JP2002350366A - X-ray test apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray test apparatus with superior ease of cleaning, in which a transported article is irradiated with X-ray and tested thereby, capable of testing articles that have moisture included therein or attached thereon and preventing the X-ray from leaking outside the apparatus. SOLUTION: A top board frame 31 supporting a flat belt 24 is formed like a hurdle. The top board frame 31 includes an aperture 36 extending perpendicular to a direction of transportation shown by an arrow (a) in which the X-ray penetrating the article is passed, and a plurality of apertures 38, 41, 42 being along the direction of transportation. The top board frame 31 also includes a pair of first shield sections 43, 43 that are disposed in front of and behind the aperture 36 so that the aperture 36 is sandwiched and have slope sections 43c, 43c in a direction in which a X-ray receiving section 5 is surrounded. In this case, the slope sections 43c, 43c are arranged at a tilt angle that prevents the X-ray, which enters the slope sections 43c, 43c, from entering the X-ray receiving section 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article being transported.
The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus that irradiates a line to detect metallic and nonmetallic foreign substances contained in the article, and belongs to the field of article inspection technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an X-ray inspection apparatus capable of irradiating an article being conveyed on a conveyor with X-rays and detecting metal and non-metallic foreign matter contained in the article. Generally, as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, such an apparatus is disposed substantially in a main body frame A and transports an article M from an article carrying-in side opening A1 to an article carrying-out side opening A2 in a direction indicated by an arrow a. Belt-type conveyor B and conveyor B
An X-ray generator C that generates X-rays and is disposed substantially above the center in the longitudinal direction of the X-ray generator, and an X-ray that is disposed below the conveyor B so as to face the generator C and passes through the article M (in the figure) , An X-ray receiving unit D for receiving the foreign matter in the article M by, for example, performing image processing on a signal received by the X-ray receiving unit D. It has become.

A conveyor belt B is provided on a conveyor belt B.
And a pan-shaped top plate frame F that supports the transport belt E. The top plate frame F has a slit portion F1 extending in a direction (transport width direction) orthogonal to the transport direction in which the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation section C pass, and reduces the contact area with the transport belt E. A plurality of openings F2... F2 are provided along the transport direction. Since these openings F2... F2 are provided, the articles M containing or adhering moisture on the conveyor B
Even if moisture enters between the transport belt E and the top plate frame F by transporting, the drive mechanism of the transport conveyor B is not overloaded due to an increase in surface tension and friction, and the article M Can be smoothly transported.

A case member G for accommodating and protecting the X-ray receiving portion D has a transporting device for passing X-rays through the upper surface immediately above the X-ray receiving portion D and guiding the X-rays to the X-ray receiving portion D. A window (not shown) extending in the width direction is provided, and the window is usually covered with a window member H made of carbon or the like having high X-ray transmission efficiency.

[0005]

However, such an X-ray inspection apparatus may have the following problems. In other words, while the top plate frame F is formed in a tapered shape, the conveyance of the article M is smooth, but the X-rays reflected by the window member H are not reflected in the opening as shown by thin dashed lines X2 and X2 in the figure. F2... F2, and there is a risk of leakage to the outside through the article carrying-in side and carrying-out side openings A1 and A2.

[0006] As a solution, an X-ray shielding portion for preventing the X-rays reflected by the window member H from leaking from the article entrance and exit openings A1, A2 before and after the window member H. May be provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the X-ray shielding portions I, I extending in the transport width direction with the window member H interposed therebetween are provided on the upper surface of the case member G, the thin dashed lines X2 ′, X2 ′, X2 ″ in the figure are provided. , X2 ", it is possible to prevent X-rays from leaking from the article entrance side and exit side openings A1, A2.

However, even in this case, a new problem may occur. That is, if dust or the like accumulates on the upper surface of the window member H, the X-ray detection sensitivity of the X-ray receiving unit D composed of a line sensor or the like decreases, so that it is necessary to clean the relevant portion. Is provided, dust and the like easily accumulate at the X-ray shielding portions I and I, and these X-ray shielding portions I and I hinder work during cleaning.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an X-ray inspection apparatus of this type which is capable of inspecting an article containing or adhering moisture and preventing the X-ray from leaking out of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus that can perform the above-described operations and has excellent cleaning properties.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that it is configured as follows.

