JP2010111500A - Reversing device, visual inspection device, and reversing method for flat workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reversing device for a flat workpiece, capable of reliably reversing a flat workpiece. <P>SOLUTION: This reversing device includes a work loading part 44 in which workpieces conveyed from a loading line Li thereto are arranged, a work unloading part 36 which is located under the work loading part 33, and a generally semi-arcuate half-circumferential sliding passage 5 which is formed from the work loading part 33 to the work unloading part 36 and disposed around an axis parallel to the loading line Li. When a workpiece is disposed in the workpiece loading part 33 with the front side thereof facing upward, the workpiece is reversed by laterally sliding along the half-circumferential sliding passage 5 by its own weight while the rear surface of the workpiece faces toward the inner peripheral side of the half-circumferential sliding passage 5, and the workpiece is disposed in the work loading part 36 with the rear surface side thereof facing upward. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flat work reversing apparatus, a visual inspection apparatus, and a reversing method for reversing the front and back of a flat work.

  As apparatuses for reversing the front and back while conveying a flat workpiece, those shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below are well known.

  The work reversing device shown in Patent Document 1 uses a transfer conveyor whose transfer path is curved in an arc shape to cause a flexible tire strip material (workpiece) to U-turn downward about the approach direction. Invert the front and back.

In addition, the work reversing device shown in Patent Document 2 rotates the pair of transport conveyors together with the printed circuit board halfway forward (or backward) with the printed circuit board as a work sandwiched between the pair of upper and lower transport conveyors. The front and back are reversed.
JP-A-4-71658 JP-A-5-218625

  However, since the workpiece reversing device shown in Patent Document 1 is configured to transport the workpiece along a downward trajectory by the conveyor, driving means such as a motor for driving the conveyor, or driving means Therefore, there is a problem that the power transmission means for transmitting the driving force is required, and the structure is complicated and the cost is increased accordingly.

  In addition, since the work reversing device shown in Patent Document 2 is configured such that the work is sandwiched between a pair of transport conveyors and the work is rotated together with the transport conveyor, a cylinder or the like for driving the pair of transport conveyors to the work is driven. In addition to the means, driving means such as a motor for rotating the workpiece together with the pair of conveyors is required, and similarly to Patent Document 1, the structure is complicated and the cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a flat work reversing device, an appearance inspection device, and a reversing method capable of reliably reversing a flat work while simplifying the structure and reducing the cost. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following structure.

[1] A flat work reversing device for reversing the front and back of a flat work,
A work carry-in section in which works to be carried in along the carry-in line are arranged;
A workpiece unloading section provided at a position below the workpiece loading section;
A semi-circular running path having a substantially semicircular arc shape provided from the work carry-in part to the work carry-out part and arranged along an axis parallel to the carry-in line,
When the work is disposed with the front side facing upward in the work carry-in portion, the work is kept with its back side facing the inner circumference side of the half-circular run path, due to its own weight along the half-run run path. A flat work reversing device characterized in that the work is reversed by sliding on a side slip and the work is arranged with the back side facing upward in the work carry-out part.

[2] The semicircular sliding path has an upper sliding surface provided in the upper half and a lower sliding surface provided in the lower half,
The upper sliding surface is configured by a 1/4 arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, and the lower sliding surface is configured by a 1/4 arc-shaped inner peripheral surface,
2. The flat work reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece that slides on the upper sliding surface is transferred to the lower sliding surface and slides on the lower sliding surface.

[3] The upper sliding surface is constituted by a region of a quarter circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the reversing shaft having a circular cross section,
3. The flat work reversing device according to item 2, wherein the lower sliding surface is constituted by an inner peripheral surface of a reversing chute having a ¼ arc-shaped cross section.

[4] When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the curvature radius of the upper running surface is “r”,
w <r
4. The flat work reversing device according to 2 or 3 above, which is configured such that the above relationship is established.

[5] When the width of the workpiece is “w”, the thickness of the workpiece is “t”, the radius of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “r”, and the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface is “R”,
r + t <R <r + w
5. The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 4, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the above relationship is established.

[6] The width of the workpiece is “w”, the radius of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “r”, the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface is “R”, and the lower sliding surface is centered on the curvature of the upper sliding surface. When the amount of horizontal displacement at the center of curvature is “x”,
x + R-r <w
6. The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 5, which is configured so that the above relationship is established.

[7] The width of the workpiece is “w”, the radius of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “r”, the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface is “R”, and the lower sliding surface with respect to the center of curvature of the upper sliding surface is When the amount of horizontal displacement at the center of curvature is “x” and the amount of vertical displacement is “y”,
√ (x ² + y ² ) + R−r <w
7. The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 6, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the relationship is established.

