JP2019039683A - Optical inspection device and abnormality detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect the presence of abnormality in at least one of an excitation light irradiation unit and a fluorescence detection unit.SOLUTION: An optical inspection unit 1 comprises: an excitation light irradiation unit 4 for applying excitation light in an inspection region R for causing foreign matter F stuck to a specimen S to generate fluorescence; an optical conversion unit 8, installed in the inspection region R, for causing fluorescence to be generated by excitation light; a fluorescence detection unit 52 for detecting the fluorescence generated by foreign matter F in the inspection region R and the fluorescence generated by the optical conversion unit 8 and outputting a detection signal for the detected fluorescence; and a processing unit 6 for detecting the presence of abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 on the basis of the detection signal for the fluorescence generated by the optical conversion unit 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not a foreign object is contained in an object to be inspected, and an abnormality detection method in the optical inspection apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to inspect whether a fish or other fillet contains foreign substances such as parasites, the excitation light such as ultraviolet rays is irradiated to the fillet from the excitation light irradiation unit, and fluorescence generated from the foreign matter is detected. Describes a detection device that detects a fluorescence by a fluorescence detection unit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-311253

  In the detection apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the fluorescence detection unit detects fluorescence generated from a foreign substance, not the excitation light emitted from the excitation light irradiation unit. For example, when an abnormality such as lamp breakage occurs in the excitation light irradiation unit, the detection signal of the fluorescence detection unit remains in a state where no fluorescence is detected. For this reason, even if it sees the detection signal of a fluorescence detection part, it cannot detect whether the foreign material which generate | occur | produces fluorescence exists in a test | inspection area | region, or abnormality has arisen in the excitation light irradiation part.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical inspection apparatus and an abnormality detection method capable of detecting the presence / absence of at least one of an excitation light irradiation unit and a fluorescence detection unit.

  An optical inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport unit that transports an object to be inspected to an inspection region, an excitation light irradiation unit that irradiates the inspection region with excitation light for generating fluorescence in a foreign substance attached to the inspection object, Detects and detects the light conversion unit that is installed in the inspection area and generates fluorescence by excitation light, and the fluorescence generated by the foreign substance by excitation light and the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit by excitation light in the inspection area A fluorescence detection unit that outputs the detected fluorescence detection signal, and an abnormality detection unit that detects the presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit And comprising.

  In this optical inspection apparatus, the light conversion unit generates fluorescence when excitation light is irradiated in the inspection region. For this reason, the fluorescence detection unit can detect the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit regardless of whether or not a foreign object is attached to the inspection object conveyed into the inspection region. Here, when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit, an abnormality also occurs in the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit. Therefore, the abnormality detection unit can detect the presence or absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit.

  In the optical inspection apparatus, the abnormality detection unit may detect the presence / absence of at least one of the abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the presence / absence of the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit. When there is no detection signal of the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit, the case where the light conversion unit does not generate fluorescence because the excitation light is not irradiated or the case where the light conversion unit generates fluorescence This is a case where the detected fluorescence is not detected. Therefore, the abnormality determination unit can easily detect the presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit only by determining the presence / absence of the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit.

  In the optical inspection apparatus, the inspection region includes a first region and a second region different from the first region, the light conversion unit is installed in the first region, and the transport unit holds the second object to be inspected. You may convey to an area | region. In this case, the abnormality detection unit can easily identify the fluorescence detection signal generated by the foreign matter and the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit.

  The optical inspection apparatus further includes a conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of the inspection object in the conveyance unit, and the conveyance control unit detects that there is an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit by the abnormality detection unit. When it is done, the conveyance of the inspection object in the conveyance unit may be stopped. As a result, the optical inspection apparatus can detect the inspection object in the inspection region in a state where the foreign object cannot be detected correctly due to an abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit or the like even when the inspection object is successively transferred by the transfer unit. It can be prevented from continuing being conveyed.

  In the optical inspection device, the optical inspection device may further include a housing that covers the inspection region, and the light conversion unit may be fixed to the housing. In this case, the light conversion unit can be easily installed in the inspection region using the housing.

  In the optical inspection apparatus, the housing may be provided so as to be separated from the transport unit. In this case, for example, when the worker performs a cleaning operation or the like of the transport unit, the casing can be separated from the transport unit. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the cleaning operation and the like of the transport unit.

  The optical inspection device further includes a filter that attenuates light in a wavelength band other than the fluorescence wavelength band, the fluorescence detection unit detects fluorescence incident on the light capturing unit of the fluorescence detection unit, and the filter You may be provided in the position which opposes an insertion part. In this case, light other than fluorescence is prevented from entering the light capturing unit of the fluorescence detection unit. Thereby, the optical inspection apparatus can improve the detection accuracy of the fluorescence detection unit.

