JP2010014735A - Visual inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visual inspection apparatus for performing high-accuracy detection, even if the number of imaging means is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The visual inspection apparatus for visual inspection of an object to be inspected C is provided with an imaging means 3 arranged in such a way as to image the main inspection surface when the object to be inspected C is viewed from a specific direction, and is further provided with alteration means 4, 5, 6 and 7 for altering the direction of light from a sub-inspection surface in such a way that images of the sub-inspection surface when the object to be inspected C is viewed from a direction different from the specific direction is captured in the imaging means 3. The visual inspection apparatus is yet further provided with optical path redundancy means 10 and 12 for making a second optical path redundant, in order to make the optical path length of the second optical path, from the main inspection surface of the object to be inspected C to the imaging means 3 match the optical path length of a first optical path, from the sub-inspection surface of the object to be inspected C to the imaging means 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of an inspection object such as a tablet.

  The above visual inspection equipment judges the quality of inspection objects by inspecting the outer shape, dimensions, minute holes and dents on the surface, dirt, scratches, chips, etc., and sorts them into non-defective products and defective products. To do.

  In this type of visual inspection apparatus, in order to perform the inspection, a total of 6 images of the four side surfaces obtained by dividing the peripheral surface of the inspection object into four parts in addition to the upper and lower surfaces of the inspection object correspond to each. Thus, a total of six line sensors (imaging means) are provided, and the quality of the inspection object is determined from the acquired six images.

  However, when six line sensors are provided as described above, there is an inconvenience that not only the cost increases but the size of the entire apparatus increases as the number of line sensors increases. In view of this, there has already been proposed a configuration in which two line sensors can be completed by adopting a configuration in which three images of the upper or lower surface and two side surfaces of the inspection object are captured by one line sensor ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-317415 (see FIGS. 1 to 3)

In the apparatus according to the proposal, the imaging unit is arranged so as to capture the image on the upper surface, and the image on the side surface is captured into the imaging unit via a number of reflecting plates. For this reason, the optical path length from the side surface to the imaging unit becomes longer than the optical path length from the upper surface to the imaging unit.
For this reason, the focus of the image from the side surface and the focus of the image from the top surface cannot be adjusted, and it is difficult to perform inspection by processing the top surface image and the side surface image with uniform accuracy. there were.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an appearance inspection apparatus that can detect with high accuracy while reducing the number of imaging means. It is in.

  That is, the appearance inspection apparatus according to the present invention images the main inspection surface when the inspection object is viewed from a specific direction in the appearance inspection apparatus that inspects the appearance of the inspection object in order to solve the above-described problem. Change in which the direction of light from the sub-inspection surface is changed so that an image of the sub-inspection surface when the inspection unit is installed and the inspection object is viewed from a direction different from the specific direction is taken into the imaging unit. Means for adjusting the optical path length of the second optical path from the main inspection surface of the inspection object to the imaging means to the optical path length of the first optical path from the sub-inspection surface of the inspection object to the imaging means. An optical path redundancy means for making two optical paths redundant is provided. Note that the inspection object may be a three-dimensional object having a curved surface in addition to a polyhedron, and the direction in which the inspection object is imaged may be any direction.

  In addition, in the appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the inspection object, an imaging unit installed to image one of the upper surface and the side surface of the inspection object, and the other of the upper surface and the side surface of the inspection object And changing means for changing the direction of light from the other so that the image of the inspection object is captured by the imaging means, and the optical path length of the first optical path from the other side of the inspection object to the imaging means is the one of the inspection objects In order to match the optical path length of the second optical path from the imaging unit to the imaging unit, the visual inspection apparatus may be configured by including an optical path redundancy unit that makes the second optical path redundant.

  Still further, in the appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the inspection object, an imaging means installed so as to image one of the lower surface and the side surface of the inspection object, and among the lower surface and the side surface of the inspection object Change means for changing the direction of light from the other so as to capture the other image into the imaging means, and the optical path length of the first optical path from the other of the inspection objects to the imaging means In order to match the optical path length of the second optical path from one side to the imaging unit, the visual inspection apparatus may be configured by including an optical path redundancy unit that makes the second optical path redundant.

  Further, at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path may be configured such that the optical path length can be adjusted.