First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an article conveyed by a belt-type conveying means is irradiated with X-rays from an X-ray source disposed above the X-ray source, and an X-ray is disposed below the conveying means.
The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects an article by receiving X-rays that have passed through the article at a ray receiving unit, wherein the transport unit includes an X-ray provided in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the article. A transmissive part, an opening provided along the transport direction of the article, and a reflective surface that reflects X-rays, wherein the reflective surface faces the X-ray receiving part with the X-ray transmissive part interposed therebetween. And a first X-ray shielding portion for preventing X-rays from passing through the opening from below.

According to the present invention, since the opening is provided in the conveying means in the conveying direction of the article, for example,
When the opening is provided in the top plate frame supporting the belt, the contact area between the belt and the top plate frame is reduced, so that it is possible to smoothly transport even an article containing or having moisture attached thereto. A first surface for preventing X-rays from passing through the opening from below by arranging the reflecting surface in a direction surrounding the X-ray receiving portion with an X-ray passing portion provided in the transport means interposed therebetween; By the X-ray shielding part,
X-rays can be prevented from leaking out of the device through the opening.

In addition, since the first X-ray shielding portion for reflecting X-rays is provided at a location near the X-ray receiving portion, which is a transporting means, the X-ray shielding portion has a large X-ray incident portion. It does not have to be of an area, so that the weight reduction of the device can be maintained.

Further, since the first X-ray shielding portion is provided in the transport means, even when a case member for housing and protecting the X-ray receiving portion is used, for example, the upper surface of the case member becomes flat, Good cleaning properties are maintained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, the reflection surface of the first X-ray shielding portion is configured to detect the X-rays incident on the reflection surface. It is characterized by being arranged so as not to be incident on the X-ray receiving unit.

According to the present invention, since the reflecting surface of the first X-ray shielding portion is arranged so that the X-rays incident on the reflecting surface are not incident on the X-ray receiving portion, the X-ray receiving portion is provided. , Only X-rays that have passed through the article are incident. Therefore, there is no erroneous signal reception that the X-ray reflected by the X-ray receiving unit is re-entered, so that no error occurs in the inspection result, and the reliability of the inspection is maintained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the X-ray receiving unit extends along the X-ray receiving unit and from a lower surface of the transport unit. , And a second X-ray shielding part whose upper part is in contact with the lower belt of the transport means is provided.

According to the present invention, the second X-ray shielding portion is
Along the X-ray receiving unit, the X
Since it is provided so as to cover up to the lower part of the line receiver,
X-rays that are reflected by the X-ray receiving unit and enter the X-ray shielding unit are blocked by the X-ray shielding unit.

Another effect is that the upper part of the second X-ray shielding part is in contact with the lower belt of the conveying means.
The dust and the like attached to the belt can be scraped and removed by the X-ray shielding portion, and the cleanability of the conveying means can be improved.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an X-ray inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 includes, for example, a carry-in conveyor (not shown) for carrying a packaged article M into the inspection apparatus 1, and an article after inspection. M is disposed between the inspection apparatus 1 and an unloading conveyor (not shown) that unloads the M from the inspection apparatus 1 and inspects foreign matters while transporting the article M in a direction indicated by an arrow a on a transport conveyor 3 provided in the main body 2. An X-ray generator 4 disposed substantially above the center in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 3;
An X-ray receiving unit that is arranged below the conveyor 3 so as to face the X-ray generating unit 4 and receives X-rays that have been irradiated from the X-ray generating unit 4 and passed through the article M (see a thick chain line in the figure). 5
And A video printer 6 and a data printer 7 for printing and outputting the inspection result in the form of image processing based on the X-rays received by the X-ray receiving unit 5 are arranged relatively above the main body 2.