  In the optical inspection apparatus, an excitation light reflection preventing process may be performed on a mounting surface on which an object to be inspected in the transport unit is mounted. Thereby, the ratio that the reflected light of the excitation light reflected by the mounting surface around the inspection object enters the fluorescence detection unit can be reduced.

  According to the abnormality detection method of the present invention, the light conversion unit that irradiates the inspection object conveyed to the inspection area with the excitation light to detect the foreign matter adhering to the inspection object and generates fluorescence by the excitation light is provided in the inspection area. An abnormality detection method in an optical inspection apparatus installed in an irradiation step of inputting a control signal for irradiating an inspection area with excitation light for generating fluorescence in a foreign substance and a light conversion unit, and an excitation step, In the inspection region, the fluorescence detection unit detects the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit by the excitation light irradiated by the excitation light irradiation unit, and the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit detected in the fluorescence detection step. And an abnormality detection step in which the abnormality detection unit detects whether there is an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit.

  In this optical inspection apparatus, a light conversion unit is installed in the inspection region. The light conversion unit generates fluorescence when the excitation light irradiation unit irradiates the excitation light in the examination region in the irradiation step. For this reason, in the fluorescence detection step, the fluorescence detection unit can detect the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit regardless of whether or not a foreign object is attached to the inspection object conveyed in the inspection region. Here, when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit, an abnormality also occurs in the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit. Therefore, in the abnormality detection step, the abnormality detection unit can detect the presence / absence of at least one of the abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit.

It is a block diagram of the optical inspection apparatus of one Embodiment. It is the side view which looked at the housing | casing of the optical inspection apparatus of FIG. 1 from the carrying-in entrance side. It is the perspective view which showed the whole optical inspection apparatus in the state by which the housing | casing has been arrange | positioned on a conveyance part. It is the perspective view which showed the whole optical inspection apparatus in the state where the housing | casing was spaced apart from the conveyance part. It is the schematic which shows the test | inspection area | region when it sees along the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of a to-be-inspected object. It is the schematic which shows the test | inspection area | region at the time of seeing the conveyor belt side from a detection part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in an abnormality detection method.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical inspection device 1 includes a housing 2, a transport unit 3, an excitation light irradiation unit 4, a detection unit 5, a processing unit (abnormality detection unit) 6, and a display unit 7. The light conversion part 8 and the leg part 9 (refer FIG. 3) are provided. The optical inspection apparatus 1 is an apparatus for inspecting whether or not the foreign object F is included in the inspection object S. The inspection object S is mainly fillets of seafood such as mackerel, horse mackerel, squid, sardine, salmon, saury and hockey, and the foreign matter F is mainly a parasite such as anisakis and yellowtail nematode.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 2 covers the inspection area R and shields the inspection area R from external light (such as indoor artificial light and natural light). The inspection region R is a three-dimensional region in the inner region L of the housing 2 where the detection unit 5 detects fluorescence. The housing 2 includes a pedestal portion 21 and a protective case 23.

  The pedestal unit 21 is disposed above the transport unit 3 so that the inspection object S transported by the transport unit 3 can pass therethrough. In the pedestal portion 21, a carry-in port 21 a for carrying the inspection object S into the internal region L and a carry-out port 21 b for carrying out the inspection item S from the internal region L are formed. External light can enter the housing 2 via the carry-in port 21 a and the carry-out port 21 b of the pedestal portion 21, but the internal region L is protected from external light by the pedestal portion 21 and the protective case 23. It is well shielded. That is, the housing 2 only needs to shield the internal region L (examination region R) from external light so that detection of fluorescence described later is not hindered, and completely shields the internal region L from external light. It doesn't have to be a thing.

  The protective case 23 is joined to the upper part of the pedestal 21 and houses the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the detection unit 5. The protective case 23 is made of a metal such as stainless steel or a material such as plastic resin. The protective case 23 includes a box-shaped main body 24 having an opening 24a, and a flange 25 protruding from the periphery of the opening 24a. The pedestal 21 and the protective case 23 are, for example, a bolt B (see FIG. 3) inserted into an insertion hole formed in the flange 25, and the inserted bolt B is inserted into a screw hole formed in the pedestal 21. Joined by screwing.