[8] When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the curvature radius of the upper running surface is “r”,
2.5w ≦ 2r ≦ 3.5w
The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 7, which is configured such that the above relationship is established.

[9] When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface is “R”,
1.4w ≦ R ≦ 2.0w
9. The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 8, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the above relationship is established.

[10] When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the amount of horizontal displacement of the center of curvature of the lower sliding surface with respect to the center of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “x”,
0.6w ≦ x ≦ 0.9w
10. The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 9, which is configured so that the above relationship is established.

[11] When the thickness of the workpiece is “t” and the vertical displacement amount of the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is “y”,
2.5t ≦ y ≦ 5.0t
11. The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 10, which is configured such that the above relationship is established.

[12] When the horizontal displacement amount of the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is “x” and the vertical displacement amount is “y”,
0.3x ≦ y ≦ 0.5x
12. The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 2 to 11, which is configured so that the above relationship is established.

  [13] The flat work reversing device according to any one of [1] to [12], wherein the work has a long shape, and the work is arranged so that a length direction thereof is along the carry-in line.

  [14] The flat work reversing device according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 13, wherein the work is constituted by a flat tube made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in which a plurality of flow holes extending in the length direction are provided in parallel. .

[15] A flat work visual inspection device for inspecting the state of the front and back surfaces of a flat work,
A surface inspection transport machine that transports the work to the downstream side along the transport line with the surface side facing up,
A surface imaging device that is provided above the surface inspection transport machine and images the surface of a workpiece on the surface inspection transport machine;
A work reversing device for reversing the work carried out from the front surface inspection transport machine so that the back side faces upward;
A back surface inspection transport machine for transporting the work whose back side is directed upward by the work reversing device, to the downstream side along the transport line;
A back surface imaging device that is provided above the back surface inspection conveyor and images the back surface of the work on the back surface inspection conveyor;
A flat work appearance inspection apparatus, wherein the work reversing apparatus is configured by the flat work reversing apparatus described in any one of 1 to 14 above.

[16] A work carry-in section for arranging a flat work carried along the carry-in line;
A workpiece unloading section provided at a position below the workpiece loading section;
A semi-circular semi-circular running path that is provided from the work carry-in part to the work carry-out part and is arranged around an axis parallel to the carry-in line;
The workpiece arranged with the front side facing upward in the workpiece carry-in section is slid by side-sliding along the half-circular sliding route with its own weight, with the back side facing the inner circumferential side of the semi-circular sliding route. The method of reversing a flat work characterized in that the front and back of the work are reversed.

  According to the flat work reversing device of the invention [1], the work is slid sideways along a substantially semicircular arc-shaped half-sliding path, so that the work can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Can be reliably reversed.

  According to the flat work reversing device of the inventions [2] and [3], the structure can be simplified more reliably.

  According to the flat work reversing device of the invention [4] to [12], the work can be reversed more reliably.

  According to the flat work reversing device of the invention [13], a long work can be reversed.

  According to the flat work reversing device of the invention [14], the flat tube made of aluminum or aluminum alloy can be reversed.

  According to the flat work appearance inspection apparatus of the invention [15], both the front and back surfaces of the flat work can be reliably inspected.

  According to the flat work reversing method of the invention [16], the work is slid by the dead weight along the substantially semicircular arc-shaped semi-sliding path and reversed, so that the flat work can be reliably reversed. .

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance inspection device for a flat tube to which a reversing device (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a front view. As shown in both figures, this appearance inspection apparatus images the entire peripheral surface from the front side to the back side of the flat tube (6) while transporting the flat tube (6) as a workpiece along the length direction. To do.

  The flat tube (6) as the inspection object is constituted by, for example, a long tube (band plate shape) tube made of aluminum or aluminum alloy used in a heat exchanger for a car air conditioner or a room air conditioner. The flat tube (6) is constituted by a porous tube in which a plurality of communication holes (refrigerant circulation holes) extending continuously in the tube length direction are provided in parallel along the width direction.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flat tube (6) has a small cross-sectional area and a long length. Specifically, the thickness (tube height) of the flat tube (6) is adjusted to 1.0 to 2.0 mm, the width is 12 to 20 mm, and the length is 190 to 700 mm.

  Needless to say, the flat tube (6) does not have flexibility or elasticity but is hard.

  The appearance inspection apparatus according to this embodiment includes a surface inspection apparatus (1), a reversing apparatus (3), a back surface inspection apparatus (2), and a discharge conveyor (in order from the upstream side along the direction in which the flat tube (6) is conveyed. 40) is arranged. Further, a surface defect discharge device (41) is disposed between the surface inspection device (1) and the reversing device (3), and a back surface defect discharge device is disposed between the back surface inspection device (2) and the discharge conveyor (40). (42) is arranged.

