JP2002333433A - Pin hole inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pin hole inspection device capable of preventing inspection omission of a pinhole. SOLUTION: This device has a constitution wherein a circulation means 35 passing a pin hole inspection region 8a is installed, and a loading part of an inspection object 1 is formed by plural rollers 30 arrayed in the direction crossing with the circulation direction of the circulation means 35, and a roller rotation means 40 for rotating the inspection object 1 around the symmetry axis on the pin hole inspection region 8a is installed, and high voltage application electrode 10 and a discharge detection electrode (20) are installed on the pin hole inspection region 8a, and an electrode brush in contact with the end part of the inspection object 1 is used as the high voltage application electrode 10, and an electrode brush in contact with the center part of the inspection object 1 is used as the discharge detection electrode (20), to thereby enable all-around pin hole inspection of the inspection object 1 supplied continuously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a product in which foodstuffs, chemicals, or the like are sealed in a container, if the container has a pinhole, bacteria or the like may enter the pinhole portion and change the quality of the contents. Therefore, in the case of a product in which a conductive content is sealed in an electrically insulating container, a pinhole inspection is performed in a manufacturing process. The pinhole inspection is performed by arranging a discharge detection electrode on a part of the container and arranging a high voltage application electrode on the pinhole inspection part. When a pinhole is present, a spark discharge is generated from the high voltage application electrode to the content through the pinhole portion. The presence or absence of a pinhole is determined by detecting the occurrence of discharge by detecting the current flowing at that time by the discharge detection electrode.

By the way, a pinhole inspection is performed on a product in which an axisymmetric container having electrical insulation is filled with conductive contents without gaps by using an apparatus shown in FIG. In a conventional pinhole inspection apparatus, FIG.
As shown in (1), a high-voltage application electrode 110 in which a conductive brush 114 is arranged from a ring-shaped outer frame 112 toward the center thereof is provided. FIG.
As shown in (2), before and after that, belt conveyors 132 and 134 for moving the inspection object 101 are installed. Further, above the entrance-side conveyor 132 and the exit-side conveyor 134, an entrance-side discharge detection electrode 122 and an exit-side discharge detection electrode 124 each having a conductive brush are provided.
Is installed.

In a pinhole inspection using this device,
First, a high voltage is applied to the high voltage application electrode 110. Next, the front half of the test object 101 is inserted into the center of the high voltage application electrode 110 by the entrance side conveyor 132, and the brush 114 of the high voltage application electrode is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the front half. At this time, the latter half of the inspection object 101 is the entrance side discharge detection electrode 122.
Therefore, the pinhole inspection in the first half is performed. Further, the inspection object 101 is moved to bring the brush 114 of the high voltage application electrode into contact with the outer periphery of the rear half.
At this time, since the first half of the inspection object 101 is in contact with the outlet-side discharge detection electrode 124, the pinhole inspection is performed in the second half. And by the outlet side conveyor 134,
The inspection object 101 is discharged from the center of the high voltage application electrode 110. In this manner, the pinhole inspection of the entire inspection object 101 is performed.

[0005]

The object to be inspected has been supplied to the above-mentioned conventional pinhole inspection apparatus as follows. That is, as shown in FIG.
1 is aligned with the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 130, and the partition plate 13 formed on the surface of the belt conveyor 130
1, the inspection object 101 is arranged and supplied to the pinhole inspection area 108a. The supply amount is, for example, 20
It was about 0 / min.

Recently, there has been a demand for an improvement in the processing capability of pinhole inspection. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to shorten the supply interval of the inspection object 101. However, in order to perform the inspection with the above-described conventional pinhole inspection apparatus, it is necessary to match the axial direction of the inspection object 101 with the transport direction of the belt conveyor 130 and supply them in tandem. There was a limit.

Further, in order to shorten the supply interval, it is necessary to reduce the interval between the partition plates 131 formed on the surface of the belt conveyor 130. However, in this case, it is difficult to supply the inspection object in synchronization with the moving speed of the belt conveyor, and when the inspection object 101 is arranged between the partition plates 131, the inspection object 101 Ride on 131,
There is a problem that the pinhole inspection cannot be performed.

As another countermeasure, a belt conveyor 13 is provided.
By increasing the transport speed of 0, the time of the pinhole inspection may be shortened. However, in the above-described conventional pinhole inspection apparatus, since the pinhole inspection is performed by moving the electrode relatively long distance along the axial direction of the inspection object,
If the transport speed of the object to be inspected is increased, the brush 114 may not be able to make sufficient contact, and pinhole detection may be missed. Therefore, there is a limit in shortening the pinhole inspection time.

Therefore, a plurality of pinhole inspection lines 1
05a and 105b were installed, and a pinhole inspection was performed in parallel to ensure processing ability. However, in this case, there is a problem that a large amount of line space is required and a large production cost is required.

