JP2003315272A - Apparatus for visually inspecting columnar parts - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for visually inspecting columnar parts capable of reliably separating conforming items from nonconforming items among continuously transferred columnar parts and discharging the nonconforming items. <P>SOLUTION: While aligning and transferring the columnar parts 2 of electronic parts such as columnar chip parts over a transfer path 1 of an oscillating type parts feeder A, the columnar parts 2 are visually inspected by an image pickup part 3 of the transfer path 1 and an image pickup means 4 on the appearances, shapes, and sizes, etc., of the columnar parts 2. A slope change region 5 for changing from an ascending slope to a descending slope so as to provide a gap between the columnar parts 2a and 2b is provided at a midpoint in the transfer path 1 of the oscillating type parts feeder A for the columnar parts 2, and a location sensor 6 for recognizing the arrival of the columnar part 2a is provided in the vicinity of the top of an approximately vertical line from the slope change region 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention inspects the appearance, shape, dimensions, etc. by an image pickup means while aligning and transporting columnar parts such as chip parts and wiring devices such as outlets in a vibrating parts feeder, and defective products. The present invention relates to a visual inspection device for a columnar part that discharges

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In FIG. 16 and FIG.
As shown in the parts feeder of No. 255755, parts 21 such as electronic parts and screws are provided in the vibration type parts feeder 20.
There is a device that inspects the image using the camera 22. This technique uses a sloped surface 24 that descends within a predetermined range of the track 23.
To form a descending inclined surface 24. When the preceding article 21a enters the descending inclined surface 24, the speed thereof increases, and a gap S is formed between the preceding article 21a and the succeeding article 21b. At this time, the computer determines the attitude and the like of the preceding component 21a from the image at this time.

However, since the separation is performed by increasing the speed of the natural fall utilizing the descending inclined surface 24, the article to be connected due to the drop rate becoming too fast or the track 23 being caught due to the state of the conveyed object. Two
There is a possibility that a phenomenon such as 1 catching up easily occurs and it is difficult to reliably separate and discharge. In addition, such an inspection apparatus is sufficient for the purpose of alignment or removal of foreign matter, but an inspection required to reliably discharge defective products and reduce the waste splash rate of non-defective products There was a problem that the machine lacked certainty.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can reliably separate good and defective columnar parts that are continuously conveyed and discharge defective parts. The present invention provides a visual inspection device for columnar parts.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a columnar component appearance inspection apparatus which conveys the columnar component appearance, shape, dimensions, etc. while aligning and transporting the columnar components by a vibrating part feeder. In a visual inspection device for a columnar component that inspects an image pickup section of a road by an image pickup means, a gradient that changes from an uphill gradient to a downgradient so that a gap is provided between the columnar components along a conveyance path of the columnar component of the vibrating part feeder. A change region is provided, and a position sensor for recognizing arrival of a columnar part is provided near the top of a substantially vertical line of the gradient change region.

Therefore, by providing a position sensor for recognizing the arrival of the columnar parts near the top of the substantially vertical line in the gradient change region, it is possible to reliably separate the high-speed continuous conveyed objects without using a complicated mechanical structure. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the position sensor provided near the top of the gradient change region according to the first aspect is inspected as an image pickup trigger sensor for recognizing arrival of each columnar component. It also serves as a position sensor for passing confirmation while imaging the imaging part of the target columnar part,
In addition, a nozzle hole for discharging columnar parts is provided in the second half of the gradient change area from the top of the gradient to the extent that the length of the columnar parts is not exceeded, and based on the non-defective / defective signal from the image processing device and the columnar part passage trigger. By ejecting compressed air or the like from the nozzle hole, the columnar component judged to be defective is discharged.

Therefore, in addition to the above effects, it is possible to generate an image pickup trigger signal, the defective signal, the passage trigger and the discharge operation are interlocked with each other, and variation in the discharge timing due to the speed change of the columnar part to be judged is suppressed, It is possible to reliably discharge defective products.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a columnar component appearance inspection apparatus, wherein at least two image pickup means according to the first or second aspect are provided above a conveyance path, and the columnar component conveyance direction is provided between the image pickup means. Is provided with an inverting means capable of inverting 180 degrees.

