JP2006322750A - Article inspection device, weight inspection device, and foreign matter inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically correct the result of an inspection through easy verifying of the inspection results, by confirming whether the results of the inspection is correct or the probability of the inspection results, without having to make the production line stop. <P>SOLUTION: The weight inspection device 1 is provided with a weighing means 3 for weighing, while transporting the inspection object 2 in a transport direction Y; a control means 6 for comparing the weighed value by the weighing means 3 with the set value and determining and outputting the determination signal; a discharging means 7 for separating the inspection object 2 into acceptable and unacceptable by receiving the determination signal; an outputting means 9 for outputting the weighed value; and the discharge indication means 5 for outputting the mode-switching signal for discharging an inspection object 2a to the direction different from a transport direction Y for confirming the probability of the measured value. The control means 6 stores the measured value as the measured value for confirmation, by receiving the mode switching signal and outputs the discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a to a direction different from the transport direction Y; and the output means 9 outputs the measured value for the confirmation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection of an inspection object in an article inspection apparatus, a weight inspection apparatus, and a foreign matter inspection apparatus that inspects the inspection object while transporting it and sorts the inspection object into a non-defective product and a defective product according to the inspection result. The present invention relates to a technique for verifying results and a technique for correcting inspection results.

  Inspection equipment (weight inspection equipment, foreign matter) that inspects the weight of inspected objects conveyed during the production line and the presence or absence of foreign matter, and sorts the inspected goods into non-defective products and defective products according to the inspection results In the inspection apparatus), in order to accurately inspect the object to be inspected, it is necessary to verify whether the inspection result by the inspection means is correct at regular intervals. Conventionally, a method of verifying by comparing the inspection result by the inspection means of the production line with the inspection result in the stationary state by the external inspection means has been used. At that time, the production line was temporarily stopped. In addition, during operation of the production line, an operator arbitrarily selects one of the inspection objects, and stores the inspection result displayed on the display means when the selected inspection object has been inspected by the inspection means. In addition, the inspection object is taken out from the production line and inspected by an external inspection means in a stationary state, and the error is verified by comparing these two inspection results.

By the way, it is difficult to completely remove the low-frequency vibration component of the weighing conveyor in a weight sorter that weighs the articles to be sorted, and the conveying distance of the weighing conveyor is as small as possible so as not to reduce the sorting speed. Since it is desirable that the input value be short, the input value (dynamic weight value) input to the sorting unit is often different from the stationary weight of the article to be sorted, which causes an error in the inspection result. It was. For this reason, articles to be sorted with known static weight are transported and weighed several times by the weighing conveyor, and the sensitivity of the amplifier and AD converter is manually corrected so that the dynamic weight value is equal to the stationary weight for each weighing. Was. The weight sorter disclosed in Patent Document 1 below corrects the dynamic weighing value of an article to be sorted based on its static weight.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-95034

  However, in the conventional article inspection apparatus as described above, there is a problem that stopping the production line when verifying the inspection object significantly reduces the production efficiency of the product. Further, the verification work performed by the operator storing the display means requires skill, and this work may not be able to catch up if the production line speed (production capacity) increases.

  Further, the correction as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is to calculate a correction value in advance (before the actual operation of the weighing conveyor for conveying and weighing the articles to be sorted), and therefore during the operation of the weighing conveyor. It does not support automatic correction (dynamic correction).

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and it is easy to check whether or not the inspection result is correct when the inspection object is conveyed while stopping the production line without stopping the production line. Therefore, it is easy to verify inspection results, and to provide an article inspection device, a weight inspection device, and a foreign matter inspection device capable of automatically correcting errors in the inspection results during operation of the production line. Objective.

Next, means for solving the above problems will be described with reference to the drawings corresponding to the embodiments.
The article inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an inspection unit 3 that inspects the inspection object 2 (2a) while being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction Y, an inspection result by the inspection unit 3, and a setting condition. Control means 6 for making a comparison and outputting a judgment signal, discharging means 7 for receiving the judgment signal and sorting the inspection object 2 (2a) into a non-defective product and a defective product, and an output means for outputting the inspection result 9 in an article inspection apparatus 1 comprising
A discharge instructing means 5 for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y in order to confirm the certainty of the inspection result;
The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal, stores the inspection result as a confirmation inspection result, outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y, and outputs the output means. 9 is characterized in that the inspection result for confirmation is output.

The weight inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 2 compares and determines the weighing means 3 for weighing the object to be inspected 2 (2a) while being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction Y, and a measured value and a set value by the weighing means 3. And a control means 6 for outputting a determination signal, a discharge means 7 for receiving the determination signal and sorting the inspection object 2 (2a) into a non-defective product and a defective product, and an output means 9 for outputting the measured value. In the weight inspection apparatus 1 comprising:
A discharge instructing means 5 for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y in order to confirm the certainty of the measurement value;
The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal, stores the measurement value as a confirmation measurement value, outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y, and outputs the output means. 9 is characterized in that the measurement value for confirmation is output.