On the other hand, in the conventional pinhole inspection apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10 (2), the brush 114 of the high-voltage applying electrode 110 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the axisymmetric container 101 and along the axial direction thereof. Move relatively. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 (1), the container 101 moves in the axially symmetric shape of the container 101 in the axial direction. Then, when the outer diameter of the object to be inspected is sharply reduced at the end portion 102 of the object to be inspected 101, the brush 114 that has been bent returns suddenly toward the center of the high-voltage application electrode 110. then,
There is a problem that the brush 114 cannot sufficiently contact the end portion 102 of the inspection object, and pinhole detection failure occurs.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 11 (2), the end 102 of the inspection object 101 may tilt toward the pinhole inspection portion 103. As described above, in the conventional pinhole inspection device, the brush 11 of the high-voltage application electrode 110 is used.
Reference numeral 4 moves relatively along the axial direction of the axisymmetric container 101. Therefore, the brush 114 is obstructed by the inclined end 102 of the inspection object 101 and
03 could not be contacted, and there was a problem that pinhole detection leakage occurred.

On the other hand, depending on the object to be inspected, warpage may occur as shown in FIG. 12 due to variations in the contents or the material of the container, or due to heat treatment in the manufacturing process. In this regard, in the conventional pinhole inspection device,
The tip of the brush 114 of the high-voltage applying electrode 110 is positioned on the back side 10 of the end 102 of the warped inspection object 101.
There is a problem that the pinholes cannot be detected due to the failure to contact the pin 2a or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a pinhole inspection apparatus which does not omit pinhole detection. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pinhole inspection device capable of reducing costs. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pinhole inspection device that does not damage an inspection object.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a pinhole inspection apparatus according to the present invention is a pinhole inspection apparatus using a product having a substantially axially symmetric shape as an object to be inspected. And a plurality of rollers arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of rotation of the circulating means to form a mounting portion for the object to be inspected, and a direction intersecting the object to be inspected with the circling direction. Rotating means for rotating the inspection object around the symmetry axis by forcibly rotating a roller on which the inspection object is mounted in the pinhole inspection region. A high-voltage application electrode and a discharge detection electrode are provided in the pinhole inspection area, and the high-voltage application electrode is an electrode brush that contacts an end of the inspection object, and the discharge detection electrode As electrode brushes in contact with the central portion of the object to be inspected, and allows a with the structure all around the inspection of the inspection object.

In this case, the electrode brush moves relatively along the circumferential direction while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the axially symmetric container. Therefore, the electrode brush can be surely brought into contact with the inspection object whose shape rapidly changes along the axial direction, so that there is no omission of pinhole detection.

Also, for an inspection object whose end is inclined toward the pinhole inspection portion, the electrode brush can be inserted between the inclined end and the pinhole inspection portion. Therefore, since the electrode brush can be reliably brought into contact, there is no detection omission of the pinhole.

Further, the electrode brush can be reliably brought into contact with the back side of the end of the warped test object. Therefore, there is no pinhole detection omission.
In addition, pinhole inspection can be performed simultaneously on both ends of the inspection object where pinholes are likely to occur. Therefore, the inspection time can be shortened, and the inspection cost can be reduced.

Preferably, the electrode brush is made of an amorphous metal or phosphor bronze. The amorphous metal fiber has a small shape change even after long-term use and can surely come into contact with the surface of the inspection object, so that the detection omission of the pinhole can be prevented. Further, since phosphor bronze has high conductivity, it is possible to prevent pinholes from being missed in detection.

Further, an outer peripheral surface of the roller is formed of a conductive material, and the discharge detection electrode is provided below the roller. This eliminates the need to contact the discharge detection electrode with an inspection unnecessary area where it is not necessary to perform the pinhole inspection. Therefore, the possibility of damaging the surface of the inspection object can be reduced.

In addition, a conductive portion made of a conductive material is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the roller in contact with a maximum outer diameter portion of the inspection object, and the discharge detection electrode is provided below the conductive portion. did. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Further, since the weight of the roller is reduced, the energy consumption of the roller rotating means is reduced, and the operating cost can be reduced.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that what is described below is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

First, a first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment, a circling means 35 which passes through the pinhole inspection area 8a is formed, and a plurality of rollers 30 are arranged in parallel with the circulating means 35 to mount the mounting portion 301 of the inspection object 1. Is formed, and the inspection object 1 conveyed by installing the roller rotating means 40 for forcibly rotating the roller 30 in the pinhole inspection area 8a.
Is rotatable, thereby enabling the entire inspection of the inspection object 1 continuously supplied.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a pinhole inspection process and a process before and after the pinhole inspection process using the pinhole inspection device according to the first embodiment. First, a belt conveyor 33 for mounting the inspection objects 1 aligned by the sorter alignment machine 7 and supplying the inspection objects 1 to the pinhole inspection area 8a is installed. The sorter aligner 7 is arranged on the side of the belt conveyor 33 so that the inspection object 1 is mounted on the belt conveyor 33 such that the axial direction of the inspection object 1 is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 33.
On the other hand, a belt conveyor 39 for supplying the inspection object 1 from the pinhole inspection area 8a to the packaging area 9a is installed.