  Furthermore, the optical path redundancy means may be configured such that the optical path length of the second optical path can be adjusted.

  Further, as the optical path redundancy means, a main reflection part for changing the light traveling direction in a state substantially parallel to the opposite direction reversed 180 degrees, and the light from the main reflection part are changed to the imaging means side An auxiliary reflection part for performing the above-described operation, and the main reflection part may be configured to be movable in the traveling direction of light or in the direction opposite to the traveling direction.

  Furthermore, the image pickup device includes a conveyance unit for conveying the inspection object along a conveyance path, and the imaging unit includes a line sensor having a scanning direction in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the inspection object. The line sensor is installed so as to image an upper surface or a lower surface of the inspection object conveyed by the means, and the changing means starts from the side surface so as to capture an image of the side surface of the inspection object into the line sensor. The direction of the light may be changed.

  In particular, the peripheral surface of the inspection object is divided into four side surfaces in a transport direction of the inspection object and a transport width direction orthogonal to the transport direction in plan view, and the four of the divided side surfaces are divided. A first reflector that reflects light emitted from two left and right side surfaces on the front side in the transport direction or two left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the transport direction in a direction intersecting the transport direction toward the transport path; and the first reflector unit And a second reflecting part for reflecting light from above or below to constitute the changing means, and the moving direction of the main reflecting part is opposite to the conveying direction of the inspection object or the conveying direction. The auxiliary reflector is arranged so as to reflect light from the main reflector upward or downward, and reflects light from the upper surface or the lower surface of the inspection object in the transport direction or the direction opposite to the transport direction. Provided with a third reflecting portion to be sent to the main reflecting portion. It may be.

  In addition, two inspection units each including the imaging unit, the changing unit, and the optical path redundancy unit are provided before and after the transport direction, and one of the two inspection units includes an upper surface of the inspection object and 4 A first inspection unit that inspects two specific side surfaces of the two side surfaces, and the other of the two inspection units includes a lower surface of the inspection object and a second inspection unit that inspects the remaining two side surfaces. It may be.

  In the appearance inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of surfaces of the inspection object are imaged by one imaging unit, and the optical path redundancy unit is provided on the second optical path so that the optical path lengths of the first optical path and the second optical path are increased. Since the length is the same, detection can be performed with high accuracy while reducing the number of imaging means.

  In addition, when at least one of the optical path lengths can be adjusted, even if an assembly error of various components constituting the appearance inspection apparatus occurs, it can be absorbed by adjusting the optical path length. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with the change by adjusting the optical path length when inspecting inspection objects having different sizes.

  Further, as the optical path redundancy means, a main reflecting portion having two reflecting surfaces for changing the light traveling direction in a state substantially parallel to the opposite direction obtained by inverting 180 degrees, and the light from the main reflecting portion An auxiliary reflecting portion for changing to the imaging means side, and when the main reflecting portion is configured to be movable in the traveling direction of light or in the direction opposite to the traveling direction, to change to the imaging means side It is possible to focus by simply moving the main reflecting part without moving the auxiliary reflecting part, and it is possible to perform focusing with a simple configuration without changing the position of the image captured by the imaging means.

  Further, the peripheral surface of the inspection object is divided into four side surfaces in a transport direction of the inspection object and a transport width direction orthogonal to the transport direction in a plan view, and among the four side surfaces divided A first reflector that reflects light emitted in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction from the two left and right side surfaces on the front side in the conveyance direction or the two left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the conveyance direction; and the first reflection unit And a second reflecting part for reflecting light from above or below to constitute the changing means, and the moving direction of the main reflecting part is opposite to the conveying direction of the inspection object or the conveying direction. The auxiliary reflector is arranged so as to reflect light from the main reflector upward or downward, and reflects light from the upper surface or the lower surface of the inspection object in the transport direction or the direction opposite to the transport direction. Provided with a third reflecting portion to be sent to the main reflecting portion. And a if the configuration, since the changing means can consist of two reflecting portions, it is possible to simplify the configuration. That is, when capturing images of two opposite side surfaces into the line sensor (for example, when capturing images of the left side surface on the front side in the transport direction and the right side surface on the rear side in the transport direction among the four side surfaces) Although three reflecting portions are required, the configuration as described above requires two reflecting portions as changing means.