  The pedestal portion 21 has a window portion 21 c having a smaller area than the opening portion 24 a of the protective case 23. A light transmissive transparent member 21d made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin, plastic resin, glass or the like is fitted into the window portion 21c. This prevents dust or water from entering the inside of the main body 24 from the transport unit 3. The size of the window portion 21c is such that the detection unit 5 does not hinder the fluorescence emitted from the foreign substance F through the window portion 21c, and the size capable of irradiating the excitation light of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 to the inspection region R. Is formed.

  The transport unit 3 transports the inspection object S to the inspection region R. The transport unit 3 includes an endless conveyor belt 31, a pair of rollers 32, a support unit 33, a drive motor 34, and a transport control unit 35.

  The conveyor belt 31 has a conveyance surface (mounting surface) 31a parallel to an XY plane (a plane including an X axis and a Y axis orthogonal to each other, for example, a horizontal plane). The conveyor belt 31 conveys the inspection object S placed on the conveyance surface 31a from the carry-in port 21a to the carry-out port 21b along the carrying direction A parallel to the X axis. The surface of the conveyor belt 31 (the surface forming the conveyance surface 31a) is subjected to an antireflection treatment for suppressing reflection of excitation light, which will be described later. The antireflection treatment is, for example, coloring using a dye having a light absorptivity with respect to excitation light. An example of such a conveyor belt 31 is a black belt containing carbon.

  The pair of rollers 32 is disposed inside the endless conveyor belt 31 and supports the conveyor belt 31. The drive motor 34 drives the roller 32 to rotate. When the drive motor 34 rotates the roller 32, the transport surface 31 a of the conveyor belt 31 moves around the pair of rollers 32. The conveyance control unit 35 controls driving of the drive motor 34. The support part 33 supports the roller 32 so that attachment or detachment is possible. The support part 33 is supported by the leg part 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 2 is provided so as to be movable in a direction away from the transport unit 3. Specifically, the pedestal portion 21 is supported by the support portion 33 of the conveyance portion 3 via the rotation shaft 28 extending in the conveyance direction, and the pedestal portion 21 and the protective case 23 are separated from the conveyance portion 3. It is provided so as to be movable. When the pedestal 21 moves in a direction away from the transport unit 3, the protective case 23 joined to the pedestal 21 also moves in a direction away from the transport unit 3 integrally. When the housing 2 is placed on the transport unit 3, the base unit 21 and the support unit 33 are fixed to each other by the fixing unit 29.

  The leg portion 9 supports the housing 2 and the conveyance portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the excitation light irradiation unit 4 irradiates the inspection region R with excitation light for generating fluorescence in the foreign matter F adhering to the inspection object S. Specifically, the excitation light irradiation unit 4 irradiates excitation light in an area including the light conversion unit 8 and the area through which the conveyed inspection object S passes in the inspection area R. The excitation light irradiation unit 4 is attached to the inner wall surface of the protective case 23, and is on one side of the transport surface 31a (on one side of the transport surface 31a in a direction parallel to the Z axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis). For example, the light conversion unit 8 and the inspection object S are irradiated with excitation light from the upper side of the conveyance surface 31a in the vertical direction.

  The excitation light irradiation unit 4 includes a light source 41, a light collecting unit 42, and a first optical filter 43. The light source 41 has a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, light emitting diodes) arranged along a direction parallel to the Y axis. Based on the control signal input from the processing unit 6, the light source 41 receives power supplied from a power source (not shown) and emits excitation light. The condensing unit 42 is an optical element (for example, a cylindrical lens), and the excitation light irradiated from the light source 41 passes through the light conversion unit 8 and the conveyed inspection object S in the inspection region R. The light is condensed to a range including the area. Here, the condensing part 42 condenses the diverging light irradiated from the light source 41 into parallel light. The first optical filter 43 transmits the excitation light, while attenuating light having a wavelength longer than the wavelength band of the excitation light. For example, when the excitation light has an ultraviolet wavelength band, the first optical filter 43 attenuates light having a visible wavelength band.

  The light conversion unit 8 is installed in the inspection region R and generates fluorescence by the excitation light irradiated by the excitation light irradiation unit 4. The light conversion part 8 is being fixed to the inner wall surface 21e of the base part 21, as FIG.2 and FIG.4 shows. The light conversion unit 8 includes a fluorescent unit 81 and a fixing unit 85. One end portion of the fixing portion 85 is fixed to the inner wall surface 21 e, and the other end portion extends toward the conveyor belt 31. The fluorescent unit 81 is attached to the surface of the fixed unit 85 on the detection unit 5 side. The fluorescent part 81 generates fluorescence by the excitation light emitted by the excitation light irradiation part 4. In the present embodiment, the fluorescent part 81 includes a fluorescent layer that generates fluorescence by excitation light and an adhesive layer, and is attached to the fixing part 85. As a material that generates fluorescence in the fluorescent part 81, for example, halosilicate or aluminate that generates blue fluorescence is used.