The pinhole inspection device 8 according to the embodiment is installed in the pinhole inspection area 8a. First, FIG.
As shown in (1), a circling means 35 that passes through the pinhole inspection area 8a is provided. The orbiting means 35 includes a sprocket 36 connected to a rotation driving means such as a motor (not shown), and the chain 3 bridged between the plurality of sprockets 36.
7.

Then, a plurality of rollers 30 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals and are rotatably attached to the segments of the chain 37. The roller 30 is formed of a resin material or the like, and prevents high-voltage during pinhole inspection to prevent damage to each part of the inspection apparatus, and reduces the weight to save energy consumed by the orbiting unit 35 and the roller rotating unit 40. And reduce operating costs. The diameter of the roller 30 is preferably larger than the diameter of the inspection object 1. As a result, the number of rotations of the inspection object per one rotation of the roller increases, and the inspection time can be shortened.
Can be prevented from desorbing. On the other hand, the gap between the adjacent rollers 30 is made smaller than the diameter of the inspection object 1,
A mounting portion 301 is formed above the adjacent rollers, so that the inspection object 1 continuously supplied by the belt conveyor 33 can be mounted. As described above, the continuously supplied inspection object 1 can be transported to the pinhole inspection area 8a.

On the other hand, a roller rotating means 40 for rotating the roller 30 located in the pinhole inspection area 8a is provided. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the pinhole inspection area 8a in FIG. The roller rotating unit 40 includes a pulley 44 connected to a rotation driving unit such as a motor (not shown), and a drive belt 42 spanned between the plurality of pulleys 44. Then, the surface of the drive belt 42 is brought into contact with the lower end of the roller 30 located in the pinhole inspection area 8a. It is preferable that the drive belt 42 is formed of a high friction material such as rubber so that the roller 30 can be reliably driven to rotate. As described above, the inspection object 1 conveyed to the pinhole inspection area 8a can be rotated around its axis of symmetry. Thus, if the drive belt 42 is employed as the roller rotating means 40, the pinhole inspection area 8
Only the roller located at a can be rotated. Therefore, manufacturing costs and operating costs can be reduced.

With the use of the inspection apparatus configured as described above, it is possible to carry out a visual inspection of the entire inspection object in the inspection area. However, in the first embodiment, in addition to this, the high voltage application electrode 10 and the discharge detection electrode 20 for the inspection object 1 are provided in the pinhole inspection area 8a,
Enables pinhole inspection. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. The high voltage application electrode 10 is connected to a high voltage power supply 16. One of the discharge detection electrodes 20 is grounded, and a current measuring means 26 is connected on the way to enable detection of a discharge current. As the high-voltage application electrode 10 and the discharge detection electrode 20, a horizontally arranged plate electrode can be used, but in the present embodiment, a brush-type electrode that can always contact the inspection object 1 is used. Brush 1 for both electrodes
4, 24 are formed from a metal fiber material such as amorphous or phosphor bronze to a diameter of about 10 μm to 100 μm,
Gives flexibility. In particular, amorphous metal fibers have a small change in shape even after long-term use and can surely come into contact with the surface of the object to be inspected. Further, since the metal fiber of phosphor bronze has high conductivity, it is possible to prevent pinhole detection leakage.

High voltage application electrode 10 and discharge detection electrode 2
0 is arranged at a height at which the tips of the brushes 14 and 24 can come into contact with the inspection object 1. In addition, since pinholes generally tend to occur at the end 2 of the test object 1, the high voltage application electrodes 10, 10 are arranged at both ends 2 of the test object 1, and the discharge detection electrodes 20 are connected to the test object 1. 1 at the center. Thereby, the pinhole inspection can be simultaneously performed on both end portions 2 of the inspection object 1, and the inspection time can be shortened. The brush 14 of the high voltage application electrode 10
Is made equal to the length of the pinhole inspection portion of the inspection object 1. Brush 24 of one discharge detection electrode 20
Are arranged at a fixed distance from the end of the brush 14 of the high voltage application electrode 10 to prevent direct discharge from the high voltage application electrode 10.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the length of the high voltage application electrode 10 and the discharge detection electrode 20 be shorter than the mounting pitch of the roller 30 to the chain 37 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the plurality of inspection objects 1 do not contact each of the electrodes 10 and 20 at the same time, and it is possible to identify an inspection object in which a pinhole is generated when a discharge is detected.