It is a perspective view of a 1st test | inspection part. The 1st test | inspection part which abbreviate | omitted one part is shown, (a) is the front view, (b) is the top view, (c) is the side view, (d) is the perspective view. (A), (b) is a top view which shows two examples which divide | segment a tablet into four side surfaces. (A), (b) is a top view which shows two examples which have arrange | positioned the mirror for guiding the light from two side surfaces. It is a schematic side view which shows the movement path | route of the light from the upper surface of a tablet to the mirror for direction change.

  1 and 2 show a first inspection unit K constituting the appearance inspection apparatus of the present invention. The first inspection unit includes an irradiation unit (not shown) that irradiates the tablet C, which is an inspection object that has been transported along the transport path by the transport unit 1, with an irradiation unit (not shown). Based on the lower open casing 2 provided at the upper part, the line sensor 3 having a scanning direction in the direction (conveyance width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the inspection object, and the image captured by the line sensor 3. A determination processing unit 8 is provided for determining the quality of the inspection object.

  The line sensor 3 is disposed above the transport surface of the tablet C so as to capture an upper surface that is a main inspection surface when the tablet C is viewed from the upper side in the vertical direction (specific direction). And in order to take in into the line sensor 3 the image of the side surface which is a sub-inspection surface when the tablet C is seen from a horizontal direction, the reflection part is provided as a change means which changes the direction of the light from this side surface. In the present embodiment, there are two sub-inspection surfaces, that is, when two side images are taken into the line sensor 3, and accordingly, the reflecting portions 4 and 5 and the reflecting portions corresponding to the respective side surfaces, respectively. 6 and 7 are provided. In FIG. 1, a total of three images, that is, an image on the left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the conveyance direction A of the tablet C and an image on the upper surface are taken into one line sensor 3.

  The total of the remaining three images of the tablet C that could not be detected by the first inspection unit K, that is, the image of the lower surface (main inspection surface) of the tablet C and the remaining two side surfaces (two sub-inspection surfaces). A second inspection unit (not shown) having the same configuration as the first inspection unit K is disposed on the lower side in the transport direction in order to separately capture and inspect three images with a line sensor. The second inspection unit is configured such that the upper and lower sides thereof are opposite to the first inspection unit K, and the appearance inspection apparatus includes first and second inspection units.

  Here, in addition to the cylindrical shape shown in FIG. 1, the inspection object may be a polyhedron having various shapes having four or more surfaces, a three-dimensional object having various shapes having a curved surface, etc. In addition to pharmaceuticals such as tablets C and capsules and health foods that are flat on both sides, there are confectionery such as candy, washers, button batteries, and electronic parts such as semiconductors.

  If the determination processing unit 8 determines that the product is defective, the defective product is collected in a defective product collection unit (not shown). If the product is determined to be good, the good product is collected. The determination result from the determination processing unit 8 is output to a control unit (not shown) so as to be collected by a unit (not shown), and the defective product collection unit (not shown) or the non-defective product collection unit ( (Not shown) is operated. Hereinafter, the appearance inspection apparatus will be described in more detail.

  The transport means 1 is attached to a substantially trapezoidal and long transport rail 1A in the transport direction view for forming a transport path, and a pair of left and right top portions 1B and 1B provided in the transport width direction of the transport rail 1A. , And a pair of endless left and right round belts (not shown) that are driven by a driving device (not shown) to convey the tablets C. A groove portion 1M extending in the conveying direction is formed at a substantially central portion in the conveying width direction on the upper surface of the conveying rail 1A. By sucking air from the groove portion 1M, the tablet is sucked and the round belt does not float upward. I have to.

  The irradiation means includes a large number of light emitting diodes (not shown) arranged in a ring shape in the casing with the irradiation direction facing downward, and the light emitting diodes for transporting light from the light emitting diodes to uniform light. It is comprised from the diffusion plate (not shown) arrange | positioned between the tablets C made. This irradiating means is configured to irradiate the tablet C with light from above to below.