  The surface inspection device (1) includes a surface inspection conveyor (10) for conveying the flat tube (6) and surface imaging devices (11), (12), and (13) for imaging the surface side of the flat tube (6). I have.

  The surface inspection conveyor (10) conveys the flat tube (6) along the conveyance line (Li) with the front side (one side) facing up and the back side (other side) installed. It can be done. In the appearance inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment, the length direction of the flat tube (6) to be transported matches the transport line (Li).

  The surface imaging device includes a surface center camera (11), a surface one-side camera (12), and a surface other-side camera (13) that are arranged in order from the upstream side along the transport line (Li). ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the surface center camera (11) is provided in the perpendicular | vertical upper direction of the axial center (conveyance line Li) of the flat tube (6) conveyed by the conveyor (10). In this camera (11), the imaging direction (optical axis) is set to be vertically downward, and an intermediate region of the flat tube (6) is included in the camera field of view. Accordingly, the surface center camera (11) can capture an image of an intermediate region excluding both side edges on the surface (upper surface) of the flat tube (6).

  The front surface side camera (12) is provided above one side with respect to the flat tube (6) conveyed by the conveyor (10). In this camera (12), the imaging direction (optical axis) is set obliquely downward, and one side edge of the flat tube (6) is included in the camera field of view. Therefore, the one-side edge portion including the one-side end edge on the surface (upper surface) of the flat tube (6) can be imaged by the one-surface camera (12).

  The surface other side camera (13) is provided above the other side with respect to the flat tube (6) conveyed by the conveyor (10). In this camera (13), the imaging direction (optical axis) is set obliquely downward, and the other side edge of the flat tube (6) is included in the camera field of view. Therefore, the other side edge portion including the other side edge on the surface (upper surface) of the flat tube (6) can be imaged by the front side camera (13).

  In the present embodiment, the surface inspection conveyer (10) constitutes a surface inspection conveyor, and the surface central camera (11), the surface one-side camera (12), and the surface other-side camera (13) A central imaging means, a surface one-side imaging means, and a surface other-side imaging means are configured.

  The surface defect discharge device (41) is disposed on the side of the transfer line (Li) on the downstream side of the surface inspection conveyor (10), and is a tube discharge guide member (41a) that can be moved forward / backward with respect to the transfer line. Is provided.

  The tube discharge guide member (41a) of the surface defect discharge device (41) is disposed in a position retracted from the transfer line (Li) in the initial state (normal state). Then, when the flat tube (6) determined to be defective by the surface inspection device (1) is unloaded from the downstream side of the surface inspection conveyor (10), the tube discharge guide member (41a) is conveyed. Enter the line (Li). As a result, the flat tube (6) having a defective surface is guided laterally by the tube discharge guide member (41a) and discharged to a predetermined defective product discharge portion that deviates from the transport line (Li). . Needless to say, when the flat tube (6) determined to have a good surface condition (passed) is unloaded from the downstream side of the surface inspection conveyor (10), the tube discharge guide member (41a) advances. The flat tube (6) is fed into a reversing device (3) described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reversing device (3) includes a reversing mechanism (31) disposed corresponding to the downstream end of the conveyor (10) in the surface inspection device (1), and the reversing mechanism (31). ) On the lower side of the flat tube (6) by the reversing mechanism (31), and the inverted flat tube (6) is reversed by the conveyor (31). 30) to convey downstream.

  Here, in this embodiment, the conveyance line (Li) of the surface inspection apparatus (1) is arranged on the same line as the carry-in line (Li) of the reversing apparatus (3). Further, the carry-out line (Lo) of the reversing device (3) is arranged on the same line as the transfer line (Lo) of the back surface inspection device (2) described later. In the present embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the conveyance line of the surface inspection device (1) and the carry-in line of the reversing device (3) and the reversing device (3). The same code | symbol is used for a carrying-out line and the conveyance line of a back surface inspection apparatus (2).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the reversing mechanism (31) in the reversing device (3) includes a reversing shaft (32) having a circular cross section and one side of the reversing shaft (32) (the right side in FIG. 5). Reversing chute (35) disposed from the upper part to the lower side.

  The axis of the reversing shaft (32) is arranged parallel to the carry-in line (Li). Furthermore, the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the reversing shaft (32) is configured as a work carry-in part (33), and this work carry-in part (33) is arranged corresponding to the carry-in line (Li). Therefore, the flat tube (6) carried out from the downstream side of the surface inspection conveyor (10) is arranged in the work carrying-in part (33) of the reversing shaft (32).