  The detection unit 5 detects fluorescence generated in the inspection region R set in advance. The detection unit 5 is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing 2 and is on one side of the conveyance surface 31a (on one side of the conveyance surface 31a in a direction parallel to the Z axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis). For example, fluorescence is detected from the upper side of the conveyance surface 31a in the vertical direction.

  The detection unit 5 includes a second optical filter 51 and a fluorescence detection unit 52. The fluorescence detection unit 52 constitutes a line sensor. The fluorescence detection unit 52 includes a plurality of light detection elements arranged along a direction parallel to the Y axis (a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction A when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport surface 31a). Yes. This light detection element is a light receiving element such as a photodiode, for example, and detects fluorescence incident on the light capturing part 52 a of the fluorescence detection part 52. The fluorescence detection unit 52 detects the fluorescence generated by the foreign substance F in the inspection region R and the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8, and outputs a detection signal of the detected fluorescence.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fluorescence detection unit 52 defines an area that extends along the width direction (direction parallel to the Y axis) of the conveyor belt 31 as an inspection area R. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the casing 2 and the like are omitted, and only the main part is shown. The inspection region R includes a first region R1 and a second region R2. 1st area | region R1 and 2nd area | region R2 are located in a line along the direction orthogonal to the direction where the detection part 5 and the conveyance surface 31a of the conveyor belt 31 oppose. In the present embodiment, the first region R1 and the second region R2 are arranged along the width direction of the conveyor belt 31 (direction parallel to the Y axis). The light conversion unit 8 is installed in the first region R1. The transport unit 3 transports the inspection object S to the second region R <b> 2 by the conveyor belt 31. That is, the first region R1 is a region from the detection unit 5 toward the light conversion unit 8. The second region R2 is a region from the detection unit 5 toward the conveyor belt 31. In addition, 1st area | region R1 and 2nd area | region R2 are along the direction (this embodiment width direction of the conveyor belt 31) orthogonal to the direction where the detection part 5 and the conveyance surface 31a of the conveyor belt 31 oppose. If they are aligned, there may be a portion where the first region R1 and the second region R2 overlap each other when viewed from above (when viewed along the Z-axis direction).

  The fluorescence detection signal output by the fluorescence detection unit 52 includes whether or not fluorescence is generated in the first region R1 (that is, whether or not fluorescence is generated by the light conversion unit 8), and the second region R2. Information on whether or not fluorescence is generated (that is, whether or not fluorescence is generated by the foreign matter F).

  The second optical filter 51 transmits the fluorescence generated by the foreign matter F and the light conversion unit 8, while attenuating light in a wavelength band other than the fluorescence wavelength band. In the present embodiment, the second optical filter 51 attenuates light having a shorter wavelength than the fluorescent wavelength band. For example, when the fluorescence has a visible wavelength band, the second optical filter 51 attenuates light having an ultraviolet wavelength band. The second optical filter 51 is provided at a position facing the light capturing part 52 a of the fluorescence detection part 52. Each light detection element of the fluorescence detection unit 52 detects fluorescence transmitted through the second optical filter 51.

  The excitation light that the excitation light irradiation unit 4 irradiates the inspection object S is light for causing the foreign matter F and the light conversion unit 8 to generate fluorescence, for example, light having an ultraviolet wavelength band. The fluorescence generated by the foreign substance F and the light conversion unit 8 by the irradiation of the excitation light is light having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the excitation light, for example, light having a visible wavelength band. In addition, the center wavelength of excitation light should just shift | deviate with respect to the center wavelength of fluorescence. That is, with respect to the excitation light and the fluorescence, it is not necessary that the wavelength bands are completely deviated as long as the center wavelengths (peak wavelengths) are deviated from each other. However, it is preferable that the wavelength band of excitation light and the wavelength band of fluorescence are completely deviated.

  The processing unit 6 generates an image based on the fluorescence detection signal output from the detection unit 5. The display unit 7 displays the image generated by the processing unit 6.

  Further, the processing unit 6 emits excitation light from the light source 41 by outputting a control signal to the excitation light irradiation unit 4 based on an instruction to start detection of the foreign substance F by a user or the like. Furthermore, the processing unit 6 also functions as an abnormality detection unit that detects the presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52. The processing unit 6 detects the presence or absence of abnormality while the power for irradiating the excitation light is being supplied to the excitation light irradiation unit 4. Hereinafter, details of the abnormality detection process for detecting the presence or absence of abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the like in the processing unit 6 will be described.