The front and rear wall members 2a, 2a
b, a left and right wall member (not shown), a ceiling member 2c, and a conveyor 3 surround a rectangular parallelepiped inspection space 2 '. The front and rear wall members 2a, 2b
Has an opening 2 for the article carrying-in side and the carrying-out side rectangular in a front view.
a 'and 2b' are provided respectively.

Further, between the inside of the article carrying-in side opening 2a 'and the inside of the article carrying-out side opening 2b', shielding curtains 8, 8, for preventing leakage of X-rays outside the inspection space 2 '.
9, 9, 10, and 10 are arranged at appropriate intervals. Hereinafter, main components of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[Transport Conveyor and its Driving System] The transfer conveyor 3 has both ends at the article entrance side and the exit side opening 2.
a ', 2b' are arranged so as to protrude slightly from them. The transport conveyor 3 is configured such that an endless flat belt 24 is wound around an upstream driven roller 22 rotatably supported by a conveyor frame 21 and a downstream drive roller 23. .

Further, behind the X-ray receiving section 5 and relatively downstream of the conveyor 3, a drive unit 25 for driving the conveyor 3 is configured to extend in the transport width direction. Is arranged. The drive unit 25 has a drive motor 26, and a timing belt 28 is provided between a pulley 27 mounted on an output shaft of the motor 26 and a pulley (not shown) mounted coaxially with the drive roller 23. Is wound around, and the driving force of the motor 26 is transmitted to the driving roller 23.

<Top Board Frame> Above the X-ray receiving unit 5, between the driven roller 22 and the driving roller 23, a top plate frame 31 supporting a flat belt 24, which is a feature of the present invention, is provided. Are attached to the conveyor frame 21 and arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the top plate frame 31 has left and right side frame members 32, 32 which are bent in a predetermined shape and which are long in the transport direction, and which are bent into a predetermined shape to be described later. A plurality of front and rear top plate members (in the example shown in the figure, arranged at predetermined positions between the two side frame members 32, 32,
33..., 34... 34 are fixed to three front and rear L-shaped brackets 35. In this case, the front top plate members 33 ... 33 and the top plate members 33 ... 3
An opening 36 as an X-ray passing portion extending in the conveying width direction is formed between the rear top plate members 34... 34 slightly longer in the conveying direction than 3. A plurality of openings 37, 37, 38... 38 long in the transport direction are formed between the front top plate members 33.
A plurality of openings 39, 39, 40, 40, 41,... 4 long in the transport direction are provided between adjacent rear top plate members 34,.
1, 42... 42 are formed.

The front and rear top plate members 33 ... 33, 34 ... 3
4 will be described in more detail. That is, the front top plate members 33... 33 have four front, rear, left, and right sides bent by a predetermined size, and the front and rear bent portions 33a.
... 33b, left and right bent parts 33c ... 33c, 33d ... 33
d, and flat portions 33e... 33e. on the other hand,
Similarly, the four front and rear and right and left sides of the rear top plate member 34... 34 are bent by a predetermined size, and the front and rear bent portions 34 a.
4a, 34b... 34b, left and right bent portions 34c.
34d and 34e and 34e are formed. The left and right bent portions 33c ... 33c, 33d ... 33d, 34c ... of both top plate members 33 ... 33, 34 ... 34.
The lower ends of 34c, 34d.
5 and 35 are fixed to the upper surface by welding or the like.

The top plate members 33, 33, 34,.
Numeral 34 is made of a material having excellent corrosion resistance such as, for example, stainless steel, and has been subjected to embossing to form an uneven portion on the surface. Therefore, the top plate members 33... 33, 34... 34 directly facing the transport belt 24, and more specifically, the flat portions 33e. Since the contact area between them is reduced, the conveyor belt 24 and the top plate members 33.
It is effective in reducing the frictional force between 3, 34 ... 34.

<First Shielding Part> Above the X-ray receiving part 5,
A pair of first shielding portions 43, 43 extending in the conveyance width direction and having a substantially U-shaped cross section are provided at positions before and after the opening portion 36 so as to sandwich the opening portion 36 therebetween. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first shielding portions 43, 43
43a, horizontal plane portions 43b, 43b, and planar inclined surface portions 43c, 43c arranged so as to surround the X-ray receiving unit 5.
The left and right bent portions 33 of the top plate members 33 ... 33, 34 ... 34 are interposed via horizontal plane portions 43b, 43b.
c ... 33c, 33d ... 33d, 34c ... 34c, 34d
.. Are fixed to the lower end of 34d.