Therefore, the upper and lower two surfaces can be inspected in the parts feeder without using a complicated mechanical structure, so that an inexpensive and reliable appearance inspection can be performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein an image pickup CCD camera is used as the image pickup means according to the first or second aspect. It is characterized in that it is arranged in a substantially vertical direction of an image pickup section formed of a transparent body.

Therefore, the visual inspection of the upper and lower surfaces can be performed with the single imaging section.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection device for a columnar component, wherein the conveying surface of the image pickup section according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is formed in a V shape, and a CCD camera for image pickup is used. Is arranged in the vertical direction.

Therefore, it is possible to inspect and image two surfaces and one long side with one imaging CCD camera.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the conveying surface of the image pickup section according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is formed into a flat surface, and an image pickup CCD camera is provided. It is characterized in that it is arranged in the direction of approximately 45 degrees.

Therefore, it is possible to perform image inspection on two surfaces with one image pickup CCD camera.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component according to the first aspect, wherein the angle of the gradient changing portion in the gradient changing region is 160 to 160.
It is characterized in that it is set to 178 degrees.

Therefore, reliable separation and generation of the image pickup trigger signal can be performed during high-speed continuous conveyance.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the columnar component determined to be defective is discharged to the outside of the conveying path in the latter half of the gradient change region of the first or second aspect. And a photoelectric sensor or an image processing device for confirming passage for confirming that a defective product has been discharged by the gas discharged from the nozzle hole.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in inspection accuracy due to a discharge error of a defective product.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the stepped portion is provided in a gradient change region larger than the length of the columnar component parallel to the conveying direction of the columnar component. A rounded portion having a diameter equal to or more than half of the parallel length at the end of the step portion and a C on the upper portion of the step portion.
An image pickup device such as a CD camera is provided.

Therefore, the rear end face of the columnar component in the carrying direction can be inspected.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the gradient change is within a range not exceeding the length dimension of the columnar component from the top of the gradient according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. In the first half of the area, there is provided a carrying speed adjusting portion for delaying the carrying speed of the columnar parts.

Therefore, it is possible to surely separate the columnar parts, and it is possible to prevent an image processing error caused by the overlapping of the parts during continuous conveyance and a defect that the subsequent non-defective product is discharged when the defective product is discharged.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b), 1 (c), 2 and 3, a columnar component appearance inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has an elliptical shape. A vibrating parts feeder A provided with a circular transport path 1 is installed. While the columnar component 2 made of electronic components such as columnar chip components is aligned and transported through the transport path 1 of the vibrating parts feeder A, the appearance, shape, dimensions, etc. of the columnar component 2 are displayed on the image pickup unit 3 of the transport path 1. The appearance of the columnar component 2 is inspected by the imaging means 4.

At this time, the columnar parts 2 which have been sequentially arranged and continuously conveyed change their traveling direction when passing through the gradient changing region 5 which changes from an upward slope to a downward slope. There will be a slight gap between and. A position sensor 6 is provided in the gap to detect the arrival of the columnar component 2. Therefore, unlike the conventional one using the sliding of the inclined surface, the position sensor 6 catches the positional change of the columnar component 2 by utilizing the inclination angle of the top. This position sensor 6
For this, a non-contact type optical sensor or a laser sensor is used.

Further, in the gradient change region 5 where the upward gradient changes to the downward gradient, when the upward gradient angle is X °, the downward gradient is preferably 1.2 to 3X °.
It is also effective to set the downward gradient to 0 while the ball feeder having a large amplitude is being conveyed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, on the way of the conveying path 1 of the columnar part 2 of the vibrating part feeder A,
A position sensor for recognizing the arrival of the columnar component 2a near the top of the substantially vertical line of the gradient changing region 5 is provided by providing a gradient changing region 5 that changes from an upslope to a downslope so as to provide a gap between the columnar components 2a and 2b. 6 is provided. The position sensor 6 catches the columnar component 2a when the front end of the columnar component 2a conveyed along the ascending gradient of the conveyance path 1 arrives near the top of the gradient change region 5. The position sensor 6 is cut off when the columnar component 2a approaches a downward slope from the top, and the next columnar component 2b is detected in the same manner as described above.