A plurality of inspection areas may be set along the transport direction of the inspection object, and a high voltage application electrode and a discharge detection electrode may be provided for each inspection area. In this case, for example, in the first inspection area, a high-voltage applying electrode is arranged at an end of the object to be inspected, and in the second inspection area, a high-voltage applying electrode is arranged from the center to the end. Pinhole inspection can be performed. Further, for example, if a high-voltage application electrode is arranged at the end of the inspection object in both the first inspection region and the second inspection region, even if a failure occurs in the electrode of one inspection region, the high-voltage application electrode at the end of the inspection object can be used. Pinhole detection omission can be avoided.

The pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above is used as follows. It should be noted that any container having a substantially axially symmetrical shape having electrical insulation and enclosing electrically conductive contents can be used as the inspection object of the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment. For example, a vinyl container or a film container enclosing foodstuffs can be used as the inspection object. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to perform a pinhole inspection of an end portion of a container having a tapered shape in which one or both end portions 2 are sealed as an inspection object. In addition, in the case of the test object in which the contents are filled without gaps, the spark voltage that can generate a spark discharge greatly differs depending on the presence or absence of the pinhole, and thus the pinhole detection accuracy is increased. Further, in the case of such an object to be inspected, since the spark voltage of each part of the object to be inspected becomes equal, the pinhole inspection can be performed even at the position of the discharge detection electrode.
On the other hand, the object to be inspected is not limited to a container having a simple axisymmetric shape, and may be a container having a substantially axisymmetric shape that can be rotated by a pair of rollers and can continuously contact an electrode brush.

First, the inspection object is supplied to a pinhole inspection device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, first, the inspection object 1 is put into the drum of the sorter aligner 7. The sorter aligner 7 uses the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the drum,
The test object 1 is aligned in the axial direction. Next, the inspection object 1 is mounted on the belt conveyor 33. By sequentially supplying the inspection objects 1 aligned in the vertical direction from the side of the belt conveyor 33 in operation, the inspection objects 1 are mounted on the belt conveyor 33 in a state of being aligned in the horizontal direction. After transporting the inspection object 1 by the belt conveyor 33, FIG.
As shown in (1), the inspection object 1 is continuously supplied to the pinhole inspection device 8 from the end of the belt conveyor 33. Then, the inspection object 1 is mounted on each mounting portion 301 of the pinhole inspection device 8 at a constant interval.

Next, the inspection object 1 is transported to the pinhole inspection area. Specifically, the sprocket 36 is rotated by a motor (not shown) or the like, and the chain 37 spanned over the sprocket 36 is moved, so that the roller 30 attached to the chain 37 moves around. In this manner, the inspection object 1 mounted on the roller 30 is transported to the pinhole inspection area 8a by moving the roller 30 by the circling means 35.

Next, the inspection object 1 is rotated to perform a pinhole inspection. The test object 1 transported to the pinhole inspection area 8a includes a high voltage application electrode 10 and a discharge detection electrode 20.
(See FIG. 4). Since the test object is made of an electrically insulating material, a minimum voltage (spark voltage) that can generate a spark discharge in a portion having no pinhole
Vsa is the spark voltage Vs at the portion where the pinhole is located
greater than b. Therefore, the voltage V between Vsa and Vsb
By applying s to the test object, a spark discharge can be generated only in a portion where the pinhole exists. Thereby, a pinhole can be detected. Note that the object to be inspected for which the presence of the pinhole has been confirmed is removed from above the roller by a pusher or the like installed downstream of the inspection area.

When the roller 30 carrying the object 1 moves to the pinhole inspection area 8a, the lower end of the roller 30 contacts the drive belt 42. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the pulley 44 is rotated by a motor (not shown) or the like, and the drive belt 42 stretched over the pulley 44 is
By moving the roller 30 in the direction of 2a, the roller 30 contacting the drive belt 42 rotates in the direction of the arrow 30a. As a result, the inspection object 1 mounted on the roller 30 is
Rotate in the direction of a. Therefore, the high voltage application electrode and the discharge detection electrode can be brought into contact with the entire circumference of the inspection object 1, and the pinhole inspection can be performed on the entire circumference. In addition, the drive belt 42 is moved in the opposite direction to the above,
Thus, the inspection object may be rotated in a direction opposite to the above.

The roller 3 by the roller rotating means 40
The rotation speed of 0 is set to a speed at which the entire inspection of the inspection object 1 can be performed. As shown in FIG. 3, the test object 1 moves in the direction of the arrow 37 a while rotating, so that the test object 1 needs to be connected to the high-voltage application electrode 10 in order to enable the entire test of the test object 1. At least 1 between contact and passing
It is necessary to rotate. It is difficult to reduce the moving speed of the roller 30 by the orbiting means 35 in relation to the process capability. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation speed of the roller 30 by the roller rotation means 40, it is possible to inspect the entire circumference of the inspection object 1.