The weight inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 3, wherein the inspection object 2a is discharged a plurality of times in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means 5.
The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal and receives the substantial weight of the inspection object 2a every time the inspection object 2a is discharged, and further, the input substantial weight of the inspection object 2a. And a storage means for storing a statistical result calculated from the measured value of the inspection object 2a by the measuring means 3, and a statistical result output means for outputting the statistical result.

  5. The weight inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 4, wherein the substantial weight of the inspection object 2a discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means 5 is measured, for example, while the inspection object 2a is stationary. Or is input from the second weighing means 8 which is more reliable than the weighing means 3 such as weighing the inspected object 2a over a long period of time.

  The weight inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 5 is characterized in that the control means 6 displays the comparison result by comparing the statistical result with an allowable value stored in advance.

  The weight inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 6 is characterized in that the control means 6 corrects the measurement value based on a correction coefficient calculated from the statistical result.

The foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 7 inspects whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the inspection object 2 (2a) while conveying the inspection object 2 (2a) in a predetermined conveyance direction Y. 3, a control unit 6 that compares and determines the inspection result by the inspection unit 3 and the setting condition and outputs a determination signal, and receives the determination signal to make the inspection object 2 (2 a) a good product and a defective product In the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 comprising the discharging means 7 for sorting and the output means 9 for outputting the inspection result,
A discharge instructing means 5 for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y in order to confirm the certainty of the inspection result;
The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal, stores the inspection result as a confirmation inspection result, outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y, and outputs the output means. 9 is characterized in that the inspection result for confirmation is output.

  The foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 8 is characterized in that the control means 6 validates the mode switching signal only when the inspection result is determined to be defective.

  The foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 9, wherein the control means 6 includes weight detection means for measuring the weight of the inspection object 2 (2 a), and sets the measurement value of the inspection object 2 a by the weight detection means. The mode switching signal is validated when a pre-stored test piece weight is added.

  The article inspection apparatus, the weight inspection apparatus, and the foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 10 are inspected before and after the object 2a selected in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means 5. When any one of the objects 2 is determined to be defective, the mode switching signal is invalidated to prompt the mode switching again.

  According to the article inspection apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the inspection object to be compared for verification is arbitrarily selected from the inspection objects conveyed in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means. Then, the selected inspection object can be automatically taken out from the production line. As a result, it is possible to reliably and easily specify the inspection object to be compared. In addition, the inspection result of the inspection object by the inspection means is stored as the inspection result for confirmation, and since this inspection inspection result is output, whether the inspection result of the inspection object is correct without stopping the production line Alternatively, it is possible to easily confirm the accuracy of the inspection result. Thereby, the inspection result by the inspection means can be easily verified.

  According to the weight inspection apparatus of the second aspect, in the same manner as the effect of the article inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the verification is performed from among the inspection objects that are conveyed in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily select an inspection object to be compared, and to automatically take out the selected inspection object from the production line, so that the inspection object to be compared can be specified reliably and easily. In addition, the measurement value of the inspection object by the weighing means is stored as the inspection result for confirmation, and this inspection inspection result is output, so whether the measurement value of the inspection object is correct without stopping the production line. Alternatively, it is possible to easily confirm the certainty of the measured value. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily verify the measurement value by the measurement means.

  According to the weight inspection apparatus of the third aspect, the actual weight when the inspection object is discharged a plurality of times is input to the storage means, and in this storage means, the statistical result is compared with the measurement value by the measurement means. It is possible to calculate. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily confirm the certainty of the measured value by the measuring means.

  According to the weight inspection apparatus of the fourth aspect, the discharged inspection object is weighed by the second weighing means, and the actual weight of the inspection object inputted from the second weighing means is measured by the weighing means. This makes it possible to check the correctness of the measured value by the measuring means.

  According to the weight inspection apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the error of the measurement value by the measurement means is within the allowable range by displaying the comparison result obtained by comparing the statistical result and the allowable value. Will be able to.

  According to the weight inspection apparatus of the sixth aspect, when there is a difference (error) between the measured value of the inspection object weighing means and the actual weight of the inspection object, the production line is automatically stopped without stopping. Thus, it is possible to correct the error.

  According to the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the seventh aspect, similarly to the effect of the article inspection apparatus according to the first aspect or the weight inspection apparatus according to the second aspect, the foreign object inspection apparatus is conveyed upon receiving a mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means. It is possible to select an inspection object to be compared from among the inspection objects to be verified, and automatically take out the selected inspection object from the production line. As a result, it is possible to reliably and easily specify the inspection object to be compared. In addition, the inspection result of the inspection object by the inspection means (presence / absence of contamination) is stored as a confirmation inspection result, and this inspection inspection result is output, so that inspection of the inspection object can be performed without stopping the production line. It is possible to easily confirm whether the result is correct or the accuracy of the inspection result. Thereby, the inspection result by the inspection means can be easily verified.