As described above, the position sensor 6 for recognizing the arrival of the columnar component 2a near the top of the substantially vertical line of the gradient change region 5
By providing the above, it becomes possible to reliably separate high-speed continuously conveyed objects without using a complicated mechanical structure.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The appearance inspection apparatus for the columnar parts 2a, 2b, ... Includes a position sensor 6 provided near the top of the gradient change region 5.
Is used as an image pickup trigger sensor for recognizing arrival of each columnar component 2a, 2b ... And also used as a position sensor 6 for confirming passage of the inspection target columnar component 2a, 2b. Nozzle holes 10 for discharging the columnar components 2a, 2b ... Are provided in the second half of the gradient change region 5 in a range that does not exceed the length dimension of the columnar component from the top of the gradient.
Based on a non-defective / defective signal from the image processing device and a columnar component passing trigger, the compressed air or the like is ejected from the nozzle hole 10 to determine the columnar component 2a, 2 which is determined to be defective.
b ... is discharged. in short,
At the time of non-defective product determination, a signal from the position sensor 6 is sent to close the air, and at the time of defective product, a signal to open the air is sent to the air valve, and compressed air is ejected to convey the defective parts. It suffices if it is discharged from the path 1.

Specifically, the front end of the columnar component 2a is caught by the position sensor 6, and at the same time, the image capturing section 3 is imaged as an image capturing trigger sensor for recognizing arrival of the columnar component 2a.
Then, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 3, at the same time when the arrival signal of the columnar component 2a obtained by the position sensor 6 (a) is turned on, the image capturing start signal is sent to the computing unit 8 for the CCD as the image pickup means 4 in T1 seconds. The image capture start signal is output to the camera 7, and the image of the CCD camera 7 is immediately image processed (b, c) in T2 seconds, and the good / defective product is judged (d) in T3 seconds in the calculator 8. This pass / fail judgment result (d) is given in buffer 9 (e) for T4 seconds.
Accumulate as. The position sensor 6 is the columnar component 2
A columnar component 2 which is determined to be defective when the rear end of a passes.
In order to discharge only the air valve open signal (f) T5
The air is sent for a second and compressed air is discharged from the nozzle holes 10 provided in the conveyance path 1 to remove defective products.

The nozzle hole 10 for discharging the compressed air may have a circular shape, a square shape, or an oval shape. Then, the columnar component 2 determined to be defective is blown off by the compressed air ejected from the nozzle hole 10 and discharged to the outside of the parts feeder.

Similarly, when the front end of the columnar component 2b arrives near the summit of the gradient change region 5, the columnar component 2b is formed.
To catch. Then, an image capture signal is sent to the image pickup means 4 as an image pickup trigger sensor for arrival recognition,
The columnar component 2 that has entered the image capturing unit 3 is imaged, image processing is immediately performed, a non-defective product and a defective product are determined in the calculator 8, and the result is accumulated as a buffer 9, and the position sensor 6 passes through the rear end of the columnar component 2b. At that time, the open signal of the air valve is sent to convey path 1
Compressed air is ejected from the nozzle hole 10 provided in the to remove defective products. Then, this operation is repeated thereafter.

The objects of the visual inspection of the columnar component 2 are electrode peeling, electrode size, electrode extension, electrode foreign matter, work size, chipping, pinholes, substrate failure and the like.

FIG. 4 showing another embodiment of the image pickup unit 3
As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), at least two image pickup means 4 including CCD cameras 7a and 7b are provided above the conveying path 1 of the vibrating parts feeder A, and the first image pickup section 3a is provided. , The columnar parts 2a, 2b between the second image pickup section 3b
... is provided with a reversing means capable of reversing the conveying direction of the conveying path 1 by 180 degrees. Therefore, the upper and lower two surfaces can be inspected in the parts feeder without using a complicated mechanical structure, so that an inexpensive and reliable appearance inspection can be performed.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the image pickup section 3, in which an image pickup CCD camera 7 is used as the image pickup means 4.
The image pickup CCD camera 7 is arranged substantially vertically above the image pickup section 3 of the conveying path 1 whose outer edge is formed of a transparent body from the conveying surface of the gradient change region 5 to form one columnar component 2a, 2b. It is possible to perform visual inspection on the upper and lower surfaces of the imaging unit.

FIG. 7A shows a different embodiment of the image pickup unit 3, in which the conveying surface of the image pickup unit 3 is formed in a V shape, and the CC for image pickup is used.
The D camera 7 is arranged in the vertical direction, and one image pickup CCD
The camera 7 enables imaging and inspection of two sides and one long side.