Next, the inspection object 1 after the pinhole inspection is packaged. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection object 1 after the pinhole inspection is transferred from the pinhole inspection device 8 to the belt conveyor 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the belt is supplied to the packing area 9 by the belt conveyor 39 and packed.

By using the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above as described above, the inspection processing capability can be improved. In this regard,
In the conventional pinhole inspection device, the axial direction of the object to be inspected coincides with the transport direction of the belt conveyor, the object to be inspected is arranged between the partition plates formed on the surface of the belt conveyor, and supplied to the pinhole inspection area, A pinhole inspection was being performed. Therefore, it has been difficult to improve the inspection processing ability by shortening the supply interval of the inspection object or the inspection time. Therefore, a plurality of pinhole inspection lines are set up, and the pinhole inspection is performed in parallel, thereby ensuring the processing capability. However, in this case, there is a problem that a large amount of line space is required and a large production cost is required.

However, the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment forms a circulating means passing through the pinhole inspection area, and a plurality of rollers are arranged in parallel in the circulating means to form a mounting portion for the inspection object. Then, by installing a roller rotating means for forcibly rotating the roller in the inspection area, the conveyed inspection object can be rotated, thereby enabling the entire inspection of the continuously supplied inspection object.

In order to perform a pinhole inspection with a conventional inspection device, it is necessary to supply the pinhole inspection area with the axial direction of the object to be inspected coincident with the conveying direction of the belt conveyor. When the pinhole inspection is performed by the inspection apparatus described above, the inspection object can be supplied to the pinhole inspection area with the axial direction of the inspection object orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the supply interval of the inspection object, and it is possible to improve the inspection processing capability. The supply amount of the inspection object in the conventional inspection apparatus is, for example, about 200 pieces / minute, but the supply amount in the inspection apparatus of the first embodiment can be, for example, about 400 pieces / minute. .

In the conventional pinhole inspection apparatus, the pinhole inspection is performed by relatively moving the high-voltage applying electrode along the axial direction of the inspection object, whereas the pinhole inspection apparatus of the first embodiment is used. In this case, since the pinhole inspection is performed by moving the high voltage application electrode relatively along the circumferential direction of the inspection object, the moving distance is shortened and the inspection time can be shortened. Therefore, the inspection processing capability can be improved.
Accordingly, there is no need to install a plurality of pinhole inspection lines, and line space and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In order to perform a pinhole inspection using a conventional inspection apparatus, it is necessary to arrange an object to be inspected between partitions formed on the surface of the belt conveyor. An inspection object had to be supplied on the top. In view of this, the supply device 260 shown in FIG. 9B is installed above the entrance of the belt conveyor 130. FIG. 9 (2) is a side view of FIG. 9 (1). In this apparatus, a plurality of inspection objects 101 put into a hopper 262 are separated at regular intervals by a star wheel 264. Then, after adjusting the rotation speed of the star wheel 260 to synchronize with the moving speed of the belt conveyor 130, the inspection object 101 is supplied onto the belt conveyor 130.

Here, in order to shorten the supply interval of the inspection object, the partition plate 13 formed on the surface of the belt conveyor 130 is required.
1 needs to be narrowed. But in this case,
It becomes difficult to supply the inspection object in synchronization with the moving speed of the belt conveyor, and the inspection object 101 is located between the partition plates 131.
However, there is a problem in that when inspecting, the object to be inspected 101 rides on the partition plate 131 and the pinhole inspection cannot be performed. Further, the manufacturing cost of the supply device 160 has been a problem.

However, in the inspection apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), a continuously supplied inspection object can be automatically mounted at a fixed interval on the mounting portion 301 between adjacent rollers. Therefore, the inspection object 1 is the belt conveyor 3
On 3 above, it is not always necessary to line up at regular intervals. Therefore, there is no need to supply the inspection object 1 in synchronization with the moving speed of the belt conveyor 33. Therefore, the supply interval of the inspection object can be shortened, and the inspection processing ability can be improved. In addition, the supply device 160 shown in FIG. 9B for supplying the inspection object at regular intervals becomes unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

When there is a space between the high-voltage applying electrode 10 and the container to be inspected, the spark voltage Vsb increases due to the electric resistance of the space, and no spark discharge occurs at the applied voltage Vs. Therefore, a pinhole is missed in detection. Therefore, the brush 14 of the high-voltage application electrode 10 must be reliably brought into contact with the pinhole inspection portion.

In this respect, in the conventional pinhole inspection apparatus,
As shown in FIG. 10B, the brush 114 of the high-voltage application electrode 110 relatively moves along the axial direction while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the axisymmetric container 101. Accordingly, the container 101 moves in a state where it is not in the axial direction of the axially symmetric container 101. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the outer diameter of the test object at the end 102 of the test object 101 suddenly decreases, the bent brush 114 moves toward the center of the high-voltage application electrode 110. It returns suddenly. At that time, there is a problem in that the brush 114 cannot sufficiently contact the end portion 102 of the inspection object, and pinhole detection leakage occurs.