  The workpiece carry-in section (33) is provided at a position slightly shifted in one side direction (right side direction in FIG. 5) with respect to the central axis (c1) of the reversing shaft (32) in a plan view state. Accordingly, the flat tube (6) carried into the workpiece carry-in section (33) is disposed at a position slightly displaced in one side direction (right side in FIG. 5) from the upper end position of the reversing shaft (32).

  Moreover, the area | region for substantially 1/4 circumference from an upper end part to one side edge part is formed as an upper side sliding surface (52) among the outer peripheral surfaces of a reversing shaft (32), and the work of a reversing shaft (32) The flat tube (6) arranged in the carry-in part (33) slides in a side slip (right side in FIG. 5) along the upper sliding surface (52) by its own weight.

  The reversing chute (35) has a vertically divided 1/4 cylindrical shape with a quarter arc shape in cross section, and a region from the one end to the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the reversing shaft (32), It is arranged so as to cover from the outside. A vertical plate portion (37) extending vertically upward is integrally formed at the upper end portion of the reversing chute (35).

  The inner peripheral surface of the reversing chute (35) is configured as a lower sliding surface (56), and slides down from the upper sliding surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) to the lower sliding surface (56). The mounted flat tube (6) slides by side slip along the lower sliding surface (56) in the other side direction (left side in FIG. 5) due to its own weight.

  As will be described in detail later, the arc central axis (c2) of the lower sliding surface (56) and the central axis (c1) of the reversing shaft (32) are arranged in parallel, but are not arranged on the same line. That is, the curvature center (c2) of the lower sliding surface (56) is displaced in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the curvature center (c1) of the upper sliding surface (52).

  Here, the upper running surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) is formed by a 1/4 outer circumferential surface inclined in an arc shape toward one side, and the back side of the flat tube (6) is the upper running surface ( 52) is guided along the upper sliding surface (52) with the back side facing the center (inner circumference) and the front side facing the outside (outer circumference). Glide. Therefore, when the upper sliding surface (52) finishes sliding, the flat tube (6) is in a state where the front surface side is inclined in one side direction (right side in FIG. 5) and the back surface side is inclined in the other side direction (left side in the same figure). .

  Further, since the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35) is formed by a 1/4 inner peripheral surface inclined in an arc shape toward the other side, the upper sliding surface ( The flat tube (6) slid down from 52) to the lower sliding surface (56) is grounded on the lower sliding surface (56). Accordingly, since the surface side of the flat tube (6) is guided by the lower sliding surface (56), the back side of the flat tube (6) faces the center side (inner peripheral side) and the surface side faces outward (outer peripheral side). Glide along the lower planing surface (56) while still facing. Therefore, at the point of time when the lower sliding surface (56) finishes sliding, the flat tube (6) is in a state where the front surface side is directed downward and the back surface side is directed upward.

  Thus, the flat tube (6) slides on the sliding surfaces (52) and (56), so that the front and back are reversed. In the reversed state, the flat tube (6) is discharged from the lower end of the reversing chute (35) and is conveyed to the conveyor (30). Is transferred upstream.

  In the present embodiment, the semi-circular semicircular arc is formed by the upper sliding surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) and the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35) in the reversing device (3). Path (5) is configured. In other words, the front half (upper half) of the semicircular running path (5) is constituted by the upper running surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32), and the latter half (lower half of the semicircular running path (5). Part) is constituted by the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a stopper (39) is disposed on the other side (left side in FIG. 5) on the conveyor (30) so as to face the lower end of the reversing chute (35). The flat tube (6) discharged from the lower end of 35) onto the conveyor (30) is stopped at a predetermined position on the conveyor (30) by contacting the contact surface (39a) of the stopper (39). It has become so. In this embodiment, this stop position is configured as a work carry-out section (36), and the carry-out line (Lo) is set correspondingly to the work discharge section (36).

  And the flat tube (6) arrange | positioned at the workpiece carrying-out part (36) of a conveyor (30) is conveyed downstream along a carrying-out line (Lo) by the conveyor (30).

  Next, in this embodiment, the positional relationship of each structural member of the reversing mechanism (31) will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, when the width of the flat tube (6) is “w” and the diameter (outer diameter) of the reversing shaft (32) is “d”, the following relational expression (1) is established. preferable.

  2w <d (1)

  That is, when this relational expression (1) is established, the upper sliding surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) can be set to an appropriate length, and the flat tube (6) along the upper sliding surface (52). Can be slid to a stable state.

  Needless to say, when the radius of the reversing shaft (32) (the radius of curvature of the upper sliding surface 52) is “r”, the above relational expression (1) can be rewritten as “w <r”.