Similar to FIG. 7A, in FIG. 7B, the conveying surface of the image pickup section 3 is formed into a flat surface, and the CCD camera 7 for image pickup is arranged in the direction of about 45 degrees, and one unit is arranged. CCD camera for imaging 7
Therefore, imaging inspection can be performed on the two surfaces.

4 and 7A, the image pickup means 4 is provided at least at two places above the conveying path 1, and the columnar parts 2a, 2b ...
Inverting means capable of reversing the image is provided, the conveying surface of the image pickup unit 3 is formed in a V shape, the image pickup CCD cameras 7 are arranged in the vertical direction, and four image pickup surfaces are picked up by the two image pickup CCD cameras 7. It may be possible to inspect.

6 and 7A and 7B, an image pickup CCD camera 7 is used as the image pickup means 4, and the image pickup CCD camera 7 is formed by forming a transparent body at the outer edge portion from the transport surface. The image pickup section 3 is formed in a V shape or a plane shape, and the image pickup CCD camera 7 is arranged in the vertical direction or substantially 45 degree direction, and two image pickup units are arranged. It is also possible to use four CCD cameras for image inspection.

Further, in FIG. 8, a step 11 slightly larger than the thickness of the columnar component 2 is provided in the latter half portion of the gradient changing region 5, and the image pickup CCD camera 7 is opposed to the traveling direction of the columnar component 2. Since the surface perpendicular to the traveling direction can be inspected, it is possible to perform a reliable visual inspection capable of distinguishing between a good product and a defective product.

In FIG. 9, an imaging C is used as the imaging means 4.
A CD camera 7 is used, and the CCD camera 7 for image pickup is arranged substantially in the vertical direction of the image pickup section 3 whose outer edge portion is formed of a transparent body from the transport surface, and the columnar parts 2a, 2b ... Allows visual inspection of the upper and lower surfaces, and at the same time CCD for imaging
The camera 7 faces the traveling direction of the columnar parts 2a, 2b, ...

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the angle of the gradient changing portion 12 of the gradient changing region 5 of the columnar component 2 is set to 160 degrees to 178 degrees, which will be described below.

The angle of the gradient changing portion 12 is preferably set between 160 ° and 178 ° when the columnar component 2 is conveyed at high speed. This is because when the angle of the gradient changing portion 12 is larger than 178 degrees, there is almost no gap between the columnar parts 2 that should occur on the gradient changing portion 12, and the position sensor 6 for workpiece detection is always on. This is because it becomes impossible to detect the arrival / passage of each columnar part 2.

If the angle is smaller than 160 degrees, the posture of the columnar component 2 is likely to be disturbed when each of the columnar components 2 passes through the gradient changing portion 12, so that defective products are discharged from the nozzle holes 10 and the subsequent steps. This is because a problem will occur in the. As for the concrete gradient changing unit 12, 177 degrees is optimum (ascending angle: 1 degree, descending angle: 2 degrees) in the small-sized component (□ 0.3 mm × 0.6 mm) of FIG. 1 for large parts (□ 1.6 mm × 3.2 mm)
The optimum angle is 68 degrees (climbing angle: 5 degrees, descending angle: 7 degrees). By setting the angle of the gradient changing portion 12 as described above, it is possible to reliably separate the columnar parts 2 and generate an imaging trigger signal during high-speed continuous conveyance.

At this time, the columnar parts 2 which have been sequentially arranged and continuously conveyed change their traveling direction when passing through the gradient changing region 5 where the upward slope changes to the downward slope. There will be a slight gap between and. A position sensor 6 is provided in the gap to detect the arrival of the columnar component 2.

Therefore, unlike the conventional method using the sliding of the inclined surface, the position sensor 6 catches the positional change of the columnar part 2 by utilizing the inclination angle of the top. As the position sensor 6, a non-contact type optical sensor or a laser sensor is used.

FIG. 11 shows an apparatus for inspecting the appearance of columnar parts for preventing the discharge error of defective products, which will be described below.

In the latter half of the gradient change region 5, a defective nozzle hole 10 for discharging the columnar component 2 determined to be defective to the outside of the conveying path 1 and a defective gas such as air from the nozzle hole 10 are discharged. The photoelectric sensor 13 for confirming passage or the image processing device 14 for confirming that the paper has been discharged is arranged.