  The processing unit 6 detects an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8 among the fluorescence detection signals output from the detection unit 5. The presence or absence of is detected.

  Here, the light conversion unit 8 generates fluorescence when the excitation light is irradiated from the excitation light irradiation unit 4 into the inspection region R. Therefore, when there is no abnormality in the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52, the fluorescence detection unit 52 can detect the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8 by the excitation light emitted from the excitation light irradiation unit 4. However, when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52, the fluorescence detection unit 52 cannot detect the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8. Further, when the mounting angle of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 is deviated and the excitation light is not irradiated to the light conversion unit 8, the fluorescence detection unit 52 cannot detect the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8. If the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8 is not incident on the light capturing unit 52a of the fluorescence detection unit 52 due to a deviation in the mounting angle of the detection unit 5, the fluorescence detection unit 52 is generated by the light conversion unit 8. The detected fluorescence cannot be detected.

  Therefore, the processing unit 6 does not have the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8 regardless of whether or not the power for irradiating the excitation light is supplied to the light source 41, that is, the light conversion unit 8. Is detected, it is detected that there is an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52. When the processing unit 6 detects that there is an abnormality, the processing unit 6 may display an alarm display or the like indicating that an abnormality has occurred on the display unit 7. When detecting that there is an abnormality, the processing unit 6 may output an alarm sound or the like indicating that an abnormality has occurred from a speaker or the like, or turn on a lamp. When the processing unit 6 detects that there is an abnormality, the conveyance control unit 35 of the conveyance unit 3 stops the drive motor 34 and stops conveyance of the inspection object S by the conveyor belt 31. The processing unit 6 continuously performs the above-described detection of the presence / absence of an abnormality until an instruction to end detection of the foreign matter F is given after an instruction to start detection of the foreign matter F by the user or the like.

  The processing unit 6 is an electronic control unit including, for example, a CPU [Central Processing Unit], a ROM [Read Only Memory], and a RAM [Random Access Memory]. In the processing unit 6, for example, various functions are realized by loading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program loaded in the RAM by the CPU. The processing unit 6 may be composed of a plurality of electronic control units.

  The conveyance control unit 35 is an electronic control unit having the same configuration as the processing unit 6. The processing unit 6 and the conveyance control unit 35 may be configured as one electronic control unit.

  Next, the flow of processing of an abnormality detection method for detecting the presence or absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 in the optical inspection device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 7 is started based on an instruction to start detection of the foreign matter F by the user or the like, and is ended based on an instruction to end detection of the foreign matter F by the user or the like. Further, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is started again from the start after the processing reaches the end.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing unit 6 outputs a control signal for irradiating excitation light to the light source 41 in order to irradiate the examination region R with the light source 41 (S101: irradiation step). The fluorescence detection unit 52 detects fluorescence generated by excitation light in the examination region R (S102: fluorescence detection step). The processing unit 6 detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8 detected by the fluorescence detection unit 52. (S103: Abnormality detection step).

  As described above, in the optical inspection apparatus 1, the light conversion unit 8 generates fluorescence when excitation light is irradiated in the inspection region R. For this reason, the detection part 5 can detect the fluorescence which the light conversion part 8 generate | occur | produced irrespective of whether the foreign material has adhered to the to-be-inspected object S conveyed in the test | inspection area | region R. FIG. Here, when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52, an abnormality also occurs in the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8. Accordingly, the processing unit 6 can detect the presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8. As a result, the inspection of the inspection object S in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 is suppressed.

  The processing unit 6 detects the presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 based on the presence / absence of the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8. Here, the case where there is no fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8 means that the light conversion unit 8 does not generate fluorescence because the excitation light is not irradiated, or the light conversion unit 8 generates fluorescence. This is a case where the generated fluorescence is not detected. Therefore, the processing unit 6 easily detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit 52 only by determining the presence or absence of the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8. it can.

  The light conversion unit 8 is disposed in the first region R1 of the inspection region R. The inspection object S is transported to the second region R2 of the inspection region R. In this way, the light conversion unit 8 and the inspection object S are arranged and transported in different regions within the inspection region R. In this case, the processing unit 6 can easily identify the fluorescence detection signal generated by the foreign substance F and the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8.