  Further, assuming that the radius of curvature of the reversing chute (35) (the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface 56) is "R" and the thickness of the flat tube (6) is "t", the following relational expression (2) is established. Is preferred.

  r + t <R <r + w (2)

  That is, when this relational expression (2) is satisfied, the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35) can be set to an appropriate length, and the flat tube is formed along the lower sliding surface (56). (6) can be slid to a stable state.

  Further, the center axis (center) of the reversing shaft (32) is “c1”, the center of curvature of the reversing chute (35) (the center of curvature of the lower sliding surface 57) is “c2”, the center axis (c1) and the center axis of curvature. When the horizontal offset amount (position shift amount) with (c2) is “x”, the following relational expression (3) is preferably established.

  x + R−r <w (3)

  That is, when this relational expression (3) is established, a moderately large gap can be formed between the terminal end of the upper sliding surface (52) and the starting end of the lower sliding surface (56). The flat tube (6) can be smoothly transferred from the upper sliding surface (52) to the lower sliding surface (56), and the occurrence of a reversal error can be effectively prevented.

  Further, when the offset amount in the vertical direction between the central axis (c1) of the reversing shaft (32) and the central axis of curvature (c2) of the reversing chute (35) is “y”, the following relational expression (4) is established. Is preferred.

√ (x ² + y ² ) + R−r <w (4)

That is, when this relational expression (4) is established, an appropriate gap can be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the reversing shaft (32) and the lower sliding surface (56). A flat tube (6) can be smoothly slid along. Needless to say, √ (x ² + y ² ) corresponds to an offset amount (a) between the central axis (c1) of the reversing shaft (32) and the central axis of curvature (c2) of the reversing chute (35). .

  Moreover, in this embodiment, in order to slide the flat tube (6) along the upper sliding surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) in a more stable state, it is preferable to satisfy the following relational expression (5). .

  2.5w ≦ d ≦ 3.5w (5)

  Needless to say, “d” may be replaced with “2r” in the relational expression (5).

  Furthermore, in order to make the flat tube (6) run more stably along the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35), it is preferable to satisfy the following relational expression (6).

  1.4w ≦ R ≦ 2.0w (6)

  Furthermore, in order to make the flat tube (6) run more smoothly along the reversing shaft (32) and the reversing chute (35), it is preferable to satisfy the following relational expressions (7) to (9). .

0.6w ≦ x ≦ 0.9w (7)
2.5t ≦ y ≦ 5.0t (8)
0.3x ≦ y ≦ 0.5x (9)

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the back surface inspection apparatus (2) arrange | positioned downstream of the inversion apparatus (3) is the back surface inspection conveyor (20) similarly to the said surface inspection apparatus (1), Back surface imaging devices (21) to (23) are provided. The back surface inspection conveyor (20) is arranged corresponding to the reversing part conveyor (30), and the flat tube (6) carried out from the downstream side of the reversing part conveyor (30) is the back surface inspection conveyor (20). It is supposed to be transferred to.

  As described above, the conveyance line (Lo) of the flat tube (6) by the back surface inspection conveyor (20) is on the same line as the unloading line (Lo) of the flat tube (6) by the reversing section conveyor (30). Has been placed.

  The back surface imaging device is configured by a back surface central camera (21), a back surface one side camera (22), and a back surface other side camera (23) arranged in order from the upstream side along the transport line (Lo).

  As shown by the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 3, the rear surface center camera (21) is similar to the front surface center camera (11) in the axis of the flat tube (6) transported by the conveyor (20) (the transport line Lo). ) And the optical axis (imaging direction) is arranged vertically downward so that the back (upper surface) intermediate region of the transported flat tube (6) can be imaged.

  The back side one camera (22) and the back side other camera (23) are located above one side and above the other side of the conveyor (20), similarly to the front side camera (12) and the front side camera (13). Are arranged obliquely downward so that each imaging direction (each optical axis) faces the one side edge and the other side edge of the flat tube (6) to be conveyed, respectively. The back side one side edge part and back side other side edge part of 6) can each be imaged.

  The defective rear surface discharge device (42) is disposed on the side of the conveyance line on the downstream side of the rear surface inspection conveyor (20), and is provided with a tube discharge guide member (42a) that can be moved forward and backward with respect to the conveyance line. ing.

  The tube discharge guide member (42a) of the defective back surface discharge device (42) is retracted in the initial state and disposed at a position retracted from the transport line (Lo). And when the flat tube (6) determined to be defective by the back surface inspection device (2) is unloaded from the downstream side of the back surface inspection conveyor (20), the tube discharge guide member (42a) is conveyed. Enter the line (Lo). As a result, the flat tube (6) having a defective rear surface is guided laterally by the tube discharge guide member (42a) and discharged to a predetermined discharge portion that deviates from the transport line (Lo). Needless to say, the tube discharge guide member (42a) advances when the flat tube (6) determined to have a good back surface condition (passed) is unloaded from the downstream side of the back surface inspection conveyor (20). The flat tube (6) is sent to a discharge conveyor (40) which will be described later.