  In this way, images of two side surfaces of the peripheral surface of the tablet C irradiated with light from the irradiation unit are captured by the single line sensor 3 through the changing unit. The two side surfaces are specifically described. This is shown in FIG. That is, the peripheral surface of the tablet C is divided into four portions of approximately 90 degrees in the transport direction X and the transport width direction Y in plan view, and images of two adjacent side surfaces among the divided four side surfaces are obtained. take in. More specifically, light is sent to the line sensor 3 from the side surface exiting from a direction of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the transport direction X via the changing means. In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B described later, H is a light receiving range from the side surface of the tablet C.

  First, the first inspection unit K captures the images of the left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the conveyance direction of the tablet C together with the upper surface image, while the left and right sides in the conveyance direction of the tablet C remaining in the second inspection unit described above. The two side images are taken together with the bottom image.

  Furthermore, in the first inspection unit K, a specific configuration of changing means for changing the direction of light from the side surface will be further described. As shown in FIG. 1, the left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the transport direction among the four divided side surfaces cross the transport direction X, that is, a direction that forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the transport direction. First mirrors 4 and 6 as first reflecting portions for reflecting the emitted lights D1 and E1 to the transport path side, and first mirrors for reflecting the lights D2 and E2 from the first mirrors 4 and 6 upward. Second mirrors 5 and 7 are provided as two reflecting portions.

  The lights D3 and E3 reflected upward by the second mirrors 5 and 7 are changed in the horizontal direction by the direction changing mirror 9 positioned above and then enter the line sensor 3. ing.

  Thus, the two optical paths from the left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the transport direction of the tablet C to the line sensor 3 have the same optical path length, and this optical path is the first optical path. On the other hand, the optical path from the upper surface of the tablet C to the line sensor 3 is the second optical path, and in order to match the optical path length of the second optical path with the optical path length of the first optical path, optical path redundancy means for making the second optical path redundant is provided. It is provided on the second optical path.

  First, the second optical path will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the light F1 from the upper surface of the tablet C is reflected in the direction opposite to the transport direction A (the transport direction) by the third mirror 11 serving as the third reflecting portion. Reflect on the rear side. The third mirror 11 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane so that the upper end side is located closer to the start end side in the transport direction. Then, the light F2 reflected by the third mirror 11 is reflected upward by the lower reflecting plate 10A and then returned to the transport direction A by the upper reflecting plate 10B, and the reflected light F4 is further reflected by the fourth mirror 12. The reflected light F3 is sent to the line sensor 3 through the direction changing mirror 9. The fourth mirror 12 is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane so that the upper end side is located on the end side in the transport direction.

  The upper and lower reflectors 10A and 10B and the fourth mirror 12 in the second optical path are the optical path redundancy means. That is, the upper and lower reflectors 10A and 10B are the main reflector 10 for changing the light traveling direction from the upper surface of the tablet C in a state almost parallel to the opposite direction reversed 180 degrees, and the fourth mirror. Reference numeral 12 denotes an auxiliary reflection unit for changing the light from the main reflection unit 10 to the line sensor 3 side, specifically, to the mirror 9 side positioned above the conveyance path.

  That is, compared with the case where the light from the third mirror 11 is reflected to the mirror 9 by the reflecting plate M indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5, the length of the light F5 from the reflecting plate M to the lower reflecting plate 10A and the upper side thereof. The optical path length of the second optical path is increased by the total length of the light F4 from the reflecting plate 10B to the fourth mirror 12, and the upper and lower reflecting plates 10A and 10B and the fourth mirror 12 are provided. As a result, the first optical path and the second optical path have the same length. Since the lengths of the light F4 and the light F5 are the same, the optical path length of the second optical path is increased by twice the length of the one light F4 or F5. Note that F2 shown in FIG. 5 indicates light from the third mirror 11 to the lower reflecting plate 10A.

  The fourth mirror 12 in the second optical path and the two second mirrors 5 and 7 in the first optical path are aligned in a straight line in the conveyance width direction (direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction) of the tablet C, and the line sensor 3, a total of three light beams, that is, two light beams from the two second mirrors 5 and 7 and one light beam from the fourth mirror 12 are incident side by side.