In this case, the vertical plane portions 43a of the front and rear first shielding portions 43, 43 are spaced apart from each other so as to be opened by substantially the same size as the opening 36. Also,
The inclination angles θ, θ of the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c (see FIG. 4).
When the X-rays reflected by the X-ray receiving unit 5 enter the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c, the X-rays do not leak from the article entrance and exit openings 2a ', 2b', and The angle is such that the X-rays incident on the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c are not incident on the X-ray receiver 5 again.

[X-ray Inspection System] As shown in FIG. 1, a transport width for passing X-rays emitted from an X-ray generator 4 composed of, for example, an X-ray tube is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling member 2c. A slit portion 2c 'extending in the direction is provided. Also,
An X-ray receiving unit 5 that receives X-rays that have passed through the article M is composed of, for example, a line sensor. The X-ray receiving unit 5 protects the receiving unit 5 from dust, moisture, and the like, and also prevents X-rays from leaking out of the main body 2. It is housed in the member 51. An upper surface of the case member 51 is provided with a rectangular window (not shown) for passing X-rays and guiding the X-rays to the X-ray receiver 5. It is covered with a window member 52 made of carbon or the like having high transmission efficiency.

[Second Shielding Portion] As shown in FIG. 1, a second shielding portion 53, which is another characteristic portion of the present invention, is provided on the front surface of the case member 51. That is, the shielding portion 53 is formed into a predetermined shape, extends in the transport width direction, and has an upper portion in contact with the lower traveling surface of the flat belt 24.

[Shielding Curtain] As shown in FIG. 1, the shielding curtains 8 to 10 arranged on the upstream side and the shielding curtains 8 to 10 arranged on the downstream side have the same configuration, so that detailed explanation is given. The description will be made with respect to the shielding curtains 8 to 10 on the upstream side.

The shielding curtain 8 is fixed to the upper inner surface of the front wall member 2a with bolts through the front end surface of a bracket 61 having a U-shape in a side view, and is disposed so as to hang down to the upper surface of the flat belt 24 of the conveyor 3. And the opening 2
a '. The shielding curtain 9 is fixed to the rear end surface of the bracket 61 with bolts, and is suspended from the upper surface of the flat belt 24 of the conveyor 3.
Furthermore, the shielding curtain 10 is fixed to an L-shaped bracket 62 in a side view attached to the ceiling member 2c with bolts, and is hung down to the upper surface of the flat belt 24 of the conveyor 3 to be disposed. 2b '.

Then, any of the shielding curtains 8, 8,
9, 9, 10, 10 also have a plurality of vertical cuts 8a, 8a, 9a, 9a,
10a are provided. The shielding curtains 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 are made of, for example, a rubber material mixed with lead.

[Operation of this Embodiment] Article M
Is supplied to the X-ray inspection apparatus 1, the article M is conveyed into the inspection space 2 ′ by pushing the shielding curtain 8 provided inside the article entrance side opening 2 a ′ by the conveyor 3. Further, the article M is conveyed toward the downstream side by pushing the shielding curtains 9, 9, 10, and 10 on the inner side of the main body 2 by the conveyor 3, and the article M is installed inside the article discharge side opening 2b '. The curtain 8 is pushed out and carried out of the inspection space 2 '. In the meantime, the article M is subjected to an X-ray inspection using X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation unit 4.

In this case, the top plate frame 31 for supporting the flat belt 24 is shaped like a blade, and the top plate frame 31 has a plurality of openings 37, 37, 38,.
38, 39, 39, 40, 40, 41 ... 41, 42 ... 4
2, the contact area between the flat belt 24 and the top plate frame 31 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly transport the article M containing water or to which the water adheres. The moisture of the article M is
The openings 37, 37, 38 ... 38, 39, 39, 4
41, 42, 42, and flow downward, and when placed near the conveyor 3, propagation of various bacteria due to water retention is suppressed, which is preferable in terms of hygiene.