  The discharge conveyor (40) corresponds to the back surface inspection conveyor (20) and is arranged along the transfer line, and the flat tube (6) carried out from the downstream side of the back surface inspection conveyor (20) is a discharge conveyor. (40). The flat tube (6) thus transferred to the discharge conveyor (40) is transported downstream by the discharge conveyor (40) and sent to a predetermined acceptable product collection unit.

  The appearance inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a controller (not shown). By this controller, the inspection apparatuses (1) and (2), the reversing apparatus (3), the discharge conveyor (40), and the defective discharge apparatus (41) (42). ) And the like are controlled, and the operations described later are automatically performed. For example, the controller is configured by a personal computer or the like, and normally includes a sub-controller provided for each facility and a main controller that controls the sub-controllers to be integrated.

  Moreover, the controller can determine the quality of the appearance of the flat tube (6) based on information from the surface imaging devices (11), (12), and (13) of the surface inspection device (1). That is, the controller performs flattening based on the image data of the tube surface intermediate region imaged by the surface center camera (11) and the image data of the tube surface both side edges imaged by the surface both-side cameras (12) (13). The quality of the appearance of the entire surface of the tube (6) is judged. For example, when the controller recognizes that each image data includes an abnormal portion such as a scratch having a predetermined size or more, the controller determines that the appearance state on the surface of the flat tube (6) is poor. . The partial image data acquired by the cameras (11), (12), and (13) are connected to create image data for the entire surface, and the appearance status of the entire surface is determined from the image data for the entire surface. You may make it judge.

  Further, the controller can determine whether the appearance state of the entire back surface is good or not based on information from the cameras (21), (22), and (23) of the back surface inspection apparatus (2) in the same manner as described above. .

  In the flat tube appearance inspection apparatus in the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, when an operation start command is given to the controller, an inspection is performed from a tube carry-in apparatus (not shown) to the upstream side of the conveyor (10) in the surface inspection apparatus (1). The flat tube (6) as an object is carried in. At this time, the flat tube (6) is arranged such that its length direction coincides with the transport line (Li) of the conveyor (10).

  In addition, in this embodiment, when a flat tube (6) is carried in to a conveyor (10), in the flat tube (6), the surface (upper surface side) which faces upwards is made into the surface side, and the downward direction is made into a lower side. The facing side surface (lower surface side) will be described as the back surface side.

  The flat tube (6) carried on the conveyor (10) is conveyed by the conveyor (10), and when the flat tube (6) passes through the area of the surface central camera (11), its surface central camera. By (11), the surface intermediate region of the flat tube (6) is imaged. Further, when the flat tube (6) passes through the respective areas of the front-side cameras (12) and (13), the both-side edges of the surface of the flat tube (6) are obtained by the front-side cameras (12) and (13). Each region is imaged. On the other hand, based on the imaging data of the cameras (11), (12), and (13), the controller determines the quality of the appearance state in the entire surface of the flat tube (6) as described above.

  When the surface state is determined to be defective (failed), as described above, the tube discharge guide member (41a) of the surface defect discharge device (41) advances and the guide member (41a). Accordingly, the flat tube (6) having a defective surface is discharged to a predetermined defective product discharge portion.

  When the surface condition is determined to be good (pass), the flat tube (6) carried out from the surface inspection conveyor (10) is moved closer to the other side of the reversing shaft (32) in the reversing device (3). , I.e., at the work carry-in part (33). As described above, the flat tube (6) disposed on the reversing shaft (32) extends along the upper sliding surface (52) of the reversing shaft (32) and the lower sliding surface (56) of the reversing chute (35). Then, it slides down so as to slide sideways, the front and back are reversed, and is discharged from the lower end of the reversing chute (35) to the conveyor (30). The flat tube (6) discharged from the reversing chute (35) abuts against the stopper (39) and is disposed at a predetermined position, that is, at the work carry-out part (36).

  Thus, the flat tube (6) placed on the work carry-out section (36) on the conveyor (30) is conveyed by the conveyor (30) in such a state that the back surface side faces upward and the front surface side faces downward. It is sent to the conveyor (20) of (2).

  The flat tube (6) sent to the back surface inspection device (2) is conveyed by the conveyor (20), and when the flat tube (6) passes through the region of the back surface central camera (21), the back surface center The camera (21) images the back center region of the flat tube (6). Further, when the flat tube (6) passes through the respective areas of the back side cameras (22) and (23), the back side cameras (22) and (23) cause the both side edge areas of the back side of the flat tube (6) to be changed. Each is imaged. On the other hand, based on the imaging data of each camera (21), (22), and (23), the quality of the appearance state in the entire back surface of the flat tube (6) is determined in the same manner as described above.