  As described above, the first optical path and the second optical path are made the same length by the optical path redundancy means, but in the present embodiment, the optical path length of the second optical path can be adjusted. Specifically, the fourth mirror 12 has a fixed structure, and the two reflectors 10A and 10B are configured to be integrally movable in the transport direction of the tablet C or in the direction opposite to the transport direction. The second optical path length can be finely adjusted by moving the two reflecting plates 10A and 10B.

  As for the movement of the two reflectors 10A and 10B, the size of the tablet C can be input to the control device by manual input or detected by the detection means on the transport path, thereby the two reflectors 10A and 10B. The optical path length may be automatically adjusted by automatically moving 10B in the transport direction based on the size of the tablet C, or the two reflectors 10A and 10B may be moved manually. In addition to moving the two reflecting plates 10A and 10B with an actuator, they may be moved with a manual screw mechanism.

Here, an operation flow of the appearance inspection apparatus configured as described above will be described. 2A to 2D show the first inspection unit K with the casing 2 and the line sensor 3 omitted.
Lights D1 and E1 emitted from the left and right side surfaces of the tablet C in the transport direction are reflected by the first mirrors 4 and 6 in the transport width direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the reflected lights D2 and E2 are reflected by the second mirror. The reflected lights D3 and E3 are reflected upward by the direction changing mirror 9 and taken into the line sensor 3 (hereinafter referred to as the first optical path).

  On the other hand, the light F1 from the upper surface of the tablet C is reflected to the rear side in the transport direction by the third mirror 11, and the reflected light F2 is reflected upward by the lower reflecting plate 10A and is reflected on the upper reflecting plate 10B. The tablet C is folded back in the conveyance direction, and the folded light F4 is reflected upward by the fourth mirror 12, and the reflected light F3 is reflected by the direction changing mirror 9 in the conveyance width direction to be a line sensor. 3 (the second optical path).

  And the light taken in by the line sensor 3 is determined pass / fail by the determination processing unit 8. Note that the tablet C inspected by the first inspection unit K has the light on the lower surface and the left and right side surfaces on the front side in the transport direction at the second inspection unit located on the lower side in the transport direction to the line sensor of the second inspection unit. The determination processing unit 8 determines pass / fail.

  Thus, since the image of the upper surface and the image of the two side surfaces are captured by one line sensor 3, the number of line sensors 3 can be reduced, and the apparatus can be simplified. And since the 1st optical path and the 2nd optical path are made into the same length by the optical path redundancy means, the upper surface image and the side surface image can be taken in with the same level of high accuracy. High inspection accuracy can be obtained.

  In addition, since the second optical path length can be adjusted, the assembly accuracy of the mirror and the like is not high, and the assembly error can be absorbed by adjusting the optical path length. In addition, there is a great effect even when the tablets C are inspected with different sizes, specifically, with different outer diameters (here, the diameter is the diameter of the circular tablet C).

  That is, when the diameter of the tablet C is different, the optical path length of the first optical path changes, so that the optical path length of the second optical path is adjusted so as to be the same as the optical path length of the first optical path. Therefore, the tablets C having different diameters can be continuously inspected with the same apparatus with high accuracy. For example, in the case of inspecting a tablet having a large outer diameter, the first optical path length is shortened. Therefore, the second optical path length is shortened by moving the two reflecting plates 10A and 10B in the transport direction A. Conversely, when inspecting a tablet having a small outer diameter, the first optical path length becomes long, so that the optical path length of the second optical path is lengthened by moving in the direction opposite to the transport direction A (left side in FIG. 5). To do. Since the size of the tablet C may differ depending on the thickness as well as the diameter, the optical path length can also be adjusted by moving the two reflecting plates 10A and 10B in the transport direction depending on the thickness.

  In the present embodiment, the main reflecting portion 10 is composed of the two reflecting plates 10A and 10B. However, the main reflecting portion 10 may be composed of one plate-like or massive member having two reflecting surfaces. Further, the two reflectors 10A and 10B are configured in a letter-like shape when viewed from the side, and the light is reciprocated up and down. You may make it reciprocate.

  Further, the direction changing mirror 9 may be omitted, and the line sensor 3 may be arranged in a downwardly arranged manner above the conveyance path so that the light reflected upward is directly incident on the line sensor 3.

