next rolling element to be received. Rolling element inspection device. 8. Each of the plurality of storage sections (3) is provided at a different position in the circumferential direction of the main body (100), and at least a part of the plurality of storage sections (3) is provided with the sensing means (10). When in the corresponding position, at least a part of the other receiving part (3)
The accommodation unit is located at a position corresponding to the above-described sorting unit, and is located at a position corresponding to the sensing unit (10) in the circular motion.
(3) moves to the position corresponding to the sorting means, and the housing part (3) which was at the position corresponding to the sorting means moves to another, and along with this movement, to the position corresponding to the sensing means (10),
The rolling element inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage portion (3) located at another position can be moved.