However, in the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the inspection object 1 can be mounted above a pair of rollers in which rollers are arranged in parallel.
A roller rotating means 40 for rotating the object 0 is provided so that the object 1 can be rotated, and a brush-type high voltage application electrode 10 is provided above the pair of rollers so that the object 1 can be contacted. . In this case, the brush 14 of the high voltage application electrode 10
Moves relatively along the circumferential direction while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the axially symmetric container 1. During that time, the posture of the brush 14 remains unchanged. Therefore, even for the inspection object 1 whose shape changes rapidly along the axial direction,
The brush 14 of the high voltage application electrode 10 can be reliably brought into contact, and there is no omission in detection of a pinhole.

As shown in FIG. 11 (2), the end 102 of the inspection object 101 may be inclined toward the pinhole inspection part 103. In this regard, in the conventional pinhole inspection device, the brush 114 of the high voltage application electrode 110 is not used.
Move relatively along the axial direction of the axisymmetric container 101. Therefore, the brush 114 is obstructed by the inclined end 102 of the inspection object 101, and the pinhole inspection portion 10
3 was difficult to contact. Brush 114
Is pressed in a direction to further tilt the tilted end portion 102, so that it is very difficult to contact the pinhole inspection portion 103. Therefore, there has been a problem that a detection omission of a pinhole occurs.

However, in the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment, the brush 14 of the high-voltage applying electrode 10 relatively moves along the circumferential direction of the axisymmetric container 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the brush 14 of the high voltage application electrode 10 can be inserted between the inclined end 2 of the inspection object 1 and the pinhole inspection portion 3. Therefore, end 2
Object 1 tilted toward pinhole inspection part 3
Also, since the brush 14 of the high-voltage applying electrode 10 can be reliably brought into contact, there is no pinhole detection omission.

On the other hand, depending on the inspection object, warpage may occur as shown in FIG. 12 due to variations in the contents or the material of the container, or due to a heat treatment in the manufacturing process. In this regard, in the conventional pinhole inspection device,
The tip of the brush 114 of the high-voltage applying electrode 110 is positioned on the back side 10 of the end 102 of the warped inspection object 101.
There was a problem that the pinhole could not be detected and the detection of the pinhole was missed. However, in the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment, the inspection object can be mounted above the rollers, the inspection object can be rotated, and a brush-type high voltage application electrode is installed above the inspection object. As shown in FIG.
The brush 14 of the high-voltage application electrode 10 can be reliably brought into contact with the back surface 2a of the end 2 of the test object 1 that has warped. Therefore, there is no pinhole detection omission.

Incidentally, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3044448 has been proposed as a pinhole inspection device for relatively moving the brush of the high voltage application electrode along the circumferential direction of the axially symmetric container. In this apparatus, the object to be inspected is mounted on the conveyor belt such that the moving direction of the conveyor belt is orthogonal to the axial direction of the object to be inspected. Then, the inspection object is pressed from above and the conveyor belt is moved to rotate the inspection object. However, in this apparatus, since the object to be inspected is pressed from above, the object to be inspected which has warped cannot be separated from the surface of the conveyor, and cannot be freely rotated. However, in the pinhole inspection device according to the first embodiment described above, the inspection object is not pressed down from above, and the roller can apply a frictional force if the roller is in contact with the inspection object at a point. Thus, the warped inspection object can be freely rotated.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the pinhole inspection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a portion corresponding to line AA in FIG. The pinhole inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured such that the outer peripheral surface of the roller 80 is formed of a conductive material, and the brush-type discharge detection electrode 70 is installed below the roller 80 so that the outer peripheral surface of the roller 80 can be contacted. While doing
The brush-type high-voltage applying electrode 60 is formed to have a width equal to or longer than the length of the inspection object 1 so that the brush-type high-voltage application electrode 60 can contact the entire inspection object in the length direction. The description of the parts having the same configuration as the first embodiment is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 80 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal. That is, the roller 80
Need not be formed entirely of a conductive material, the core portion may be formed of an electrically insulating material such as a resin, and only the outer peripheral portion may be formed of a conductive material such as a metal. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Further, since the weight of the roller 80 is reduced, the energy consumed by the roller rotating means is reduced, and the operating cost can be reduced.