  The conveyance control unit 35 stops the conveyance of the inspection object S in the conveyance unit 3 when the processing unit 6 determines that there is an abnormality in the excitation light irradiation unit 4 or the like. Thereby, even if the inspection object S is conveyed one after another by the conveyance unit 3, the optical inspection apparatus 1 remains in the inspection region in a state where the foreign matter F cannot be detected correctly due to an abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 or the like. It is possible to prevent the inspection object S from continuing to be conveyed to R, and the inspection object S from passing through the inspection region R one after another.

  The light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the inner wall surface 21 e of the pedestal unit 21. In this case, the light conversion unit 8 can be easily installed in the inspection region R using the pedestal 21 of the housing 2. The fluorescent part 81 of the light conversion part 8 is attached to the fixing part 85 by pasting. Thereby, for example, even when dirt adheres to the fluorescent part 81, the operator can easily replace the fluorescent part 81.

  The light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the housing 2 to which the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the detection unit 5 are fixed. As described above, the light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the casing 2 to which the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the detection unit 5 are fixed, so that the light conversion unit 8 is positioned and detected with respect to the excitation light irradiation unit 4. Positioning of the light conversion unit 8 with respect to the unit 5 can be easily performed. For example, when the excitation light irradiation unit 4 is fixed to the first member and the light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the second member movable with respect to the first member, the positional deviation between the first member and the second member is also It is necessary to fix the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the light conversion unit 8 in consideration. As in the embodiment, when the light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the casing 2 to which the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the detection unit 5 are fixed, the positional deviation between the first member and the second member as described above. Therefore, the light conversion unit 8 can be easily installed.

  The housing | casing 2 is provided with respect to the conveyance part 3 so that separation | spacing is possible. In this case, for example, when the worker performs a cleaning operation or the like of the conveyor belt 31 of the transport unit 3, the casing 2 can be separated from the transport surface 31 a of the conveyor belt 31. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the cleaning work and the like of the transport surface 31a. When the housing 2 is separated from the conveyance surface 31a of the conveyance unit 3, the light conversion unit 8 is also separated from the conveyance surface 31a. For this reason, it is suppressed that the fountain flow for cleaning work is applied to the light conversion unit 8 when the worker performs the cleaning operation of the transport unit 3, and the light conversion unit 8 is touched by a wiping towel or the like. The occurrence of wiping and the like is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light conversion unit 8 from being worn.

  Further, the excitation light irradiation unit 4, the detection unit 5, and the light conversion unit 8 are fixed to the housing 2. For this reason, after the housing 2 is separated from the transport unit 3, when the housing 2 is fixed to the support unit 33 of the transport unit 3 again, the fixing position of the housing 2 with respect to the support unit 33 is displaced. Even if it does, the positional relationship among the excitation light irradiation part 4, the detection part 5, and the light conversion part 8 does not change. For this reason, it is suppressed that the light conversion part 8 remove | deviates from the test | inspection area | region R of the fluorescence detection part 52. FIG. Moreover, it is suppressed that the light conversion part 8 remove | deviates from the irradiation area | region of the excitation light of the excitation light irradiation part 4. FIG.

  The detection unit 5 is provided with a second optical filter 51. In this case, light other than fluorescence is prevented from entering the light capturing unit 52a of the fluorescence detection unit 52. Thereby, the optical inspection device 1 can improve the detection accuracy of the fluorescence detection unit 52.

  The conveyance surface 31a of the conveyor belt 31 is subjected to an antireflection treatment for excitation light. Thereby, the ratio that the reflected light of the excitation light reflected by the conveyance surface 31a around the inspection object S enters the fluorescence detection unit 52 can be reduced.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the processing unit 6 detects that there is an abnormality in the excitation light irradiation unit 4 or the like when there is no fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8, but the light conversion unit 8 generates it. It is not limited to the case where there is no fluorescence detection signal. For example, the processing unit 6 determines the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the fluorescence detection unit when the intensity of the detection signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference intensity based on the fluorescence detection signal generated by the light conversion unit 8. It may be detected that at least one of 52 is abnormal. As a result, the detection accuracy is sufficiently high when the detection intensity falls beyond the range where gain (adjustment) is possible, or when the S / N ratio has fallen beyond the allowable range due to gain (adjustment). In a state where it cannot be obtained, the inspection object S is suppressed from being conveyed without the foreign matter F being properly detected.

In the embodiment, the light conversion unit 8 is fixed to the inner wall surface 21 e of the pedestal unit 21, but may be fixed to the main body 24 of the protective case 23 as long as the light conversion unit 8 is disposed in the inspection region R.
The fluorescent part 81 may be formed by applying a coating containing a material that generates fluorescence to the fixed part 85.