  If the back surface state is defective, the tube discharge guide member (42a) of the back surface defective discharge device (42) advances as described above, and the flat member with the back surface defect is developed by the guide member (42a). (6) is discharged to a predetermined defective product discharge section.

  Further, when the back surface state is good, the flat tube (6) is sent from the back surface inspection conveyor (20) to the carry-out conveyor (40), and is conveyed by the conveyor (40) to a predetermined acceptable product collection unit. .

  As described above, according to the reversing device (3) in the appearance inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, the half-circular running path (5) is formed around the axes (c1) and (c2) parallel to the carry-in line (Li). Since the flat tube (6) is slid along the semicircular sliding path (5), the flat tube (6) as a heat exchange tube made of aluminum or aluminum alloy must be reliably reversed. Can do.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the flat tube (6) is slid by its own weight and reversed, driving means such as a cylinder and a motor for reversing the flat tube (6) and the driving force of the driving means are used. Power transmission means for transmitting is not required, and accordingly, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the tube inversion drive means and power transmission means are not required, inadvertent troubles associated with those power systems can be prevented, and the operation reliability can be further improved.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the semi-circular sliding path (5) can be formed only by combining the cylindrical reversing shaft (32) and the 1/4 cylindrical reversing chute (35). The structure can be simplified.

  Moreover, in the inversion apparatus (3) of this embodiment, the direction in which the flat tube (6) before inversion is carried in and the direction in which the flat tube (6) after inversion is carried out are set to the same direction. Therefore, the reversing device (3) can be installed on the inspection line of the appearance inspection device without any trouble.

  Moreover, according to the appearance inspection apparatus of this embodiment, after imaging the surface of the flat tube (6) with the cameras (11), (12), and (13) arranged downward in the surface inspection apparatus (1), the flat tube After inverting (6) by the reversing device (3), the back surface of the flat tube (6) is imaged by the cameras (21), (22), and (23) arranged downward in the back surface inspection device (2). Therefore, when imaging the entire peripheral surface from the front surface side to the back surface side of the flat tube (6), it is possible to arrange all the cameras (11) to (13) (21) to (23) downward. it can. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matters such as dust and dust floating around the lens from being deposited on the converging lenses of the cameras (11) to (13) (21) to (23). A clean state can be maintained at all times, accurate image data can be obtained, and high inspection accuracy can be maintained.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the front surface side and the back surface side of the flat tube (6) are respectively imaged by three cameras, the entire area on the front surface side and the back surface side can be reliably imaged, and the tube The entire peripheral surface can be reliably inspected without omission, and the inspection accuracy can be further improved.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the two-sided camera (12) is tilted downward so as to face both side edges of the flat tube (6) above both sides of the conveyors (10) and (20) in the inspection apparatuses (1) and (2). ) (13) (22) (23) is arranged, and both side cameras (12) (13) (22) (23) are used to image both side edges of the flat tube (6). Depending on the vertically downward central camera (11) (21), both side edges of the flat tube (6), which is difficult to image, can be reliably imaged, the entire circumferential surface of the tube can be inspected more reliably, and inspection accuracy is further improved Can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the appearance inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment, after the surface inspection, the flat tube (6) is inverted and the back surface inspection is performed. Therefore, the back surface inspection can be performed under the same conditions as the surface inspection. For this reason, the front surface inspection device and the back surface inspection device can be formed in the same configuration, and by sharing the structure, maintenance properties such as maintenance and inspection can be improved, operability can be improved, and cost can be reduced. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the flat tube is inspected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the present invention, any workpiece can be inspected as long as it is a flat workpiece.

  The flat work reversing device of the present invention can be used as a device for reversing a flat work.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance inspection apparatus of the flat tube to which the inversion apparatus of the flat tube which is embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a front view which shows the external appearance inspection apparatus of embodiment. It is a side view which shows the surface inspection apparatus applied to the external appearance inspection apparatus of embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the tube inversion apparatus of embodiment. It is a side view which shows the tube inversion apparatus of embodiment. It is a side view which expands and shows the inversion mechanism in the tube inversion apparatus of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Conveyor for surface inspection (Conveyor for surface inspection)
20 ... Conveyor for back side inspection (Conveyor for back side inspection)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Reversing device 32 ... Reversing shaft 33 ... Work carrying-in part 35 ... Reversing chute 36 ... Work carrying-out part 5 ... Semicircular sliding path 52 ... Upper sliding surface 56 ... Lower sliding surface 6 ... Flat tube (work)
Li ... Loading line