  Moreover, although the case where the second optical path length is configured to be adjustable is shown in the above description, the first optical path length may be configured to be adjustable, or both the first optical path length and the second optical path length may be configured. May be configured to be adjustable.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the light D1, E1 from two side surfaces adjacent in the circumferential direction among the four divided side surfaces is converted into two mirrors 4, 5, 6 and 7, the direction is changed to the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction X of the tablet C, that is, the scanning direction R of the line sensor 3. However, as shown in FIG. Light D1 and E1 from two side surfaces located on the left side, that is, the left side surface (or right side surface) on the front side in the transport direction X and the right side surface (or left side surface) on the rear side in the transport direction X. The scanning direction R of the line sensor 3 may be changed by 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. In the case of FIG. 4B, light from the left side surface on the front side in the transport direction of the tablet C is transmitted by the first mirror 16 and light from the right side surface on the rear side in the transport direction is transmitted by the first mirror 13. The reflected light D2 and E2 is reflected by the second mirrors 17 and 14, respectively, in the direction parallel to the transport direction X and toward the side where the two approach each other. The direction is changed, and the changed lights D3 and E3 are reflected upward by the third mirrors 18 and 15, respectively.
However, in the case of FIG. 4 (b), there is a disadvantage that the apparatus becomes complicated and upsized due to the fact that the number of mirrors as the changing means is increased by two on the side surface in total. It is preferable to simplify the apparatus as shown in FIG. In addition, Z shown to Fig.4 (a), (b) has shown the moving direction of the image of the tablet C. FIG.

  Moreover, about the division | segmentation of the surrounding surface of the tablet C, it is changeable, and as shown in FIG.3 (b) other than dividing as shown to Fig.3 (a), it is 45 degree | times with respect to a conveyance direction. The two straight lines X1 and Y1 that intersect each other at an angle may be divided into four side surfaces, and irradiation light (images) from the transport direction and the transport width direction may be taken into the line sensors, respectively. Furthermore, the case where the peripheral surface of the tablet C is divided into four side surfaces and the four side surfaces are received by the line sensor of the first inspection unit and the line sensor of the second inspection unit is shown. May be divided into two side surfaces, and the two side surfaces may be respectively received. However, it is preferable to receive four side surfaces because detection accuracy at the left and right ends is improved as compared with the case of receiving two side surfaces.

  Although a line sensor is shown as the imaging means, an area sensor may be used. In addition, since the inspection object has a cylindrical shape, the imaging means is installed above or below the inspection object so as to image the upper surface or lower surface of the inspection object as the main inspection surface, and from the side surface as the sub inspection surface. The light (image) is changed by the changing means and captured by the imaging means. Conversely, the side surface of the object to be inspected is set as the main inspection surface and the upper surface or the lower surface is set as the sub-inspection surface. The imaging unit may be installed and light from the upper surface or the lower surface may be changed by the changing unit and sent to the imaging unit. Further, the sub-inspection surface may not be orthogonal to the main inspection surface.

  In addition, although the case where a total of three images of the main inspection surface and two sub inspection surfaces are captured by one imaging unit has been described, a total of two images of the main inspection surface and one sub inspection surface are captured by one imaging unit. It is also applicable to cases.

  The conveying means may be constituted by a belt conveyor provided with a flat belt, and in addition to various belt conveyors, any structure may be used as long as the tablet C is placed and conveyed. May be. Furthermore, although it comprised so that it might image while conveying with the conveyance means 1 which conveys the tablet C which is a test object, it is also possible to image by positioning the tablet C individually at a predetermined position without using the conveyance means 1. Is possible.

  Further, the irradiation means may be composed of a halogen lamp or the like. Further, the irradiation means may be omitted when the inspection object is imaged under a situation where there is a sufficient amount of light, or when the inspection object itself emits light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance means, 1A ... Conveyance rail, 1B ... Top part, 1M ... Groove part, 2 ... Casing, 3 ... Line sensor (imaging means), 4, 6 ... 1st reflection part (change means), 5, 7 ... 2nd Reflector (change means), 8 ... determination processing part, 9 ... mirror, 10 ... main reflector, 10A, 10B ... reflector, 11-18 ... mirror, 12 ... auxiliary reflector (fourth mirror), 10, 12 ... Optical path redundancy means, C ... Tablet, K ... First inspection section, R ... Scanning direction, A, X ... Transport direction, X1, Y1 ... Straight line, Y ... Transport width direction