  According to the foreign matter inspection apparatus according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to selectively take out the inspection object determined as a defective product that randomly occurs in order to confirm the contamination of the inspection object. For example, when a test piece is added to the inspection object and it is confirmed whether the inspection result of the inspection object by the inspection means is correct, the control means receives the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means. Since the mode switching signal becomes effective only when it is determined as a defective product, it is possible to selectively identify and inspect the inspection object to which the test piece is added.

  According to the foreign matter inspection device of claim 9, when confirming whether the inspection result by the inspection means is correct by adding a test piece to the inspection object, after the mode switching signal is output from the discharge instruction means, It is possible to prevent an object to be inspected with a foreign object to be detected from being erroneously identified as an object to be inspected with a test piece added.

  According to the article inspection device, the weight inspection device, and the foreign matter inspection device according to claim 10, the inspection object determined as a defective product in the inspection object discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means It is possible to prevent the inspection object to be compared from being mixed and the operator from taking out an erroneous inspection object (not the comparison object).

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an article inspection apparatus (weight inspection apparatus) according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the main part in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the article inspection apparatus (weight inspection apparatus, foreign object inspection apparatus) of the present invention constitutes a part of a production line, and inspects (measures the measured value while conveying the inspection object 2 on the conveyor 4. Calculation, detection of presence / absence of contamination), and sorting the inspection object 2 into a non-defective product and a defective product according to the inspection result. In the article inspection apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the selected inspection object 2 (2a) is automatically discharged in a direction different from the transport direction Y after the inspection is completed, and the discharged inspection object 2a is placed outside the production line. The gist is to obtain a more reliable test result than the test result, and to compare and verify these test results.

First embodiment (weight inspection apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display state on the display means of the weight inspection apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart, and FIG.
Note that the operation flowchart of FIG. 4 shows operations corresponding to each part of the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The weight inspection apparatus 1 as the first embodiment of the article inspection apparatus calculates a measurement value while conveying the inspection object 2, compares the measurement value with a set value, and sets the inspection object 2 as a non-defective product. It sorts out defective products.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main parts of the weight inspection apparatus 1 are weighing means 3 as inspection means, discharge instruction means 5, control means 6, discharge means 7, and second weighing means 8 (FIG. 2). 1) and output means 9.

  The weighing means 3 measures the actual weight of the inspection object 2 conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 4 and the conveyance conveyor 4 that conveys the inspection object 2 continuously in a predetermined conveyance direction Y with an appropriate interval. And a measurement value calculation means (not shown) for calculating a measurement value of the inspection object 2 based on the substantial weight. The weighing means 3 measures (dynamic weighing) while conveying the object 2 to be inspected.

  A discharge button 5 (see FIG. 3) as a discharge instruction means is provided in the output means described later. The discharge button 5 arbitrarily selects the inspection object 2 (2a) immediately before being sent to the weighing means 3, and discharge means described later when the measurement value of the selected inspection object 2a is calculated by the weighing means 3. Is operated to output a mode switching signal instructing to discharge in a direction different from the conveyance direction Y. In the first embodiment, the selected inspection object 2a is discharged by the discharge means. However, a dedicated discharge means may be provided separately and discharged in a direction different from the transport direction Y.

  The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 and stores the measured value as a confirmation measured value, and outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y. The control means 6 compares the weighing value calculated by the weighing means 3 with a preset set value, and judges the inspection object 2 as a non-defective product or a defective product (not shown), and mode switching Each time the inspection object 2a is discharged in response to the signal, the actual weight of the inspection object 2a is input, and a memory for storing a statistical result calculated from the input actual weight and the measured value by the measuring means 3 is stored. Means (not shown) and statistical result output means (not shown) for outputting the statistical results to the output means.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge arm 7 serving as the discharge means described above intersects the conveyance direction Y with a basic position parallel to the conveyance direction Y through which the inspection object 2 conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 4 passes as it is. It is configured to be swingable by a driving force of an actuator or the like between an operation position for blocking the object 2 to be conveyed. The discharge arm 7 receives the determination data of the control means 6 and sorts the inspection object 2 into a non-defective product and a defective product according to the determination result. In the first embodiment, the inspection object 2 determined to be defective is discharged by the discharge arm 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the discharge object can be discharged by blowing air or transported. An opening may be opened on the conveyor 4, and the inspection object 2 may be dropped and discharged.

  The second weighing means 8 is provided outside the production line and measures the substantial weight of the inspection object 2a discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 in a stationary state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display means 9 as the output means described above includes a mode display section 20, a measurement value display section 21 that displays the measurement value of the inspection object 2 a calculated by the measurement means 3, and A discharge button 5, a real weight display unit 22 for displaying a real weight measured by the second weighing means of the inspection object 2a discharged in response to a mode switching signal from the discharge button 5, and a statistical result display unit 23 And a clear button 24 for clearing each information on the display screen. Further, the statistical result display unit 23 displays a difference statistic of the average value (X-bar), the average standard deviation (S), and the number of discharges (Count) (the measured value in the first measuring unit−the measured value in the second measuring unit). Real weight) is displayed.

  Note that the weighing value calculated by the weighing means 3 is automatically input to the display means 6, but the actual weight measured by the second weighing means 8 is performed either manually or automatically. May be. In the case of automatic input, it is possible to prevent erroneous input of numerical values by inputting numerical values using communication means.

  Here, a procedure for confirming whether or not the measurement value of the inspected object 2a calculated by the measurement means 3 in the first embodiment is correct or the probability of the measurement value will be described.

  First, the discharge button 5 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. Thus, the inspection object 2a immediately before the weighing means 3 among the inspection objects 2 conveyed by the conveyor 4 is selected as a comparison target.

  Next, after the weighing by the weighing means 3 is finished, the object 2a discharged by the discharge arm 7 in a direction different from the transport direction Y is moved to the second weighing means 8 (see FIG. 1). At this time, the measured value of the inspection object 2 a calculated by the measuring means 3 is displayed on the measured value display section 21 of the display means 9.

  Next, the inspection object 2 a is weighed by the second weighing means 8.

  Finally, a statistical result is calculated by comparing the measured value of the inspected object 2a by the measuring means 3 with the actual weight of the inspected object 2a by the second measuring means 8, and a statistical result display section of the display means 9 21. Based on the statistical result, whether or not the measured value by the measuring means 3 is correct or the certainty of the measured value is confirmed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation | movement from measurement to discharge | emission of the to-be-inspected object 2 (2a) in 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the weighing means 3 performs a weighing process for the inspection object 2 (2a) (S1). In this weighing process, the actual weight is weighed while conveying the inspection object 2 (2a), and the actual weight is converted into a digital value.
Next, the weighing means 3 performs a measured value calculation process for obtaining a measured value by correcting the digital value of the actual weight of the inspection object 2 (2a) obtained by the measured process with a correction coefficient (S2). It should be noted that a plurality of correction factors are provided in the weighing means 3 to correct the difference (error) between the actual weight of the inspection object 2 and the measurement value measured while the inspection object 2 is being transported before the production line is fully operational. This coefficient is calculated by circulation and is stored in the measuring means 3.

  Next, the control means 6 determines whether or not the discharge button 5 has been pressed (S3). At this time, if the discharge button 5 is not pressed, the process shifts to the normal measurement mode. On the other hand, if the discharge button 5 is pressed, the mode confirmation signal is received from the discharge button 5 and the mode is shifted to the measurement confirmation mode.

  Here, the operation in the normal measurement mode and the operation in the measurement confirmation mode will be described separately.

Normal Weighing Mode In this normal weighing mode, the weighing value calculated by the weighing means 3 is compared with a preset good product range (limit comparison) to determine whether the measured value is within the good product range ( S4). At this time, when the measured value is within the non-defective range, the inspection object 2 is determined as non-defective. On the other hand, when the measured value is out of the non-defective product range, the inspection object 2 is determined as a defective product.
Next, the control means 6 determines the discharge direction of the inspection object 2 according to the determination result (S5).

  Next, the display means 9 displays the measured value determined by the control means 6 based on the measured value by the measuring means 3 (S6).

  Finally, the discharge arm 7 receives the discharge direction determination result from the control means 6 and discharges the inspection object 2 in a predetermined direction (S7). Here, when the inspection object 2 is a non-defective product, the discharge arm 7 is not operated and is directly conveyed in the conveyance direction Y. When the inspection object 2 is defective, the discharge arm 7 is operated to prevent the inspection object 2 from being conveyed and to discharge the inspection object 2 in a direction different from the conveyance direction Y.

Weighing confirmation mode In this weighing confirmation mode, the discharge direction of the inspection object 2a is forcibly determined (S8).

  Next, the display means 9 displays the measurement value of the discharged inspection object 2a by the measurement means 3 (S9).

  Finally, the discharge arm 7 (discharge means) receives the discharge direction determination result from the control means 6 and discharges the inspection object 2a in a predetermined direction (S7). Here, the discharge arm 7 is forcibly actuated to prevent the inspection object 2a from being conveyed and to discharge the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the conveyance direction Y.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation for correcting the error of the measured value by the measuring means 3 of the inspection object 2 (2a) in the control means 6 of the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the actual weight of the inspection object 2a measured by the second measuring means 8 is input (S11).

  Next, the control means 6 determines whether or not to manually input the actual weight of the inspection object 2a measured by the second weighing means 8 (S12). If it is determined that the input is other than manual input, it is determined whether or not the actual weight of the inspection object 2a is input by communication (S13). When it is determined that the input is not communication input, the process returns to the manual input determination again.

  Next, when the substantial weight of the inspection object 2a is input manually or through communication, the control means 6 calculates statistics of these numerical values (S14).

  Next, the control means 6 compares the calculated statistical result value with a preset allowable value (limit comparison) (S15).

  Next, the control means 6 determines whether or not the statistical result is within an allowable range of the allowable value (S16). At this time, if the statistical result is determined to be outside the allowable range of the allowable value, a correction coefficient is calculated from the statistical result and the allowable value (S17). The calculated correction coefficient updates the correction coefficient stored in advance.

  Finally, the actual weight of the object to be weighed 2a input manually or through communication is displayed on the actual weight display unit 22 of the display means 9 and the statistical result is displayed on the statistical result display unit 23.

  According to the first embodiment, the inspection object 2a to be compared for verification is arbitrarily selected from the inspection objects 2 conveyed by pressing the discharge button 5, and the selected object is selected. The inspection object 2a can be automatically taken out from the production line, and the inspection object 2a to be compared can be specified reliably and easily. Further, since the measurement value of the inspection object 2a by the weighing means 3 is stored as the inspection result for confirmation and the inspection result for confirmation is output, the measurement value of the inspection object 2a is correct without stopping the production line. It is possible to easily confirm whether or not the measurement value is correct. Thereby, the measurement value by the measurement means 3 can be easily verified.

  Further, the actual weight when the inspected object 2a is discharged a plurality of times is input to the storage means, and in this storage means, the statistical result can be calculated by comparing with the measured value by the measuring means 3. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily confirm the certainty of the measured value by the measuring means 3.

  Further, the inspection object 2a discharged by pressing the discharge button 5 is weighed by the second weighing means 8, and the actual weight of the inspection object 2a inputted from the second weighing means 8 is measured by the weighing means 3. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the correctness of the measured value by the measuring unit 3.

  In addition, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the error of the measurement value by the measurement unit 3 is within the allowable range by displaying the comparison result comparing the statistical result of the inspection object 2a and the allowable value on the display unit 9. Will be able to.

  Further, when there is a difference (error) between the measured value of the measuring object 3 of the inspection object 2a and the actual weight of the inspection object 2a, the error is automatically corrected without stopping the production line. Is possible.

  In the first embodiment, the operation of pushing the discharge button 5 and the operation of moving the inspection object 2a discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 to the second weighing means 8 are performed. Although it was performed manually, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator by automating these operations. Specifically, first, by providing a timer for giving a discharge instruction for each preset time or time unit to the discharge button 5, the operator has pressed the discharge button 5 every predetermined time until now. Work can be done automatically. Moreover, the operation | work which moves the to-be-inspected object 2a to the 2nd measuring means 8 can be automatically performed by conveying the discharged to-be-inspected object 2a to the 2nd measuring means 8 with a conveyor. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport conveyor 14 constituting the second weighing device 8 is configured so that the transport speed is slow or long enough to ensure a sufficient metering time. . As a result, similar to the first embodiment described above, a more probable real weight of the object to be weighed 2a is obtained. Such a configuration is usually difficult to incorporate in the production line because it lowers the measurement efficiency, but does not affect the measurement efficiency because the conveyance path of the conveyer 14 is off the production line. Furthermore, the inspection object 2a that has been weighed by the second weighing means 8 can be returned to the production line again.

  In the first embodiment, the measurement value of the inspection object 2 (2a) calculated by the control unit 6 and the determination result (determination of non-defective product or defective product) may be recorded in the control unit 6. . Thereby, the operator can check the history of the measurement value and the determination result, and can grasp the tendency of the error of the measurement value.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a configuration may be employed in which an external computer outputs a mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 and records a determination result.

  Further, in the first embodiment, any one of the inspection objects 2 conveyed before and after the inspection object 2a selected to be discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 is not acceptable. When it is determined that the product is non-defective, a message may be displayed so that the mode switching signal is temporarily invalidated and the discharge button 5 is pressed again on the display means 9 to prompt the mode switching. As a result, the inspected object 2 determined as a defective product and the inspected object 2a to be compared are mixed in the discharged inspected object 2 (2a), and the operator is erroneous (not the comparison object). ) It is possible to prevent the inspection object 2 from being taken out.

Second embodiment (foreign matter inspection device)
FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the foreign matter inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
Note that the operation flowchart of FIG. 7 shows operations corresponding to each part of the functional block diagram of FIG. Further, in the second embodiment described below, the same reference numerals are given to the same or identical portions as those in the first embodiment described above.

  The foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 of the second embodiment of the article inspection apparatus outputs a signal for detecting the presence or absence of foreign substances while conveying the inspection object 2, and compares the level of this signal with the set condition to detect the object. The inspection object 2 is sorted into a non-defective product and a defective product.

  In the second embodiment, the presence or absence of foreign matter is detected by X-rays. This is to irradiate the object 2 to be inspected with X-rays at a predetermined detection position and detect foreign matter such as metal or glass mixed in the object 2 based on the amount of transmission. is there. Further, a test piece (metal piece) is added in advance to the inspection object 2a to be compared among the inspection object 2 to be conveyed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main part of the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 includes foreign matter detection means 3 as inspection means, discharge instruction means 5, control means 6, discharge means 7, and second foreign matter detection means ( (Not shown) and output means 9.

  The foreign matter detection means 3 includes a transport conveyor 4 that continuously transports the inspection object 2 in a predetermined transport direction Y at an appropriate interval, and foreign objects are mixed into the inspection object 2 transported by the transport conveyor 4. And a detection unit (not shown) for detecting whether or not it is present.

  The detection unit has a housing, and the conveyor 4 is provided through the housing. The detection unit includes an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector inside the housing. The X-ray generator is provided above the inside of the housing, and irradiates X-rays toward the object 2 to be conveyed. The X-ray detector is provided below the inside of the housing, and a plurality of elements are arranged in a straight line perpendicular to the transport direction Y. These elements have a configuration in which a scintillator is disposed on a photodiode.

  In the detection unit having such a configuration, X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray generator to the object 2 to be inspected inside the housing. X-rays transmitted through the inspection object 2 with this irradiation are converted into light by the scintillator of the X-ray detector. The light converted by the scintillator is received by a photodiode, further converted into an electrical signal and output. Then, the level of this signal is compared with a preset threshold value, and the presence or absence of foreign matter is detected based on the result.

  The discharge button 5 as the discharge instruction means is provided in the output means described later. This discharge button 5 is a mode switching signal for operating the discharge means to be described later and discharging the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added in a direction different from the transport direction Y when the foreign object detection means 3 detects the foreign object. Is output. The discharge instruction by the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 is continued until the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added is discharged. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the inspection object 2a is discharged by the discharge means. However, a separate discharge means is additionally provided to further differ from the transport direction Y. It is good also as a structure discharged | emitted to a direction.

  The control means 6 receives the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 and stores the inspection result as a confirmation inspection result, and outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the transport direction Y. The control means 6 is a judgment means (not shown) for judging the inspection object 2 as a non-defective product or a defective product by comparing the level of the signal output from the foreign matter detection means 3 with a preset setting condition, Storage means (not shown) for storing the determination result. Further, the control means 6 includes weight detection means (not shown) having a set value in which the test piece weight is added in advance. Thereby, after the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 is output, it is possible to prevent the inspection object 2 mixed with the foreign matter to be detected from being erroneously identified as the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added. To do. Further, the discharge instruction by the mode switching signal is continued until the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge arm 7 as the discharge means described above is parallel to the transport direction Y in which the inspection object 2 transported by the transport conveyor 4 passes as it is, as shown in FIG. 1. It is configured to be swingable by a driving force of an actuator or the like between a basic position and an operation position that blocks the object 2 to be inspected that is transported across the transport direction Y. The discharge arm 7 receives the determination data of the control means 6 and sorts the inspection object 2 into a non-defective product and a defective product according to the determination result. In the second embodiment, the inspection object 2 determined to be defective is discharged by the discharge arm 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is discharged by blowing air or transported. An opening may be opened on the conveyor 4, and the inspection object 2 may be dropped and discharged.

  A second foreign matter detection means (not shown) is provided outside the production line and detects the presence or absence of foreign matter in the inspection object 2a discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5.

  Although not shown, the front-hand means 9 serving as the output means displays the signal level by the foreign object detection means 3 and the determination result determined by the control means 6 based on this signal level.

  Here, the procedure for confirming whether or not the determination based on the signal level output from the foreign object detection means 3 in the second embodiment is correct or the probability of the inspection result will be described.

  First, a test piece is added to the object 2 to be conveyed. Thereby, the inspection object 2a to be compared is determined.

  Next, the discharge button 5 is pressed. The discharge instruction by the mode switching signal output from the discharge button 5 is valid when the foreign object detection means 3 determines that the inspection result of the inspection object 2a is defective. Note that either the procedure for adding the test piece to the inspection object 2 or the procedure for pressing the discharge button 5 may be performed first.

  Next, the inspection object 2a which is determined as a defective product from the signal level by the foreign matter detection means 3 and is discharged by the discharge arm 7 in a direction different from the transport direction Y is taken out from the production line. At this time, the signal level of the inspection object 2 a output from the foreign matter detection means 3 is displayed on the display means 9.

  Next, the presence or absence of foreign matter in the inspection object 2a is detected by the second foreign matter detection means.

  Finally, the level of the signal from the foreign matter detection means 3 and the level of the signal from the second foreign matter detection means are compared to check whether the signal level from the foreign matter detection means 3 is correct or to confirm the accuracy of the inspection result.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation | movement from the foreign material detection of the to-be-inspected object 2 (2a) in 2nd Embodiment to discharge | emission is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the foreign matter detection means 3 outputs a signal for detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter in the inspection object 2 (2a) (S21).

  Next, the control means 6 determines whether or not the discharge button 5 is pressed (S22). At this time, if the discharge button 5 is not pressed, the process shifts to the normal inspection mode. On the other hand, if the discharge button 5 is pressed, the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 is in an output standby state. The mode switching signal becomes effective only when the control means 6 determines that the product is defective. Upon receiving this mode switching signal, the mode shifts to the inspection confirmation mode.

  From here, the operation in the normal inspection mode and the operation in the inspection confirmation mode will be described separately.

Normal inspection mode In this normal inspection mode, the signal level from the foreign substance detection means 3 is compared with a preset setting condition (limit comparison), and whether or not the signal level is within the allowable range of the setting condition, that is, within the non-defective product range. Is discriminated (S23). At this time, if the signal level is determined to be within the non-defective range, the inspection object 2 is determined to be non-defective. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product is out of the non-defective range, the inspection object 2 is determined as a defective product. In response to the determination result, the counting means (not shown) counts the number of non-defective products and the number of defective products.
Next, the control means 6 determines the discharge direction of the inspection object 2 according to the determination result (S24).

  Next, the display unit 9 displays the determination result determined by the control unit 6 based on the signal level from the foreign object detection unit 3 and its signal level (S25).

  Finally, the discharge arm 7 discharges the inspection object 2 in a predetermined direction in response to the discharge direction determination result from the control means 6 (S26). Here, when the inspection object 2 is a non-defective product, the discharge arm 7 is not operated and is directly conveyed in the conveyance direction Y. When the inspection object 2 is defective, the discharge arm 7 is operated to prevent the inspection object 2 from being conveyed and to discharge the inspection object 2 in a direction different from the conveyance direction Y.

Inspection Check Mode In this check check mode, it is determined whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the inspection object 2a based on the signal from the foreign matter detection means 3 (S27). At this time, if no foreign matter is confirmed, the normal inspection mode is entered. That is, the inspection object 2 is an erroneous inspection object 2 (not a comparison target).
Next, the control means 6 determines whether or not the measured value of the inspection object 2a is a value obtained by adding the test piece weight by the weight detection means (S28). Here, it is determined by comparing with the set value in which the test piece weight is added in advance, and if the measured value is not the value in which the test piece weight is added, the inspection object 2 is shifted to the normal inspection mode.
Next, the control means 6 forcibly determines the discharge direction of the inspection object 2a (S29).
Next, the control means 6 invalidates the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 (S30).

  Next, the display means 9 displays the signal level of the discharged inspection object 2a (S31). At this time, the signal level to be displayed is automatically (communication) input.

  Finally, the discharge arm 7 (discharge means) receives the discharge direction determination result from the control means 6 and discharges the inspection object 2a in a predetermined direction (S27). Here, the discharge arm 7 is forcibly actuated to prevent the inspection object 2a from being conveyed and to discharge the inspection object 2a in a direction different from the conveyance direction Y.

  According to the second embodiment, the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added is selected as the comparison object from the inspection object 2 conveyed in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5, and The selected inspection object 2a can be automatically taken out from the production line. That is, even when the inspection object 2a to be compared cannot be arbitrarily selected, such as foreign object detection, it can be automatically extracted from the production line and specified. As a result, as in the first embodiment described above, the inspection object 2a to be compared can be identified reliably and easily. Further, since the signal level from the foreign matter detection means 3 is stored as a check inspection result and this check inspection result is output, the inspection result of the inspection object 2a by the foreign matter detection means 3 without stopping the production line. It is possible to easily confirm whether or not the accuracy is correct or the accuracy of the inspection result. As a result, the inspection result by the foreign matter detection means 3 can be easily verified.

  In addition, when a test piece is added to the inspection object 2a to check whether the inspection result by the foreign matter detection means 3 is correct or not, the control means 6 receives a defective product after receiving the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5. Since the mode switching signal becomes effective only when it is determined that the inspection object 2a is added, the inspection object 2a to which the test piece is added can be selectively specified and discharged.

  Further, when a test piece is added to the object to be inspected 2a to check whether the inspection result by the foreign matter detection means 3 is correct, the foreign matter to be detected is mixed after the mode switch signal is output from the discharge button 5. Thus, it is possible to prevent the inspected object 2 that has been inadvertently identified as the inspected object 2a to which the test piece has been added.

  In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the operation of pushing the discharge button 5 and the inspection object 2a discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5 are displayed. Although the operation of moving to the second foreign matter detection means has been performed manually, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator by automating these operations. Specifically, first, by providing a timer for giving a discharge instruction for each preset time or time unit to the discharge button 5, the operator has pressed the discharge button 5 every predetermined time until now. Work can be done automatically. Moreover, the operation | work which moves the to-be-inspected object 2a to a 2nd foreign material detection means can be automatically performed by conveying the discharged to-be-inspected object 2a to a 2nd foreign material detection means with a conveyor.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, it is conveyed before and after the inspection object 2a selected to be discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge button 5. When any one of the inspected objects 2 is determined to be defective, a message may be displayed so that the mode switching signal is temporarily invalidated and the discharge button 5 is pressed again on the display means 9. As a result, the inspection object 2 determined to be defective and the inspection object 2a to be compared are mixed in the discharged inspection object 2, and the inspection is incorrect (not the comparison object) by the operator. It is possible to prevent the product 2 from being taken out.

1 is a schematic plan view showing an article inspection apparatus (weight inspection apparatus) according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display state in the display means of the weight inspection apparatus by this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the weight inspection apparatus by this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart which shows the process sequence of the measured value in the weight inspection apparatus by this invention. It is a schematic top view which shows other embodiment of the weight inspection apparatus by this invention. 3 is an operation flowchart of the foreign matter inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Article inspection apparatus, weight inspection apparatus, and foreign material inspection apparatus 2 ... Inspection object 2a ... Inspection object to be compared 3 ... Measurement means as inspection means, Foreign object detection means as inspection means 5 ... Discharge instruction means Discharge button 6 ... Control means 7 ... Discharge arm as discharge means 8 ... Second weighing means 9 ... Display means as output means Y ... Transport direction

Claims (10)

Inspection means (3) for inspecting the inspection object (2) while conveying it in a predetermined conveyance direction (Y), and control means for comparing and determining the inspection result by the inspection means and the set condition and outputting a determination signal ( 6), an article inspection apparatus (1) comprising a discharge means (7) for receiving the determination signal and sorting the inspection object into a non-defective product and a defective product, and an output means (9) for outputting the inspection result. In
Discharging instruction means (5) for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object (2a) in a direction different from the transport direction in order to confirm the certainty of the inspection result,
The control means receives the mode switching signal, stores the inspection result as a confirmation inspection result, and outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object in a direction different from the transport direction. An article inspection apparatus that outputs an inspection result for confirmation. Weighing means (3) for weighing the object to be inspected (2) while being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction (Y), and a control means for comparing and determining the measured value and the set value by the weighing means and outputting a determination signal ( 6), a weight inspection apparatus (1) comprising: a discharge means (7) for receiving the determination signal and sorting the inspection object into a non-defective product and a defective product; and an output means (9) for outputting the measured value. In
Discharging instruction means (5) for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object (2a) in a direction different from the transport direction in order to confirm the certainty of the measurement value,
The control means receives the mode switching signal, stores the measurement value as a confirmation measurement value, and outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object in a direction different from the conveyance direction. A weight inspection apparatus that outputs a weighing value for confirmation. In response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instruction means (5), the inspection object (2a) is discharged a plurality of times,
The control means (6) receives the actual weight of the inspection object every time the inspection object is ejected in response to the mode switching signal, and further, 3. A storage means for storing a statistical result calculated from the measurement value of the object to be inspected by the weighing means (3), and a statistical result output means for outputting the statistical result. Weight inspection equipment.   The actual weight of the object to be inspected (2a) discharged in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instructing means (5) is inputted from the second weighing means (8). The described weight inspection apparatus.   5. The weight inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means (6) displays the comparison result by comparing the statistical result with an allowable value stored in advance.   6. The weight inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means (6) corrects the measurement value based on a correction coefficient calculated from the statistical result. Inspection means (3) for inspecting whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the inspection object while conveying the inspection object (2) in a predetermined conveyance direction (Y), inspection results and setting conditions by the inspection means And a control means (6) for comparing and judging the output, a discharge means (7) for receiving the determination signal and sorting the inspection object into a non-defective product and a defective product, and outputting the inspection result. In the foreign matter inspection apparatus (1) comprising the output means (9),
Discharging instruction means (5) for outputting a mode switching signal so as to discharge the inspection object (2a) in a direction different from the transport direction in order to confirm the certainty of the inspection result,
The control means receives the mode switching signal, stores the inspection result as a confirmation inspection result, and outputs a discharge signal for discharging the inspection object in a direction different from the transport direction. A foreign matter inspection apparatus characterized by outputting an inspection result for confirmation.   8. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means (6) validates the mode switching signal only when the inspection result is determined to be defective.   The control means (6) includes weight detection means for measuring the weight of the inspection object (2, 2a), and the weight of the test piece stored in advance is added to the measurement value of the inspection object by the weight detection means. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mode switching signal is validated when being operated.   One of the inspection objects (2) conveyed before and after the inspection object (2a) selected in response to the mode switching signal from the discharge instructing means (5) is determined to be defective. 10. The article inspection device, weight inspection device, and foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching signal is invalidated to prompt switching of the mode again.

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