In this operating state, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the image processing apparatus 14 determines whether the columnar component 2 is good or bad, and if it is good, the electromagnetic valve of the discharge nozzle hole 10 is turned off to stop the air. Then, the photoelectric sensor 13 for passage confirmation
If is OFF (passing is not confirmed), abnormal stop is performed, and if the photoelectric sensor 13 for passing confirmation is ON (passing is confirmed), a signal that enables continuous operation is output. Further, if the image processing device 14 determines that the product is good or bad, the solenoid valve of the discharge nozzle hole 10 is turned on, and if the photoelectric sensor 13 for passage confirmation is off, continuous operation is possible. If the sensor 13 is ON, a signal for abnormal stop is output.

In short, as the conveying speed increases, the photoelectric sensor 13 senses whether or not an abnormal flow of the columnar component 2 such as an electronic component has passed, and the result is matched with the air selection result. This is to prevent the inspection accuracy from deteriorating due to an error in discharging defective products.

13 (a), 13 (b), and 13 (c), a CCD camera 7 for image pickup is provided by providing a drop in the conveying path 1 of the columnar component 2.
This enables the front and rear ends of the columnar component 2 to be inspected, which will be described below.

As shown in (a), the gradient change region 5 is larger than the length L of the columnar component 2 parallel to the conveying direction of the columnar component 2.
And a diameter (0.5 mm or more at half the parallel length of the length L of the columnar component 2 at the end of the step 15).
XL), a rounded portion 16 and a CCD camera 7a vertically positioned above the stepped portion 15 and a horizontal position C
The image pickup devices 4a and 4b of the CD camera 7b are included.

When the arrival trigger of the position sensor 6 of the columnar component 2a is turned on, the front surface of the columnar component 2a is imaged by the CCD camera 7b positioned horizontally. After that, as shown in (b), the columnar component 2a is formed by the rounded portion 16.
Sliding down while changing the posture, and falls while the front surface of the columnar component 2a is in contact with the transport path 1 as shown in (c).

At this time, the CCD camera 7 positioned vertically
With a, the rear surface of the columnar component 2a can be imaged. The timing for capturing an image with the vertically positioned CCD camera 7a is to wait a predetermined time after confirming the passage of the columnar component 2a by the position sensor 6, that is, after the arrival trigger is turned off. Therefore, the front and rear end faces of the columnar component 2 can be inspected, and the accuracy of the quality determination can be increased.

FIGS. 14 to 15 are for ensuring the separation of the columnar parts 2 from each other in the gradient change region 5 and will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 15, a suction hole for delaying the conveying speed of the columnar component 2 is formed in the front half of the gradient change region 5 in the range from the top of the gradient to the length dimension of the columnar component 2. The conveyance speed adjusting unit 17 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C,
When the shape of the columnar component 2 such as the length is inspected using the CCD camera 7, it becomes difficult for light to pass through the edge portion 18 between the columnar components 2a and 2b which is the inspection object, and the edge portion 18 is accurately measured. Need to figure out. However, depending on the shape of the end face of the columnar component 2, when the columnar component 2 is continuously conveyed,
Since there is almost no gap between a and 2b, it may be difficult to detect the edge portion 18. Therefore, a suction hole is provided on the side surface of the transport path 1 as a transport speed adjusting unit 17 for temporarily stopping or speeding down. By sucking the side surface of the columnar component 2 through the suction holes, the speed can be adjusted and the columnar components 2a and 2b can be reliably separated. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Separation between the columnar parts 2a and 2b can be reliably performed,
It is possible to prevent an error in image processing caused by overlapping of parts during continuous conveyance, and a problem that a defective product is discharged even when the defective product is discharged.

[0060]