  In the embodiment, the transparent member 21d is fitted into the window portion 21c of the pedestal portion 21 in the optical inspection device 1, but a filter having the same function as the second optical filter 51 is fitted in place of the transparent member 21d. It may be. The filter fitted in the window portion 21 c of the pedestal portion 21 faces the light capturing portion 52 a of the fluorescence detection portion 52. For this reason, even if it is a case where it replaces with the 2nd optical filter 51 and a filter is inserted in the window part 21c of the base part 21, the optical inspection apparatus 1 has the same effect as the case where the 2nd optical filter 51 is provided. Play.

  For example, the light conversion unit 8 may be disposed on the conveyance surface 31 a of the conveyor belt 31. In this case, a plurality of light conversion units 8 may be provided at predetermined intervals along the moving direction of the conveyance surface 31a. As a result, in the processing unit 6, whether the conveyor belt 31 is operating based on the presence / absence of the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit 8 in addition to the detection of the abnormality of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the like described above. Whether or not can be detected. Further, the processing unit 6 can detect the conveyance speed of the inspection object S on the conveyor belt 31 based on the detection cycle of the light conversion unit 8 arranged at predetermined intervals. When the light conversion unit 8 is installed on the transport surface 31a, the light conversion unit 8 serves as a mark, and the user sees the image displayed on the display unit 7 so that the inspection object S including the foreign matter F is light. It is possible to easily grasp where the converter 8 is located.

  For example, the inspection object S may be meat other than seafood fillets, and the foreign matter F may be bones, scales, internal organs, and the like other than parasites. The excitation light is not limited to light having a wavelength band in the ultraviolet region, and may be light having a wavelength that can cause the foreign substance F to generate fluorescence. In addition, the excitation light irradiation unit 4 is located on the downstream side of the detection unit 5 in the transport direction A, but may be located on the upstream side of the detection unit 5 in the transport direction A. Further, the processing unit 6 may inspect whether or not the foreign object F is included in the inspection object S based on the generated image. In this case, the presence / absence of the foreign matter F in the inspection object S can be automatically specified (with respect to the image), and the operator can also confirm it visually.

  As a material for generating fluorescence in the light conversion unit 8, a material that generates blue fluorescence is taken as an example. For example, a material that generates red fluorescence such as phosphate or germanate is used. Also good. When the light conversion unit 8 generates red fluorescence, the wavelength band of the excitation light and the fluorescence wavelength band can be further shifted as compared with the blue fluorescence. Thereby, the fluorescence detection part 52 can detect fluorescence accurately.

  Two or more light conversion units 8 may be installed in the inspection region R. In this case, the processing unit 6 may detect whether or not the mounting angle of the detection unit 5 is shifted based on whether or not all the light conversion units 8 are detected by the fluorescence detection unit 52.

  Moreover, although the example in which the second optical filter 51 attenuates the wavelength band on the shorter wavelength side than the fluorescence is shown, the second optical filter 51 may be configured to attenuate the wavelength band on the longer wavelength side than the fluorescence. In this case, it is possible to further suppress erroneous detection of light other than fluorescence by the fluorescence detection unit 52 by attenuating the external light in a longer wavelength band slightly than the fluorescence incident from the outside.

  Further, while the power for irradiating the excitation light is supplied to the light source 41, the processing unit 6 detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in the excitation light irradiation unit 4 or the like. It is not indispensable to be continuously performed while the inspection is being performed. Timing other than this timing (for example, an omission of detection of the inspection object S such as a gap between the one inspection object S being carried out and the subsequent inspection object S). May be performed at a regular timing that does not occur). Further, the presence / absence of abnormality may be detected while a control signal for irradiating excitation light is being input to the light source 41. Also in this case, it is not essential that the detection of the presence / absence of the abnormality is continuously performed while the control signal is input to the light source 41. In addition, when the power of the optical inspection apparatus 1 is turned on, power is automatically supplied to the light source 41, and the presence / absence of abnormality is detected while the power is supplied to the light source 41. It may be broken. Also in this case, it is not essential that the detection of the presence / absence of the abnormality be continuously performed while power is supplied to the light source 41.

  The inspection area R may not be divided into the first area R1 and the second area R2, and the light conversion unit 8 may be installed in an area where the inspection object S is conveyed. When the processing unit 6 detects that there is an abnormality, the conveyance control unit 35 stops the conveyance of the inspection object S by the conveyance unit 3, but it is not essential to stop the conveyance. The light conversion unit 8 may be attached to a part other than the housing 2 as long as it is arranged in the inspection region R. The housing 2 may not be configured to be separable from the transport unit 3. It is not essential that the detection unit 5 includes the second optical filter 51. In addition, the 2nd optical filter 51 (1st optical filter 43) may be comprised by 1 sheet, and may be comprised by overlapping several sheets.