A brush-type discharge detection electrode 70 is provided below the roller 80. The discharge detection electrode 70 is disposed at a position where the tip of the brush 74 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller 80. Note that, instead of the brush-type discharge detection electrode 70, a conductive steel conveyor or the like may be provided at the position of the belt means 86 so that the functions of the belt means and the detection electrode may be combined. On the other hand, the brush-type high-voltage application electrode 60 installed above the roller pair is formed to have a width equal to or longer than the length of the test object 1, and the brush 64 can contact the entire length direction of the test object 1. And

In the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the brush-type high voltage
Since 0 is formed to have a width equal to or longer than the length of the inspection object 1, and can be in contact with the entire length direction of the inspection object 1, pinhole inspection over the entire surface of the inspection object 1 is possible. This point 1
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
In order to avoid direct discharge from the discharge detection electrode 20 to the discharge detection electrode 20, it is necessary to keep a certain interval between the high voltage application electrode 10 and the discharge detection electrode 20, and there is a portion where the pinhole inspection cannot be performed. However, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The roller 80 is used as a part of the discharge detection electrode by forming the surface of the roller 80 in contact with the inspection object 1 from a conductive material. Therefore, the discharge detection electrode 70 is
0, and the high-voltage application electrode 60 can be formed to have a width equal to or longer than the length of the inspection object 1. Therefore, pinhole inspection over the entire surface of the inspection object 1 can be performed.

If there is an inspection unnecessary area in the inspection object 1 where it is not necessary to perform the pinhole inspection, it is preferable to remove the brush 64 of the high voltage application electrode 60 which is in contact with the area. In this regard, in the first embodiment, even when there is an inspection unnecessary area, it is necessary to bring the brush of the discharge detection electrode into contact with the area, which may damage the surface of the inspection object. However, in the second embodiment, the discharge detection electrode 70
Is located below the roller 80, so that there is no need for any brush to contact the uninspected area. Therefore, the possibility of damaging the surface of the inspection object 1 can be reduced by eliminating the brush 64 of the high-voltage application electrode 60 that contacts the unnecessary area.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a pinhole inspection device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a portion corresponding to line AA in FIG. The pinhole inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment includes a conductive portion 182 made of a conductive material on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 180 that contacts the largest outer diameter portion of the inspection object 1.
Is formed, and the brush-type discharge detection electrode 170 is connected to the conductive portion 1.
The brush 164 of the brush-type high-voltage applying electrode 160 is set to a length capable of avoiding direct discharge to the conductive portion 182 while being installed below the conductive member 82 so as to be able to contact the conductive portion 182. . In addition, about the part which becomes the structure same as 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment,
The description is omitted.

In the third embodiment, a conductive portion 182 made of a conductive material is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a predetermined portion in the axial direction of the roller 180 that contacts the maximum outer diameter portion of the axially symmetric container. In FIG. 8, since the body of the inspection object 1 is the maximum outer diameter portion, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 180 in contact with the body in the axial direction is formed of a conductive material, and the conductive portion 182 is formed. I do. The outer peripheral surface of the roller 180 other than the core and the conductive portion 182 is formed of an electrically insulating material such as a resin.

A brush-type discharge detection electrode 170 is provided below the conductive portion 182. Discharge detection electrode 17
0 is located at a position where the tip of the brush 174 can contact the conductive portion 182. The belt means 186 is
In order to avoid interference with the discharge detection electrode 170, the roller 18
0 at both ends in the axial direction. Note that, instead of the brush-type discharge detection electrode 170, a steel conveyor or the like having conductivity may be provided so that the function of the belt means and the function of the detection electrode are also performed. In this case, the steel conveyor or the like is formed at the center of the roller 180 in the axial direction.

On the other hand, the length of the brush 164 in the high voltage application electrode 160 is set to a length that can avoid direct discharge to the conductive portion 182. More specifically, the length of the brush 164 immediately above the conductive portion 182 or in the vicinity thereof is such that only the tip portion contacts the DUT 1.
In FIG. 8, the tip 164a of the brush 164 is shortened for almost the entire length of the inspection object 1 in the longitudinal direction, so that direct discharge to the conductive portion 182 can be avoided.

In the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above, since the conductive portion 182 is formed only on a part of the roller 180 in the axial direction, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the weight of the roller 180 is reduced, the energy consumed by the roller rotating means is reduced, and the operating cost can be reduced. Since the conductive portion 182 is formed at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the roller 180 that contacts the maximum outer diameter portion of the axially symmetric container,
Contact with the roller 180 can always be maintained, and there is no omission of pinhole detection.

Further, in the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment, since the conductive portion 182 is formed only on a part of the roller 180 in the axial direction, direct discharge to the conductive portion 182 can be avoided. Specifically, the brush 164 of the high-voltage application electrode 160 may have a length that can prevent direct discharge to the conductive portion 182. Since the conductive portion 182 is formed in a portion corresponding to the maximum outer diameter portion of the axisymmetric container, even if the length of the brush 164 in the portion is shortened, it can be brought into contact with the DUT 1. It is possible and there is no omission of pinhole detection.