As described above, the visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component according to claim 1 of the present invention is arranged such that the columnar component is aligned and conveyed by a vibrating part feeder while the external appearance, shape, and
In a columnar component appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting an image pickup section of a conveyance path by an image pickup means, in the course of conveyance of the columnar parts of the vibrating parts feeder, a gradient from an upslope to a downslope is provided so as to provide a gap between the columnar parts. By providing a gradient change area that changes to a vertical line, and by arranging a position sensor that recognizes the arrival of the columnar part near the top of the vertical line of the slope change area, the arrival of the columnar part near the top of the vertical line of the slope change area Can be recognized, and high-speed continuous conveyed objects can be reliably separated without using a complicated mechanical structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein a position sensor provided in the vicinity of the summit of the gradient change region is used as an image pickup trigger sensor for recognizing arrival of each columnar component. It also serves as a position sensor for image confirmation of the passage and as a passage confirmation, and a nozzle hole for discharging the columnar component is provided in the second half of the gradient change region within the range from the top of the gradient to the length dimension of the columnar component. Based on the non-defective / defective signal from the processing device and the columnar component passing trigger, by ejecting compressed air etc. from this nozzle hole, it becomes possible to generate an imaging trigger signal, and the defective signal, passing trigger and discharge operation are linked, Variations in the discharge timing due to changes in the speed of the columnar parts to be judged are suppressed, and defective products can be discharged easily and reliably.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein at least two image pickup means are provided above the conveyance path, and the conveyance direction of the columnar component can be inverted by 180 degrees between the image pickup means. Since it is provided, the upper and lower two surfaces can be inspected in the parts feeder without using a complicated mechanical structure, which enables inexpensive and reliable appearance inspection.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein an image pickup CCD camera is used as an image pickup means.
By arranging the image pickup CCD camera in the substantially vertical direction of the image pickup unit whose outer edge portion is formed of a transparent body from the transport surface,
It is possible to perform visual inspections on the upper and lower surfaces of the imaging unit at the location.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein a conveying surface of an image pickup portion is formed in a V shape, and an image pickup C is used.
Since the CD camera is arranged in the vertical direction, one image pickup CCD camera can perform image inspection on two surfaces and one long side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein a conveying surface of an image pickup section is formed into a flat shape, and an image pickup C is used.
Since the CD cameras are arranged in the direction of about 45 degrees, it is possible to perform image inspection on two surfaces with one image pickup CCD camera.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein the angle of the gradient changing portion in the gradient changing region is 16 degrees.
Since the angle is set to 0 to 178 degrees, reliable separation and generation of an imaging trigger signal can be performed during high-speed continuous conveyance.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein a nozzle portion for ejecting a columnar component determined to be defective to the outside of the conveyance path and the nozzle in the latter half of the gradient change region. Since it has a photoelectric sensor or an image processing device for confirming the passage for confirming that the defective product is discharged by the gas discharged from the hole, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the inspection accuracy due to the discharge error of the defective product. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, wherein a stepped portion provided in a gradient change region larger than the length of the columnar component parallel to the conveying direction of the columnar component and an end portion of the stepped portion. In (1), since the rounded portion having a diameter equal to or more than half the parallel length and the image pickup device such as a CCD camera are provided above the stepped portion, the rear end face in the transport direction of the columnar component can be inspected.

In the visual inspection apparatus for columnar parts according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the conveying speed of the columnar parts is delayed from the top of the slope to the front half of the gradient change region within the range not exceeding the length dimension of the columnar parts. Since it has a conveyance speed adjustment unit, it is possible to reliably separate the columnar parts, image processing mistakes caused by overlapping of parts during continuous conveyance, and the problem of discharging subsequent good products when discharging defective products Can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic front view showing a slope changing region of a parts feeder of a columnar component appearance inspection apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side sectional view of FIG. (C) is
It is a sectional side view which shows the state which the top columnar component passed the top.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time chart based on the flowchart of FIG. 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a vibrating parts feeder with a reversing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a schematic perspective view showing a lateral rotation of a columnar component of the present invention with respect to an axial direction of a conveying path, and FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view showing a rotation in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of FIG. Is.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a gradient change region of a conveyance path according to another embodiment of the present invention is formed of a transparent body, and a CCD camera is installed to face it.

FIG. 7A is a view showing a transport surface of a transport path according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is formed in a substantially V shape, and a CCD camera is installed above the transport surface; and FIG. 7B shows a transport surface of the transport path. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the CCD camera is formed horizontally and installed above.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which a step slightly larger than the thickness of the columnar component is provided in the latter half of the gradient change region of the conveyance path according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the image pickup CCD camera is opposed to the traveling direction of the columnar component. It is an outline side sectional view.

9 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state in which an imaging unit formed of a transparent body is added to the gradient change region of FIG.

FIG. 10A is a schematic side cross-sectional view when the gradient changing portion of the gradient changing region of the conveying path according to the embodiment of the present invention is set to 177 degrees, and FIG. 10B shows the gradient changing portion 168. It is a schematic side cross-sectional view when the degree is set.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view including a photoelectric sensor or an image processing device for confirming passage for confirming that a defective product has been discharged by the gas discharged from the nozzle hole according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of quality determination of an image processing inspection according to the embodiment of FIG.

13 (a), (b), and (c) are schematic side cross-sectional views showing an operating state in the case where a drop is provided in the conveyance path of the columnar component of the present invention.

FIG. 14 relates to the columnar parts that are continuously conveyed in FIG.
(A) is a plan view seen from an arrow α, (b) is a side view showing a state of light irradiating a columnar component, and (c) is a plan view showing an edge portion of a camera image.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where the columnar parts which are continuously conveyed in FIG. 14 are separated.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire conventional parts feeder.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an inclined surface of a conventional parts feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Vibratory parts feeder 1 transport path 2 columnar parts 3 Imaging unit 4 Imaging means 5 Gradient change area 6 position sensor 7 CCD camera 8 arithmetic unit 9 buffers 10 nozzle holes 11 steps 12 Gradient change part 13 Photoelectric sensor 14 Image processing device 15 Step 16 are part 17 Transport speed adjustment unit 18 Edge part

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2F065 AA21 AA52 AA61 BB05 BB15                       FF04 JJ03 JJ09 JJ26 PP11                       UU04                 2G051 AA07 AB05 AB07 CA04 CA07                       CB01 DA06 DA13 EA11                 3F079 AD06 BA11 CA10 CA41 CB24                       CC03 DA15                 3F081 AA22 BA01 BB03 BC11 BC13                       BF15 CC18

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a columnar component, wherein the columnar component is aligned and conveyed by a vibrating part feeder, and the appearance, shape, size, etc. of the columnar component is inspected by an image pickup means of an image pickup section of a conveying path. On the way of transporting the columnar parts of the type parts feeder, a gradient change region that changes from an upward slope to a downward slope is provided so as to provide a gap between the columnar parts,
A visual inspection apparatus for a columnar component, comprising a position sensor for recognizing arrival of the columnar component near the top of a substantially vertical line in the gradient change region. 2. A position sensor provided in the vicinity of the top of the gradient change region serves as an image pickup trigger sensor for recognizing arrival of each columnar part, and also serves as a position sensor for confirming passage of the image pickup part of the columnar part to be inspected. In addition, in the latter half of the gradient change area, a nozzle hole for ejecting the columnar component is provided within the range from the top of the gradient to the length dimension of the columnar component, and the non-defective / defective signal from the image processing device and the columnar component passage trigger. The columnar component appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the columnar component determined to be defective is discharged by ejecting compressed air or the like from the nozzle hole based on the above. 3. The image pickup means is provided at least at two places above the conveying path, and the conveying direction of the columnar parts is 18 between the image pickup means.
The columnar component visual inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reversing means capable of reversing 0 degree. 4. An image pickup CCD camera is used as the image pickup means, and the image pickup CCD camera is arranged in a substantially vertical direction of an image pickup portion whose outer edge portion is formed of a transparent body from a conveying surface. The columnar component appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The transfer surface of the image pickup section is formed in a V shape,
5. A columnar component appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image pickup CCD camera is arranged in a vertical direction. 6. The conveyance surface of the image pickup section is formed into a flat surface,
5. The columnar component visual inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup CCD camera is arranged in a direction of approximately 45 degrees. 7. The appearance inspection apparatus for a columnar component according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the gradient changing portion in the gradient changing region is 160 to 178 degrees. 8. A defective product is discharged to the latter half of the gradient change region by a discharge nozzle hole for discharging a columnar part determined to be defective to the outside of the conveyance path and a discharge gas from the nozzle hole. A photoelectric sensor for confirming passage or an image processing device for confirmation is provided.
Alternatively, the appearance inspection device for a columnar component according to claim 2. 9. A step portion provided in a gradient change region larger than the length of the columnar component parallel to the conveying direction of the columnar component, and a radius having a diameter of half or more of the parallel length at the end of the stepped portion. And a CCD on the upper part of the step
The columnar component visual inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging device such as a camera. 10. A conveyance speed adjusting unit for delaying the conveyance speed of the columnar component is provided in the front half of the gradient change region in a range not exceeding the length dimension of the columnar component from the top of the gradient. The appearance inspection device for a columnar component according to any one of claims 1 to 9.