  Finally, for each foreign substance F, a preferable range of the wavelength of excitation light and the range of the wavelength of fluorescence generated thereby will be exemplified.

  When the foreign substance F is anisakis, the preferable wavelength range of excitation light is 300 to 400 nm (more preferably 330 to 350 nm), and the wavelength range of the fluorescence generated thereby is 380 to 500 nm (more preferably Is 420 to 450 nm).

  When the foreign substance F is a yellow nematode, a suitable wavelength range of excitation light is 350 to 450 nm (more preferably, 370 to 390 nm), and a wavelength range of fluorescence generated thereby is 420 to 530 nm ( More preferably, it is 440-470 nm.

  When the foreign substance F is mackerel bone, the wavelength range of suitable excitation light is 320 to 380 nm (more preferably 320 to 340 nm), and the wavelength range of the fluorescence generated thereby is 380 to 430 nm ( More preferably, it is 380 to 400 nm.

  When the foreign substance F is a Thai scale, a preferable wavelength range of excitation light is 300 to 400 nm (more preferably 320 to 340 nm), and a wavelength range of fluorescence generated thereby is 380 to 500 nm ( More preferably, it is 380 to 400 nm.

  When the foreign substance F is a visceral organ in Thailand, a preferable wavelength range of excitation light is 320 to 500 nm (more preferably 360 to 380 nm), and a wavelength range of fluorescence generated thereby is 480 to 580 nm ( More preferably, it is 510-530 nm.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical inspection apparatus, 2 ... Housing | casing, 3 ... Conveyance part, 4 ... Excitation light irradiation part, 6 ... Processing part (abnormality detection part), 8 ... Light conversion part, 31a ... Conveyance surface (mounting surface), 35 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Conveyance control part 51 ... 2nd optical filter (filter), 52 ... Fluorescence detection part, 52a ... Light taking-in part, F ... Foreign material, R ... Inspection area | region, R1 ... 1st area | region, R2 ... 2nd area | region, S ... inspection object.

Claims (9)

A transport unit for transporting the inspection object to the inspection area;
An excitation light irradiation unit that irradiates the inspection region with excitation light for generating fluorescence in the foreign matter attached to the inspection object;
A light conversion unit installed in the inspection region and generating fluorescence by the excitation light;
In the inspection region, a fluorescence detection unit that detects the fluorescence generated by the foreign matter by the excitation light and the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit by the excitation light and outputs a detection signal of the detected fluorescence When,
Based on the detection signal of the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit, an abnormality detection unit that detects presence / absence of at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit;
An optical inspection apparatus comprising:   The abnormality detection unit detects presence / absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the presence / absence of the detection signal of the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit. The optical inspection apparatus according to 1. The inspection area includes a first area and a second area different from the first area,
The light conversion unit is installed in the first region,
The optical inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit transports the inspection object to the second region. A transport control unit for controlling transport of the inspection object in the transport unit;
The conveyance control unit stops conveyance of the inspection object in the conveyance unit when the abnormality detection unit detects that there is an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit. Item 4. The optical inspection device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. A housing that covers the inspection area;
The optical inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the light conversion unit is fixed to the housing.   The optical inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the casing is provided so as to be separated from the transport unit. A filter that attenuates light in a wavelength band other than the fluorescent wavelength band;
The fluorescence detection unit detects fluorescence incident on the light capturing unit of the fluorescence detection unit,
The said filter is an optical inspection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6 provided in the position facing the said optical taking-in part.   The optical inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an antireflection process for the excitation light is performed on a mounting surface on which the inspection object is mounted in the transport unit. Light in which an inspection object conveyed to the inspection area is irradiated with excitation light to detect foreign matter adhering to the inspection object, and a light conversion unit that generates fluorescence by the excitation light is installed in the inspection area An abnormality detection method in an inspection apparatus,
An irradiation step of inputting a control signal for irradiating the inspection region with the excitation light for generating fluorescence in the foreign matter and the light conversion unit;
In the inspection region, a fluorescence detection step in which a fluorescence detection unit detects the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit by the excitation light irradiated by the excitation light irradiation unit;
An abnormality detection step in which an abnormality detection unit detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in at least one of the excitation light irradiation unit and the fluorescence detection unit based on the fluorescence generated by the light conversion unit detected in the fluorescence detection step. When,
Anomaly detection method including

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