On the other hand, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator 4 are reflected by the X-ray receiver 5, more specifically, the window member 52 after passing through the article M. In that case, the window member 52
Since the first shielding portions 43, 43 are provided above, the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c of the first shielding portions 43, 43 are arranged in a direction surrounding the X-ray receiving portion 5 in more detail. The opening 3 of the top plate frame 31
7, 37, 38 ... 38, 39, 39, 40, 40, 41
, 41, 42,..., And are prevented from leaking from the article entrance side and the exit side openings 2a ', 2b'.

Further, the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c
Since the X-rays incident on the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c are inclined at angles θ, θ such that the X-rays do not enter the X-ray receiving unit 5 again, only the X-rays passing through the article M are included in the X-ray receiving unit 5. Will be incident. Therefore, the reliability of the inspection is maintained.

As another effect provided with the first shielding portions 43, 43, the openings 37, 37, 38,.
39, 39, 40, 40, 41... 41, 42... So that the water flowing downward can be guided further downward through the upper surfaces of the inclined surfaces 43c and 43c of the first shielding portion 43. Therefore, propagation of various germs due to stagnation of water can be suppressed, and the area around the conveyor 3 becomes more preferable in terms of sanitation.

The X-rays reflected at an angle close to 90 degrees with respect to the incident angle behind the X-ray receiving unit 5 are driven behind the X-ray receiving unit 5 and extend in the transport width direction. The X-rays which are blocked by the unit 25 and reflected at an angle close to 90 degrees with respect to the incident angle in front of the X-ray receiving unit 5 are arranged in front of the X-ray receiving unit 5 and the upper part thereof is flattened. Second shielding portion 53 extending in the conveyance width direction in contact with the lower traveling surface of belt 24
, Leakage of the X-rays to the outside of the examination space 2 'is further prevented.

As another effect provided with the second shielding portion 53, the upper portion of the second shielding portion 53 has a flat belt 24.
The second shielding portion 53 can remove dust and the like adhering to the belt 24 because they are in contact with the lower running surface of the belt 24. Therefore, the cleaning performance of the flat belt 24 and thus the conveyor 3 is improved.

In the above embodiment, the inclined surface portion 43c of the first shielding portion 43 has a flat shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inclined surface portion 43c may have a curved shape.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An X-ray inspection apparatus is provided which is capable of inspecting an article containing moisture or to which moisture has adhered, preventing X-rays from leaking out of the apparatus, and having excellent cleaning properties. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is widely suitable for the X-ray inspection technical field which irradiates an X-ray to the article currently conveyed and detects the foreign material in the article.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the top frame.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a top plate frame.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing a measure for preventing leakage of reflected X-rays in a conventional X-ray inspection apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 X-ray inspection apparatus 3 Conveyor (conveying means) 4 X-ray generation part 5 X-ray receiving part 24 Flat belt 36 Opening (X-ray passing part) 37-42 Opening 43 First shielding part 43c Inclined surface (reflection surface) ) 53 2nd shielding part M article

Claims (3)

[Claims] An X-ray source irradiates an article conveyed by a belt-type conveying means from an X-ray source disposed above the X-ray source, and an X-ray receiving unit disposed below the conveying means passes through the article. An X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects an article by receiving a line, wherein the transport unit includes an X-ray passing unit provided in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the article, An opening provided along, a reflecting surface for reflecting X-rays, and the reflecting surface is arranged in a direction surrounding the X-ray receiving portion with the X-ray passing portion interposed therebetween, thereby lowering the opening in the opening. An X-ray inspection apparatus, comprising: a first X-ray shielding unit for preventing passage of X-rays from the X-ray. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflection surface of the first X-ray shielding unit is arranged so that X-rays incident on the reflection surface are not incident on the X-ray reception unit. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A second X-ray shield, which extends along the X-ray receiving section and covers a lower surface of the transporting means to a lower side of the X-ray receiving section, and an upper portion thereof is in contact with a lower belt of the transporting means. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit.