JP2007234342A - Light irradiation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light irradiation apparatus capable of reducing a region without having a light emitting part when an observation hole is viewed from an observation object region without causing complication and expansion of a structure, and of appropriately executing shadowless illumination or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This light irradiation apparatus is provided with: the observation hole arranged between an external observation point and the observation object region and on an observation axis line connecting them; a first light emitting part arranged around the observation hole for irradiating the observation object region with light; a half mirror arranged obliquely with respect to the observation axis line between the observation hole and the external observation point; a second light emitting part arranged at a position where the light emitted therefrom is reflected by the half mirror and emitted to the observation object region through the observation hole; and an optical path wall inside surface covering an optical path from the second light emitting part to the half mirror and an optical path from the half mirror to the observation hole; and is structured such that a part or the whole of the optical path wall inside surface is a mirror surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation apparatus capable of coaxial illumination that irradiates light from the same direction as an observation axis connecting an observation point and an observation target region.

As a light irradiation apparatus capable of coaxial illumination, a shadowless illumination apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is known. This type of shadowless illumination device 100 is used when a product or the like is illuminated with no shadow for the purpose of surface inspection or the like, and is, for example, a dome-type disposed so as to cover the observation target region S of the product or the like. A light emitting surface (first light emitting unit) 101 is provided, and an observation hole 101a for visually recognizing the observation target region S from the outside is provided at the top portion. A coaxial illumination mechanism is provided so that the observation target region S can be irradiated with light from the observation hole 101a. In this coaxial illumination mechanism, the half mirror 103 is arranged at an inclination of 45 ° almost directly above the observation hole 101a, and a planar light emitting surface (second light emitting unit) 102 is arranged on the side of the half mirror 103. The light emitted from the second light emitting unit 102 is reflected by the half mirror 103 and passes through the observation hole 101a and is irradiated onto the observation target region S.
JP 2001-215115 A

  However, actually, even with such a configuration, there may still be dark uneven portions in a part of the observation target region, which is a problem in precise surface inspection and the like.

  This uneven portion is thought to be caused by the fact that the second light-emitting portion does not completely cover the observation hole and a gap is generated around it. That is, when considering a direct optical system equivalent to the case where a half mirror is interposed, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the virtual second light emitting unit 102 ′ has an actual second light emission with the half mirror 103 as an axis of symmetry. It exists in the position symmetrical with the part 102. FIG.

  Thus, when viewing the observation hole 101a from the peripheral portion of the observation target region, it can be seen that a region H1 in which no light emitting portion exists is generated. On the other hand, when viewing the observation hole 101a from the center of the observation target region S, the observation hole 101a appears to be completely covered by the second light emitting unit 102 (102 ') as shown by the hatched region H2 in FIG.

  That is, light is not irradiated from the whole sky direction at the peripheral portion of the region S, and light is irradiated from the whole sky direction at the central portion of the region S. It is darker than the central part. This is the cause of uneven illumination in the observation target region S.

  In order to solve this problem, the second light emitting unit may be arranged so as to close the observation hole. However, in reality, there is a half mirror, and an equivalent optical system is constructed by interposing the half mirror. Is impossible. Further, a configuration in which the area of the second light emitting portion is increased to cover the hatched region H1 is also conceivable. However, if this is done, the apparatus will be enlarged and the loss of light quantity will increase, resulting in poor efficiency.

  Such inconveniences are common to not only the dome type illumination device but also the ring type illumination device and the kamaboko type illumination device that irradiate the observation object with light coaxial with the observation axis. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve this problem all at once without incurring a complicated structure or enlargement, and an area without a light emitting portion when the observation hole is viewed from the observation target area. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light irradiation apparatus that can reduce shadows and perform shadowless illumination more suitably.

  That is, the light irradiation apparatus according to the present invention includes an observation hole disposed between an external observation point and an observation target region on an observation axis connecting them, and the observation hole disposed around the observation hole. A first light emitting unit that irradiates light to a target region, a half mirror disposed between the observation hole and the observation point and obliquely with respect to the observation axis, and a position at which light is emitted toward the half mirror The light is reflected by the half mirror and covers the optical path from the second light emitting unit to the half mirror, the second light emitting unit disposed at a position where the light is irradiated to the observation target region through the observation hole. An optical path forming inner surface, and a region substantially parallel to the optical axis on the optical path forming inner surface is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface.

  In such a case, the same effect as when the second light-emitting portion has a large area can be obtained by the mirror surface, so that the observation hole can be seen from the observation target region without causing enlargement or significant structural complexity. In this case, it is possible to reduce a region where there is no light emitting portion, and it is possible to construct a coaxial illumination mechanism with less illuminance unevenness.

  In order to realize the present invention by only slightly improving the configuration of the existing light irradiation device, the top optical path from the top side of the second light emitting unit to the top side of the half mirror in the inner surface of the optical path wall Either the inner surface of the wall, the inner surface of the bottom optical path wall from the bottom of the second light emitting unit to the observation hole, or the inner surface of the opposing side optical path wall from each side of the second light emitting unit to each side of the half mirror Or the structure which made the whole the mirror surface or the diffuse reflection surface is preferable.

  In order to allow light to pour from the observation hole almost without any gap, a wall is raised from the edge of the observation hole opposite to the second light-emitting part toward the half mirror and substantially parallel to the observation axis, It is desirable that the surface be a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, since the same effect can be obtained when the second light-emitting portion has a large area by the mirror surface or the diffuse reflection surface, observation can be performed without causing enlargement or significant structural complexity. When the observation hole is viewed from the target area, the area without the light emitting portion is reduced, and shadowless illumination or the like can be performed more suitably.

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

  FIG. 4 shows the entire light irradiation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. This light irradiation apparatus 1 is used for, for example, performing a shadowless illumination on a product (work) having a glossy surface and automatically inspecting a scratch or mark on the surface, as shown in FIG. A main illumination mechanism 2 and a coaxial illumination mechanism 6 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the main illumination mechanism 2 includes a main body 4 and a main light source 3 attached to the main body 4.

  The main body 4 has a long shape in which a groove-shaped recess 41 is opened at the bottom surface, and the recess 41 is arranged toward the observation target region P on the surface of the workpiece. The concave portion 41 has an inner peripheral surface 41a having a half-cylindrical concave shape, and a band-shaped observation hole 42 extending in the longitudinal direction is penetrated in the thickness direction at the top portion.

  The main light source 3 includes a plurality of LEDs 31 provided near the opening end of the recess 41. These LEDs 31 are arranged in one or more rows along the longitudinal direction of the main body 4 and are arranged so as to emit light toward the inner circumferential surface 41a of the recess. And the light inject | emitted from these LED31 is reflected by the recessed part internal peripheral surface 41a, and the indirect light is irradiated to the observation object area | region P. FIG. In other words, the inner peripheral surface 41a of the concave portion receives LED light and shines, and plays a role as a first light emitting portion arranged so as to surround the observation hole 42. The concave inner peripheral surface 41a is a diffuse reflection surface coated with, for example, a white paint, and the light from the LED 31 is configured to diffusely reflect on the concave inner peripheral surface 41a.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coaxial illumination mechanism 6 includes a sub body 7, a half mirror 8 attached to the sub body 7, a second light source 9, and a diffusion plate 10.

  The sub-body 7 has a long shape attached to the main body 4 so as to cover the observation hole 42 provided in the main body 4. The imaging means 6 is provided on the top plate 71 directly above the observation hole 42. An attachment portion 72 is provided for attaching the. The imaging means 6 attached to the sub body 7 and positioned at a predetermined external observation point images the observation target region P through the observation hole 42. In addition, without attaching the imaging means 6 to the attachment portion 72, for example, the imaging means 6 is arranged on the observation axis C on the upstream side in the observation direction from the illumination device while fitting a transparent resin plate, a transparent glass plate, or the like. You may make it do.

  The half mirror 8 is arranged on the observation axis C between the observation hole 42 and the imaging means 6 at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the observation axis C.

  The second light source 9 is formed by arranging a plurality (large number) of LEDs 92 on a rectangular substrate 91 arranged on the side of the half mirror 8. The substrate 91 is set parallel to the observation axis C, and each LED 92 irradiates light toward the half mirror 8.

  The diffusion plate 10 is a rectangular thin plate interposed between the second light source 9 and the half mirror 8, and is disposed in parallel with the light emitting surface of the second light source 9. The diffuser plate 10 is a so-called cloudy glass having translucency and light diffusibility, and is a second light emitting unit by making the light from the second light source 9 incident from one surface 10a more uniform. The light is emitted from the other surface 10b toward the half mirror 8. The light emitted from the other surface 10 b is reflected by the half mirror 8, passes through the observation hole 42, and is irradiated onto the observation target region P.

  In this embodiment, of the inner surface of the sub-body 7, the inner surface of the optical path wall that covers the optical path from the second light emitting unit 9 to the half mirror 8 and the optical path from the half mirror 8 to the observation hole 42 is a mirror surface.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the top optical path wall inner surface A2 from the top of the other surface 10b to the top of the half mirror 8, and the observation hole 42 from the bottom of the second light emitting unit 10b. To the observation hole 42 from the bottom optical path wall inner surface A3 and the bottom side of the half mirror 8 that face each side of the half mirror 8 from each side of the second light emitting unit 10b to each side of the half mirror 8. The bottom optical path wall inner surface A4 up to the end is subjected to electrolytic polishing or the like to obtain a mirror surface with very good surface accuracy.

  If this is the case, in this coaxial illumination mechanism 6, as shown in FIG. 7, the half mirror 8 is replaced with an equivalent direct optical system (the equivalent optical system is marked with a sign “′), on the other hand The light exiting from the surface 10b is reflected one or more times by the optical path wall inner surfaces A1, A2, A3, and A4, and particularly in the peripheral portion of the observation target region P, the direction that was not irradiated conventionally (described in the background art). It becomes possible to irradiate light from the shaded area. Therefore, the irradiation unevenness that has occurred at the periphery of the observation target region P can be greatly reduced, and more uniform light irradiation can be performed over the entire observation target region P.

  In addition, since it is only necessary to make the inner surface of the optical path wall a mirror surface, there is no need to structurally modify the existing lighting device, and the configuration is very simple and does not cause enlargement.

  Further, in this embodiment, since it is a long one for performing a long product inspection, in the conventional one without the reflection surface A3, depending on the part of the observation target region P, the longitudinal direction from there. When looking at the heavens, there was a dark part at a large angle, and there was a case where the illuminance unevenness in the observation target region P was noticeable. According to this embodiment, the reflective surface A3 covers the dark part. Therefore, illuminance unevenness can be more suitably suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, not all of the optical path wall inner surfaces A1, A2, A3, A4 may be mirror surfaces, but any one or more of them may be mirror surfaces. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a wall body is raised from the edge of the observation hole 42 opposite to the other surface 10b toward the half mirror 8 substantially in parallel with the observation axis C, and the wall body inner surface A5 is If the mirror surface is used, the direction in which light is not irradiated as viewed from the observation target region P is further reduced, and the effect of the present invention becomes more remarkable. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member corresponding to the said embodiment in this figure.

  Further, the inner peripheral surface (first light emitting surface) of the main body may be a hemispherical concave surface, or it may be a flat ring shape or a conical inner surface shape like a ring type illumination. Furthermore, it may be a light guide type that does not make this a reflective surface but transmits light through the main body.

  A single color LED may be used, or a plurality of LEDs having different colors may be provided. The LED is not limited to those of the three primary colors, and may be other wavelength bands, for example, those that emit near-infrared light, near-ultraviolet light, and other electromagnetic waves. Further, in addition to the LED, a semiconductor laser or the like may be used, or light having a desired wavelength using a filter from white light may be used.

  In addition to a mirror surface, a diffuse reflection surface having a slightly rougher surface than the mirror surface, such as a white painted surface, may be used.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above illustrated example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the area without the light emitting portion when the observation hole is viewed from the observation target area is reduced without causing complication or enlargement of the configuration, and shadowless illumination. The light irradiation apparatus which can perform etc. more suitably can be provided.

The typical structure figure which shows the conventional light irradiation apparatus. The optical path explanatory drawing explaining the optical path of the conventional light irradiation apparatus. The optical path explanatory drawing explaining the optical path of the conventional light irradiation apparatus. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a light irradiation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. AA line sectional view in FIG. BB sectional drawing in FIG. Optical path explanatory drawing explaining the optical path of the light irradiation apparatus in the embodiment. The cross-sectional view of the light irradiation apparatus in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light irradiation apparatus P ... Observation object area C ... Observation axis 42 ... Observation hole 41a ... 1st light emission part (recessed inner peripheral surface)
8 ... Half mirror 10b ... Second light emitting part A1, A2, A3, A4 ... Mirror surface of inner surface of optical path A5 ... Mirror surface of wall body

Claims (5)

An observation hole arranged on an observation axis between the external observation point and the observation target region and connecting them;
A first light emitting unit disposed around the observation hole and irradiating the observation target region with light;
A half mirror disposed between the observation hole and an external observation point and oblique to the observation axis;
A second light emitting unit disposed at a position where the emitted light is reflected by the half mirror and irradiated to the observation target region through the observation hole;
An optical path wall inner surface covering an optical path from the second light emitting unit to the half mirror and an optical path from the half mirror to the observation hole,
A part or all of the inner surface of the optical path wall is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface.   The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, of the inner surface of the optical path wall, the inner surface of the top optical path wall from the top side of the second light emitting unit to the top side of the half mirror is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface.   3. The light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein, of the inner surface of the optical path wall, the inner surface of the bottom optical path wall from the bottom of the second light emitting unit to the observation hole is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface.   4. The inner surface of the optical path wall, the inner surface of the opposite side optical path wall from each side of the second light emitting unit to each side of the half mirror is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface. Light irradiation device. A wall is raised from an edge of the observation hole opposite to the second light-emitting portion toward the half mirror, substantially parallel to the observation axis, and the inner surface of the wall is a mirror surface or a diffuse reflection surface. The light irradiation apparatus of 3 or 4.