Claims (9)

In the appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the inspection object (C),
The imaging means (3) installed so as to image the main inspection surface when the inspection object (C) is viewed from a specific direction, and the inspection object (C) is viewed from a direction different from the specific direction. Changing means (4, 5, 6, 7) for changing the direction of light from the sub-inspection surface so that the image of the sub-inspection surface is taken into the imaging means (3). In order to match the optical path length of the second optical path from the main inspection surface of the inspection object (C) to the imaging means (3) with the optical path length of the first optical path from the secondary inspection surface to the imaging means (3) of An appearance inspection apparatus comprising optical path redundancy means (10, 12) for making the second optical path redundant. In the appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the inspection object (C),
An imaging means (3) installed so as to image one of the upper surface and the side surface of the inspection object (C), and the other image of the upper surface and the side surface of the inspection object (C). Change means (4, 5, 6, 7) for changing the direction of the light from the other so as to be taken into (3), and the second from the other of the inspection object (C) to the imaging means (3). Optical path redundancy means (10, 12) for making the second optical path redundant in order to match the optical path length of the second optical path from the one of the inspection objects (C) to the imaging means (3) to the optical path length of one optical path. An appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: In the appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the inspection object (C),
An imaging means (3) installed so as to image one of the lower surface and the side surface of the inspection object (C), and the other image of the lower surface and the side surface of the inspection object (C). Change means (4, 5, 6, 7) for changing the direction of the light from the other so as to be taken into (3), and the second from the other of the inspection object (C) to the imaging means (3). Optical path redundancy means (10, 12) for making the second optical path redundant in order to match the optical path length of the second optical path from the one of the inspection objects (C) to the imaging means (3) to the optical path length of one optical path An appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising:   The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path is configured such that an optical path length thereof can be adjusted.   The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the optical path redundancy means is configured to adjust an optical path length of the second optical path.   As the optical path redundancy means (10, 12), a main reflection part (10) for changing the traveling direction of light in a state substantially parallel to the opposite direction obtained by inverting 180 degrees, and the main reflection part (10) And an auxiliary reflecting portion (12) for changing the light of the light to the imaging means (3) side, and the main reflecting portion (10) is configured to be movable in the traveling direction of light or in the direction opposite to the traveling direction. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 5.   A transport unit (1) for transporting the inspection object (C) along a transport path is provided, and the imaging unit (3) is scanned in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the inspection object (C). The line sensor is installed so as to image the upper surface or the lower surface of the inspection object (C) conveyed by the conveying means (1), and the changing means (4, 5, 6). , 7) changes the direction of light from the side surface so that an image of the side surface of the inspection object (C) is taken into the line sensor.   The peripheral surface of the inspection object (C) is divided into four side surfaces in a plan view in a conveyance direction of the inspection object (C) and a conveyance width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. A first reflecting portion (4, 4) that reflects light emitted in the direction intersecting the transport direction from the two left and right side surfaces on the front side in the transport direction or the two left and right side surfaces on the rear side in the transport direction to the transport path side. 6) and a second reflecting portion (5, 7) for reflecting light from the first reflecting portion (4, 6) upward or downward to constitute the changing means, and the main means The moving direction of the reflecting portion (10) is set to the direction of conveyance of the inspection object (C) or the direction opposite to the conveying direction, and the auxiliary reflecting portion (12) transmits light from the main reflecting portion (10) upward or downward. It is arranged so as to reflect the light, and the light from the upper or lower surface of the inspection object (C) is transported Or appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the conveying direction is reflected in the opposite direction comprising let a third reflecting portion sending the main reflection section (10) (11).   Two inspection units each including the imaging unit (3), the changing unit (4, 5, 6, 7) and the optical path redundancy unit (10, 12) are provided before and after the transport direction, and the two One of the inspection units includes a first inspection unit that inspects a specific two side surface of the upper surface and four side surfaces of the inspection object (C), and the other of the two inspection units is an inspection. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 8, comprising a second inspection unit that inspects the lower surface and the remaining two side surfaces of the object (C).

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