Claims (16)

A flat work reversing device for reversing the front and back of a flat work,
A work carry-in section in which works to be carried in along the carry-in line are arranged;
A workpiece unloading section provided at a position below the workpiece loading section;
A semi-circular running path having a substantially semicircular arc shape provided from the work carry-in part to the work carry-out part and arranged along an axis parallel to the carry-in line,
When the work is disposed with the front side facing upward in the work carry-in portion, the work is kept with its back side facing the inner circumference side of the half-circular run path, due to its own weight along the half-run run path. A flat work reversing device characterized in that the work is reversed by sliding on a side slip and the work is arranged with the back side facing upward in the work carry-out part. The semi-circular sliding path has an upper sliding surface provided in the upper half and a lower sliding surface provided in the lower half,
The upper sliding surface is configured by a 1/4 arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, and the lower sliding surface is configured by a 1/4 arc-shaped inner peripheral surface,
The flat work reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece that slides on the upper sliding surface is transferred to the lower sliding surface and slides on the lower sliding surface. The upper sliding surface is constituted by a region of a quarter circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the reversing shaft having a circular cross section,
The flat work reversing device according to claim 2, wherein the lower sliding surface is constituted by an inner peripheral surface of a reversing chute having a ¼ arc-shaped cross section. When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the curvature radius of the upper sliding surface is “r”,
w <r
The flat work reversing device according to claim 2, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the relationship is established. When the width of the workpiece is “w”, the thickness of the workpiece is “t”, the radius of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “r”, and the radius of curvature of the lower sliding surface is “R”,
r + t <R <r + w
The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the reversing device is configured so as to satisfy the above relationship. The width of the workpiece is “w”, the curvature radius of the upper sliding surface is “r”, the curvature radius of the lower sliding surface is “R”, and the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is When the amount of horizontal displacement is “x”,
x + R-r <w
The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the relationship is established. The width of the workpiece is “w”, the curvature radius of the upper sliding surface is “r”, the curvature radius of the lower sliding surface is “R”, and the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is When the horizontal displacement amount is “x” and the vertical displacement amount is “y”,
√ (x ² + y ² ) + R−r <w
The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the above relationship is established. When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the curvature radius of the upper sliding surface is “r”,
2.5w ≦ 2r ≦ 3.5w
The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the reversing device is configured so that the relationship is established. When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the curvature radius of the lower sliding surface is “R”,
1.4w ≦ R ≦ 2.0w
The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the reversing device is configured so as to satisfy the above relationship. When the width of the workpiece is “w” and the horizontal displacement amount of the center of curvature of the lower sliding surface with respect to the center of curvature of the upper sliding surface is “x”,
0.6w ≦ x ≦ 0.9w
The flat workpiece reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the inversion device is configured so as to satisfy the above relationship. When the thickness of the workpiece is “t” and the vertical displacement amount of the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is “y”,
2.5t ≦ y ≦ 5.0t
The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, which is configured so that the relationship is established. When the horizontal displacement amount of the curvature center of the lower sliding surface with respect to the curvature center of the upper sliding surface is “x”, and the vertical displacement amount is “y”,
0.3x ≦ y ≦ 0.5x
The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, which is configured so that the relationship is established.   The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the work has a long shape, and the work is disposed such that a length direction of the work is along a carry-in line.   The flat work reversing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the work is constituted by a flat tube made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in which a plurality of flow holes extending in the length direction are provided in parallel. A flat work visual inspection device for inspecting the state of the front and back surfaces of a flat work,
A surface inspection transport machine that transports the work to the downstream side along the transport line with the surface side facing up,
A surface imaging device that is provided above the surface inspection transport machine and images the surface of a workpiece on the surface inspection transport machine;
A work reversing device for reversing the work carried out from the front surface inspection transport machine so that the back side faces upward;
A back surface inspection transport machine for transporting the work whose back side is directed upward by the work reversing device, to the downstream side along the transport line;
A back surface imaging device that is provided above the back surface inspection conveyor and images the back surface of the work on the back surface inspection conveyor;
A flat work appearance inspection apparatus, wherein the work reversing apparatus is configured by the flat work reversing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A workpiece carry-in section for placing flat workpieces carried along the carry-in line;
A workpiece unloading section provided at a position below the workpiece loading section;
A semi-circular semi-circular running path that is provided from the work carry-in part to the work carry-out part and is arranged around an axis parallel to the carry-in line;
The workpiece arranged with the front side facing upward in the workpiece carry-in section is slid by side-sliding along the half-circular sliding route with its own weight, with the back side facing the inner circumferential side of the semi-circular sliding route. The method of reversing a flat work characterized in that the front and back of the work are reversed.

Images