[0063]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pinhole inspection apparatus using a product having a substantially axially symmetric shape as an object to be inspected, provided with a circulating means passing through a pinhole inspection area, and arranged in a direction intersecting the circling direction of the circulating means. A plurality of rollers to form a mounting portion of the object to be inspected, the objects to be inspected are arranged in a direction intersecting the circling direction and can be transported to the pinhole inspection area, and the pinhole inspection area Rotating means for rotating the inspection object around the axis of symmetry by forcibly rotating a roller on which the inspection object is mounted is provided, and a high voltage application electrode and a discharge detection electrode are provided in the pinhole inspection region. The high-voltage application electrode is an electrode brush that contacts an end of the inspection object, and the discharge detection electrode is an electrode brush that contacts a central portion of the inspection object, and the entire circumference of the inspection object is inspected. Since the possible and with the structure, no undetected pinholes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pinhole inspection process and a process before and after that using a pinhole inspection device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pinhole inspection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a pinhole inspection area in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the pinhole inspection for the inspection object whose end is tilted by the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a pinhole inspection for a warped inspection object by the pinhole inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a pinhole inspection device according to a second embodiment, and is a front sectional view of a portion corresponding to line AA in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a pinhole inspection device according to a third embodiment, and is a front sectional view of a portion corresponding to line AA in FIG. 3;

9A is a plan view of a pinhole inspection process using the pinhole inspection device according to the first embodiment and a process before and after the pinhole inspection process, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a device for supplying an inspection object. FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a pinhole inspection apparatus according to the related art, wherein (1) is a perspective view of a high-voltage application electrode,
(2) is a side sectional view of the entire pinhole inspection apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a pinhole inspection by a pinhole inspection apparatus according to the related art, (1) is an explanatory view of a pinhole inspection for an inspection object having a tapered end, and (2) is an explanatory view of the pinhole inspection. It is explanatory drawing of the pinhole inspection with respect to the to-be-inspected object to which the edge part tilted.

FIG. 12 shows a pinhole inspection apparatus according to the related art.
It is explanatory drawing of the pinhole inspection with respect to the to-be-inspected test object.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... inspected object, 1a ... rotating direction, 2 ... end, 2a ... rear side, 3 ... pinhole inspection part,
7 Sorter aligner 8 Pinhole inspection device
8a ... pinhole inspection area, 9a ... packaging area,
10 high voltage application electrode, 14 brush, 16
... high-voltage power supply, 20 ... discharge detection electrode, 24 ... brush, 26 ... current measuring means, 30 ... roller, 3
0a: rotation direction, 33: belt conveyor, 35
…… Circumference means, 36 ……… Sprocket, 37 ………
Chain, 37a Moving direction, 39 Belt conveyor, 40 Roller rotating means, 42 Drive belt, 42a Moving direction, 44 Pulley, 60
... high voltage application electrode, 64 ... brush, 70 ...
High voltage application electrode, 74, brush, 80, roller, 81, central axis, 86, belt means, 101
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Inspection object, 102, end, 102a, back side, 105a, 105b pinhole inspection line, 108a pinhole inspection area, 109a
... packaging area, 110 ... high voltage application electrode, 112 ...
... Outer frame, 114 ... Brush, 122 ... Inlet side discharge detection electrode, 124 ... Outlet side discharge detection electrode, 130 ...
…… Belt conveyor, 131 …… Partition plate, 132…
… Inlet side conveyor, 134 ……… Outlet side conveyor, 16
0: High voltage application electrode, 164: Brush, 164
a: tip portion, 170: high voltage application electrode, 17
4 brush 180 roller 182 conductive part 186 belt means 260 supply device 262 hopper 264 star wheel
301 mounting section.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pinhole inspection apparatus using a product having a substantially axially symmetric shape as an object to be inspected, comprising a circulating means passing through a pinhole inspection area, and arranged in a direction intersecting the circling direction of the circulating means. A plurality of rollers to form a mounting portion of the object to be inspected, the objects to be inspected are arranged in a direction intersecting with the circling direction and can be transported to the pinhole inspection area, Rotating means for rotating the inspection object around the axis of symmetry by forcibly rotating a roller on which the inspection object is mounted is provided, and a high voltage application electrode and a discharge detection electrode are provided in the pinhole inspection region. The high-voltage application electrode is an electrode brush that contacts an end of the inspection object, and the discharge detection electrode is an electrode brush that contacts a central portion of the inspection object, and the entire circumference of the inspection object is inspected. A pinhole inspection device, which enables inspection. 2. The pinhole inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode brush is made of amorphous metal or phosphor bronze. 3. The pinhole inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the roller is formed of a conductive material, and the discharge detection electrode is provided below the roller. 4. A conductive portion made of a conductive material is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the roller pair in contact with a maximum outer diameter portion of the inspection object, and the discharge detection electrode is provided below the conductive portion. The pinhole inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: