JP2021001741A - Inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To lay out a display unit in a position that is easy for an operator to see, without sacrificing ease of access to the inside of an opening.SOLUTION: A tablet printing device (inspection device) 1 that inspects granular tablets ( objects to be inspected) while transporting them with a transport device includes an enclosure 100, an opening 105, and a display device 70. The enclosure 100 houses the transport device. The aperture 105 is located on the side of the enclosure 100. The display device 70 is located on the outer side of the side face and displays at least one of the following: information about the operation of the tablet printing device 1 and information about the inspection results. The display device 70 can be rotated between a use position and a non-use position around a rotation axis perpendicular to the side. When the display unit 70 is in the use position, the aperture 105 and the display unit 70 overlap in the side view. When the display unit 70 is in the non-use position, the aperture 105 and the display unit 70 do not overlap in the side view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection device.

Conventionally, an inspection device for inspecting an object to be inspected while being conveyed by the transfer device is known. Such an inspection device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

The tablet printing device (inspection device) described in Patent Document 1 prints on tablets during transportation by the first and second conveyors (conveyor) and the first and second conveyors that convey the tablets. The first and second inkjet printer units are arranged below the first and second conveyors, and the printing process is completed and the tablets are printed while the tablets delivered from the second conveyor are being conveyed. A drying conveyor for drying the surface and a dispersion bar for dispersing a large number of tablets delivered from the second transfer conveyor in the width direction on the transfer surface of the drying conveyor are provided. In the tablet printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the tablet after the printing process is imaged by an inspection line sensor camera, and defective products such as printing defects are discarded based on the inspection result.

By the way, in the tablet printing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to remove each part in order to clean each part, for example, when switching the type of tablet to be printed. Therefore, a large opening is provided on the side surface of the housing for accommodating each part of the tablet printing apparatus so that each part can be taken out. The opening is generally provided with a door that can be opened and closed, and the operator can open this door to perform maintenance such as cleaning when switching tablets or the like.

Further, the tablet printing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 may be provided with a display device for displaying information on the operating status of the apparatus, information on the printing result (inspection result), and the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-5411

However, the above-mentioned opening needs to be large enough to allow each part to be taken out. Further, the above-mentioned opening is generally arranged at a position where it is easy to take out each part. Therefore, if the display device is arranged at a position on the side surface of the housing that does not overlap with the opening, a sufficient space for arranging the display device may not be secured. Further, even if a space for arranging the display device can be secured on the side surface of the housing, there is often no choice but to lay it out at a position where it is difficult for the operator to operate.

Therefore, it is conceivable to attach the above display device to the outside of the door that opens and closes the opening. However, in that case, there arises a problem that the weight of the door increases and a problem that the cables of the display device become difficult to handle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to lay out the display device in a position that is easy for the operator to see without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of the opening.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

From the first aspect of the present application, there is provided an inspection device for inspecting a granular inspection object while being conveyed by the transfer device. This inspection device includes a housing, an opening, and a display device. The housing accommodates the transport device. The opening is located on the side surface of the housing. The display device is located outside the side surface and displays at least one of information regarding the operation of the inspection device and information regarding the inspection result. The display device can rotate between a used position and a non-used position about a rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface. When the display device is in the used position, the opening and the display device overlap in a side view. When the display device is in the unused position, the opening and the display device do not overlap in a side view.

In the second aspect of the present application, the inspection device according to the first aspect further includes a door capable of opening and closing the opening. When the display device is in the unused position, the display device does not interfere with the opening / closing locus of the door.

From the third aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the second aspect, it is possible to rotate the display device from the unused position to the used position with the door open.

From the fourth aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to any one of the first to third viewpoints, the display device has a rectangular shape in a side view. When the display device is in the used position, the longitudinal direction of the display device faces the vertical direction. When the display device is in the unused position, the longitudinal direction of the display device faces the horizontal direction.

From the fifth aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the fourth aspect, the display device has a rectangular shape in a side view. The rotating shaft is located at one end of the display device in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the display device in the longitudinal direction is provided with a handle that can be gripped by the operator.

In the sixth aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the fifth aspect, the handle has a shape along the rectangular contour of the display device.

In the seventh aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the rotation shaft is located above the opening in the vertical direction.

From the eighth aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the seventh aspect, a lamp is provided at the one end portion of the display device in the longitudinal direction.

From the ninth aspect of the present application, in the inspection device according to the eighth aspect, the display device is located at a position sandwiched between the handle and the lamp in the longitudinal direction, and information on the operation of the inspection device and the inspection result. It has a display that displays at least one of the information about.

From the tenth aspect of the present application, in the inspection apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the display has a touch panel on the surface.

From the eleventh viewpoint of the present application, in the inspection device according to any one of the first to tenth viewpoints, when the display device rotates between the used position and the non-used position. It is equipped with a gas spring that provides the auxiliary force of.

According to the first to eleventh viewpoints of the present application, the display device can be laid out in a position that is easy for the operator to see without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of the opening.

In particular, according to the first aspect of the present application, when the display device is not used, the access to the transfer device can be facilitated by setting the position of the display device to the unused position.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present application, when the display device is not used, the door can be easily opened and closed by setting the position of the display device to the unused position.

Here, for example, in order to check the operation of the transport device, there is a case where it is desired to check the display of the display device with the door open. In this regard, according to the third aspect of the present application, the display device can be arranged at a use position that is easy for the operator to see while opening the door, and the operability is improved.

In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present application, the operator can rotate the display device between the used position and the non-used position by grasping the handle and applying an external force.

In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the present application, a handle having a simple shape and a shape that is easy for the operator to grasp is realized.

In particular, according to the eighth aspect of the present application, the lamp is always located above the opening in the vertical direction, and when it is turned on, it stands out even from a distance. Therefore, for example, by turning on the lamp when the inspection result is abnormal, the operator can easily notice the abnormality.

In particular, according to the ninth aspect of the present application, the handles, lamps, and displays can be reasonably arranged.

In particular, according to the eleventh aspect of the present application, only when the operator applies a small external force to the display device, an auxiliary force acts on the display device in addition to the external force, and the display device can be easily rotated.

It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the tablet printing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the vicinity of a transport drum of a tablet printing apparatus. It is a figure which showed the structure in the vicinity of the 2nd conveyor of a tablet printing apparatus. It is a bottom view of the head of a tablet printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which showed the connection between each part in a tablet printing apparatus and a control part. It is a figure which showed the structure of the side surface on one side in the width direction of a tablet printing apparatus, and shows the state when the display apparatus is in an unused position. It is a figure which showed the structure of the side surface on one side in the transport direction of a tablet printing apparatus, and shows the state when the display apparatus is in an unused position. It is a figure which showed the structure of the side surface on one side in the width direction of a tablet printing apparatus, and shows the state when the display apparatus is in a use position. It is a figure which showed the structure of the side surface on one side in the transport direction of a tablet printing apparatus, and shows the state when the display apparatus is in a use position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which a plurality of tablets are transported is referred to as a "transport direction", and the direction perpendicular to and horizontal to the transport direction is referred to as a "width direction".

<1. Overall configuration of tablet printing device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tablet printing device 1 which is an embodiment of an inspection device according to the present invention. The tablet printing apparatus 1 conveys a plurality of tablets 9 which are one embodiment of the granular inspection object according to the present invention, and on the surface of each tablet 9, a product name, a product code, a company name, a logo mark, etc. It is a device that prints the image of.

The tablet printing device 1 of the present embodiment includes a supply mechanism 20, a transport mechanism 30, a printing unit 40, an inspection mechanism 50, a collection unit 60, a display device 70 (not shown in FIG. 1), and a control unit 10.

The supply mechanism 20 includes a hopper 21, a straight-ahead feeder 22, a rotary feeder 23, and an inclined feeder 24. The supply mechanism 20 is a mechanism for delivering the tablets 9 put into the apparatus to the transport mechanism 30.

The hopper 21 is a charging unit for collectively receiving a large number of tablets 9 into the apparatus. The hopper 21 is arranged at the top of the housing 100 of the tablet printing apparatus 1. The hopper 21 has an opening 211 located on the upper surface of the housing 100 and a funnel-shaped inclined surface 212 that gradually converges downward. The plurality of tablets 9 charged into the opening 211 flow into the straight feeder 22 along the inclined surface 212.

The straight-ahead feeder 22, the rotary feeder 23, and the inclined feeder 24 are mechanisms for transporting a plurality of tablets 9 charged into the hopper 21 to the transport mechanism 30. The straight feeder 22 has a flat plate-shaped vibrating trough 221. The plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the hopper 21 to the vibration trough 221 are conveyed to the rotation feeder 23 side by the vibration of the vibration trough 221.

The rotary feeder 23 has a disk-shaped turntable 231. The plurality of tablets 9 that have fallen from the vibration trough 221 onto the upper surface of the turntable 231 gather near the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 231 due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the turntable 231.

The inclined feeder 24 has a plate-shaped slope 241 extending diagonally downward from the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 231 to the transport drum 31 described later of the transport mechanism 30. FIG. 2 is a perspective view including a part of the inclined feeder 24, a part of the transfer drum 31 and a part of the first transfer conveyor 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (8 in the example of FIG. 2) transfer grooves 242 are provided on the upper surface of the slope 241. The plurality of tablets 9 transported to the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 231 are each supplied to any one of the plurality of transport grooves 242, and flow down diagonally downward along the transport grooves 242. In this way, the plurality of tablets 9 are arranged in a plurality of transport rows by being dispersedly supplied to the plurality of transport grooves 242. Then, a plurality of tablets 9 in each transport row are supplied to the transport drum 31 in order from the first one.

The transfer mechanism 30 includes a transfer drum 31, a first transfer conveyor 32, a second transfer conveyor 33, and a carry-out conveyor 34 as transfer devices.

The transfer drum 31 is a mechanism for transferring a plurality of tablets 9 from the inclined feeder 24 to the first transfer conveyor 32. The transport drum 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The transport drum 31 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2 about a rotation axis extending in the width direction by a power obtained from a motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of suction portions 310 arranged at substantially equal intervals in the transport direction and the width direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 31. The plurality of suction portions 310 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 31 at the width direction positions corresponding to each of the transport grooves 242 of the inclined feeder 24.

Each of the suction portions 310 is a through hole provided on the surface of the transport drum 31. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view showing the configurations of the transfer drum 31, a part of the first transfer conveyor 32, and the second transfer conveyor 33. As shown in FIG. 3, a suction mechanism 311 is provided inside the transport drum 31. When the suction mechanism 311 is operated, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is generated in each of the plurality of suction portions 310. The suction unit 310 sucks and holds the tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24 one by one by the negative pressure.

Further, a release blow mechanism 312 is provided inside the transport drum 31. The release blow mechanism 312 blows a locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transfer drum 31 toward the first transfer conveyor 32 side. The release blow mechanism 312 applies a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the suction unit 310 arranged at a position facing the first conveyor 32 to release the adsorption of the tablet 9 on the suction unit 310.

As a result, in the suction unit 310 arranged at a position not facing the first conveyor 32, the tablet 9 is sucked only in the suction unit 310 facing the first conveyor 32 while maintaining the suction state of the tablet 9. Is released. In this way, the transfer drum 31 rotates while sucking and holding the plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24, and delivers the tablets 9 to the first transfer conveyor 32.

Here, the surface that is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 310 while the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the transport drum 31 is referred to as a first surface. On the other hand, the surface opposite to the first surface is referred to as the second surface. That is, the surface exposed to the outside while the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the transport drum 31 is referred to as a second surface. When the tablet 9 is delivered from the transport drum 31 to the first conveyor 32, the second surface of the tablet 9 faces the first conveyor 32. Therefore, the second surface of the tablet 9 is adsorbed on the first conveyor 32. Therefore, the first surface of the tablet 9 is exposed to the outside while being sucked and held by the first conveyor 32. In this way, the front and back sides of the tablet 9 are reversed between the time when the tablet 9 is sucked and held by the transport drum 31 and the time when the tablet 9 is sucked and held by the first conveyor 32.

The first conveyor 32 has a pair of pulleys 321 and a conveyor belt 322, and a suction mechanism 323. The transport belt 322 is looped between the pair of pulleys 321. A part of the transport belt 322 is arranged so as to be close to and face the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 31. One of the pair of pulleys 321 rotates with power obtained from a motor (not shown). As a result, the transport belt 322 rotates in the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2. At this time, the other of the pair of pulleys 321 is driven to rotate with the rotation of the transport belt 322.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport belt 322 is provided with a plurality of suction portions 320. The plurality of suction portions 320 are through holes provided on the surface of the transport belt 322, similarly to the suction portions 310 of the transport drum 31. The plurality of suction portions 320 are arranged in the transport direction at positions in the width direction corresponding to each of the plurality of transport rows. The distance between the plurality of suction portions 320 in the transport belt 322 in the transport direction and the width direction is equal to the distance between the plurality of suction portions 310 in the transport drum 31 in the transport direction and the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first conveyor 32 has a suction mechanism 323. The suction mechanism 323 creates a negative pressure in the space inside the pulley 321 and the transport belt 322. When the suction mechanism 323 is operated, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is generated in each of the plurality of suction portions 320. The suction unit 320 sucks and holds the tablets 9 delivered from the transport drum 31 one by one by the negative pressure. As a result, the first transfer conveyor 32 conveys the plurality of tablets 9 in a state of being aligned in the transfer direction and the width direction.

Further, the first conveyor 32 is provided with a release blow mechanism 324 shown in FIG. The release blow mechanism 324 blows a locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transfer belt 322 toward the second transfer conveyor 33 side. The release blow mechanism 324 applies a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the suction unit 320 arranged at a position facing the second conveyor 33 to release the adsorption of the tablet 9 on the suction unit 320. As a result, the adsorption of the tablet 9 on the suction unit 320 is released, and the tablet 9 is delivered from the first conveyor 32 to the second conveyor 33.

Here, while the tablet 9 is sucked and held on the first conveyor 32, the second surface of the tablet 9 is sucked by the suction portion 320, and the first surface of the tablet 9 is exposed to the outside. When the tablet 9 is delivered from the first conveyor 32 to the second conveyor 33, the first surface of the tablet 9 faces the second conveyor 33. Therefore, the first surface of the tablet 9 is adsorbed on the second conveyor 33. Therefore, the second surface of the tablet 9 is exposed to the outside while being sucked and held by the second conveyor 33. In this way, the front and back sides of the tablet 9 are reversed between the time when the tablet 9 is sucked and held by the first conveyor 32 and the time when the tablet 9 is sucked and held by the second conveyor 33.

The second conveyor 33 has a pair of pulleys 331, a conveyor belt 332 having a plurality of suction portions 330, and a suction mechanism 333. Since the pair of pulleys 331, the conveyor belt 332 and the suction mechanism 333 of the second conveyor 33 have the same configurations as the pair of pulleys 321, the conveyor belt 322 and the suction mechanism 323 of the first conveyor 32, the description thereof will be omitted. ..

As shown in FIG. 3, the second conveyor 33 is provided with a discharge blow mechanism 334. Below the discharge blow mechanism 334, a chute 341 that connects the second conveyor 33 and the unloading conveyor 34 is arranged. The discharge blow mechanism 334 blows a locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transport belt 332 toward the chute 341 side. The discharge blow mechanism 334 exerts a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure on all of the suction portions 330 arranged at predetermined positions facing the chute 341 to release the adsorption of the tablet 9 on the suction portion 330. .. As a result, the adsorption of the tablet 9 on the adsorption unit 330 is released, and the tablet 9 is delivered from the second transfer conveyor 33 to the carry-out conveyor 34.

The carry-out conveyor 34 is a mechanism for carrying out a plurality of printed tablets 9 to the outside of the housing 100 of the tablet printing device 1. The upstream end of the unloading conveyor 34 is located below the chute 341. The downstream end of the carry-out conveyor 34 is located outside the housing 100. The downstream end of the unloading conveyor 34 is connected, for example, to a packaging device for packaging the printed tablets 9. For the carry-out conveyor 34, for example, a belt transport mechanism is used. The plurality of tablets 9 delivered from the second conveyor 33 to the carry-out conveyor 34 are carried out of the housing 100 by the carry-out conveyor 34.

The printing unit 40 has a first printing unit 41 and a second printing unit 42.

The first printing unit 41 is a processing unit for printing an image on the first surface of the tablet 9. The first printing unit 41 is arranged at a position facing the outer surface of the conveyor belt 322 of the first conveyor 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the first printing unit 41 is an inkjet head unit having four heads 411. Each of the four heads 411 ejects ink droplets toward the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveyor 32. The four heads 411 eject ink droplets of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). By superimposing the monochromatic images formed by each of these colors, a multicolor image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9. As the ink discharged from each head 411, edible ink produced from raw materials approved by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the Food Sanitation Law, etc. is used.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one head 411. In FIG. 4, the transport belt 322 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the transport belt 322 are shown by an alternate long and short dash line. As shown enlarged in FIG. 4, a plurality of nozzles 410 capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the lower surface of the head 411. In the present embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 410 are two-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the head 411 in the transport direction and the width direction. The nozzles 410 are arranged so as to be displaced in the width direction. By arranging the plurality of nozzles 410 two-dimensionally in this way, the positions of the nozzles 410 in the width direction can be brought close to each other. However, the plurality of nozzles 410 may be arranged in a row along the width direction.

As a method for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 410, for example, a so-called piezo method is used in which the ink in the nozzle 410 is pressurized and ejected by applying a voltage to the piezo element, which is a piezoelectric element, to deform the ink droplets. The head 411 of the present embodiment can switch the size of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 410 depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the piezo element. Specifically, any ink droplet can be ejected from four types of ink droplets from "size 1" which is the finest ink droplet to "size 4" which is the largest ink droplet. However, the size of the ink droplets that can be ejected may be 2 to 3 types or 5 or more types. Further, the ink droplet ejection method may be a so-called thermal system in which the heater is energized and the ink in the nozzle 410 is heated and expanded to eject the ink droplets.

The second printing unit 42 is a processing unit for printing an image on the second surface of the tablet 9. The second printing unit 42 is arranged at a position facing the outer surface of the conveyor belt 332 of the second conveyor 33. The second printing unit 42 is an inkjet head unit having four heads 421. Since the configuration of the second printing unit 42 is the same as that of the first printing unit 41, the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection mechanism 50 includes a first visual inspection camera 51, a second visual inspection camera 52, a first print inspection camera 53, a third visual inspection camera 54, and a second print inspection camera 55. And have.

The first visual inspection camera 51 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 transported by the transport drum 31.

The second visual inspection camera 52 is a camera that photographs the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveyor 32 on the upstream side of the first printing unit 41. The first print inspection camera 53 is a camera that photographs the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveyor 32 on the downstream side of the first printing unit 41.

The third visual inspection camera 54 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the second conveyor 33 on the upstream side of the second printing unit 42. The second print inspection camera 55 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the second conveyor 33 on the downstream side of the second printing unit 42.

The collection unit 60 includes a print defective product collection unit 61, an appearance defective product collection unit 62, a discharge sensor 63, and a rear collection unit 64.

The defective print product collection unit 61 includes a blow mechanism 611 for collecting defective print products and a defective print product collection box 612. The blow mechanism 611 for collecting defective prints is arranged on the downstream side of the second print inspection camera 55. Below the blow mechanism 611 for collecting defective prints, a defective print collection box 612 is arranged. The blow mechanism 611 for collecting defective prints blows locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transport belt 332 toward the defective print recovery box 612. The blow mechanism 611 for collecting defective prints has atmospheric pressure only on a part of the suction portions 330 holding the target tablet determined by the control unit 10 to be defective prints based on the captured images of the print inspection cameras 53 and 55. A higher positive pressure is applied to release the adsorption of the target tablet held in the adsorption unit 330. As a result, the target tablet is collected in the defective print collection box 612.

The defective appearance product collection unit 62 includes a blow mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance products and a defective product collection box 622. The blow mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance products is arranged on the downstream side of the defective printing product collection unit 61. A defective appearance collection box 622 is arranged below the blow mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance products. The blow mechanism 621 for collecting defective products blows locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transport belt 332 toward the defective product collection box 622. The blow mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance products is provided with respect to only a part of the suction parts 330 holding the target tablet determined by the control unit 10 to be a defective appearance product based on the captured images of the appearance inspection cameras 51, 52, 54. A positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is applied to release the adsorption of the target tablet held in the adsorption unit 330. As a result, the target tablet is collected in the defective product collection box 622.

The discharge sensor 63 is arranged on the downstream side of the defective print collection unit 61 and the defective appearance collection unit 62. The emission sensor 63 is a sensor that irradiates the suction unit 330 with a laser and detects the reflected light to detect the distance to the object. The discharge sensor 63 can detect whether or not the tablet 9 is held in each suction portion 330 by detecting the reflection distance.

The post-recovery unit 64 has a post-recovery blow mechanism 641 and a post-recovery box 642. The post-recovery blow mechanism 641 is arranged on the downstream side of the discharge sensor 63. A post-recovery box 642 is arranged below the post-recovery blow mechanism 641. The post-recovery blow mechanism 641 blows a locally pressurized gas from the inside of the transport belt 332 toward the post-recovery box 642. The post-recovery blow mechanism exerts a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure only on the predetermined suction unit 330 that holds the residual tablet designated by the control unit 10 based on the detection result of the discharge sensor 63. The adsorption of the tablet 9 held by the adsorption unit 330 is released. As a result, the tablet 9 is collected in the post-collection box 642.

The display device 70 (not shown in FIG. 1) contains information on the operation of the tablet printing device 1, as well as a first visual inspection camera 51, a second visual inspection camera 52, a first print inspection camera 53, and a third visual inspection camera 54. , And a device that visually displays information on the inspection result by the second print inspection camera 55 to the operator. The display device 70 is located on one side surface (front surface in the present embodiment) in the width direction of the housing 100 that comprehensively accommodates each part of the tablet printing device 1. The display device 70 will be described in detail later.

The control unit 10 is a means for controlling the operation of each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 10 and each unit in the tablet printing device 1. As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 is composed of a computer having an arithmetic processing unit 101 such as a CPU, a memory 102 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 103 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program P for executing the printing process is installed in the storage unit 103.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 includes a straight-moving feeder 22, a rotary feeder 23, a conveyor drum 31 (including a motor, a suction mechanism 311 and a release blow mechanism 312), and a first conveyor 32 (motor, suction mechanism 323). , Includes release blow mechanism 324), 2nd conveyor 33 (including motor, suction mechanism 333, discharge blow mechanism 334), carry-out conveyor 34, 4 heads 411 of 1st printing unit 41, 2nd printing unit 42 four heads 421, first visual inspection camera 51, second visual inspection camera 52, first print inspection camera 53, third visual inspection camera 54, second print inspection camera 55, blow mechanism for collecting defective print products 611 , The blow mechanism for collecting defective products 621, the discharge sensor 63, the blow mechanism for rear recovery 641, and the display control unit (not shown) of the display device 70 are connected to each other so as to be communicable.

The control unit 10 temporarily reads the computer program P and data stored in the storage unit 103 into the memory 102, and the arithmetic processing unit 101 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program P to perform arithmetic processing on each of the above units. Control the operation. As a result, the printing process and the inspection process for the plurality of tablets 9 proceed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tablet printing apparatus 1 as viewed from one side in the width direction. In the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an opening 105 is provided on one side surface of the housing 100 in the width direction. The opening 105 is used, for example, to remove each part for cleaning, replacement, or the like when switching the type of tablet to be printed in the tablet printing device 1. Specifically, each part of the tablet printing apparatus 1 is taken out of the apparatus through the opening 105. Therefore, the opening 105 is provided over a wide area on the side surface of the housing 100 and at a position easily accessible by the operator.

The opening 105 is provided with a door 106 that is opened and closed by an operator. The door 106 of this embodiment is a double door type. That is, the door 106 of the present embodiment has a pair of plate-shaped door members 106a that can rotate about an axis extending in the vertical direction. Each door member 106a is formed of a transparent acrylic plate or glass. As a result, the operator can easily check the inside of the device from the outside of the door 106.

Here, the display device 70 is used by the operator without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of the device through the opening 105 and without sacrificing the visibility inside the device from the outside of the door 106. There was a need to lay out in a position that was easy to see and operate. In this respect, the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment has a unique configuration, so that the display device 70 can be laid out so as to meet the above needs.

<2. Detailed configuration of display device>
Hereinafter, the configuration peculiar to the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 and 8 are views of the tablet printing apparatus 1 viewed from one side in the width direction. 7 and 9 are views of the tablet printing apparatus 1 viewed from one side in the transport direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the display device 70 includes a display control unit (not shown), a rotation mechanism (not shown), a handle 71, a display 72, a lamp 73, and a hardware key 74. To be equipped.

The display device 70 has a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the side. The display device 70 has a constant thickness in the width direction.

The display control unit of the display device 70 generates display data for display on the display 72, which will be described later, by communicating with the control unit 10. The display control unit appropriately switches the display contents of the display 72, which will be described later, according to the signal received from the control unit 10.

The rotating mechanism of the display device 70 is a mechanism that rotatably supports the display device 70 about one end in the longitudinal direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 is located above the opening 105 in the vertical direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 extends perpendicularly to one side surface of the housing 100 in the width direction. That is, the rotation axis of the display device 70 extends in the width direction. The rotating mechanism of the display device 70 includes a gas spring (not shown).

The handle 71 is provided at the other end of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. The handle 71 has a shape that follows the rectangular contour of the display device 70. That is, the handle 71 has a rectangular shape with a hollow inside.

The display 72 has a touch panel on its surface. The operator can confirm by referring to the information displayed on the display 72. Further, the operator operates the touch panel of the display 72, the hardware key 74 arranged in the vicinity of the display 72, or the like, and causes the control unit 10 of the tablet printing device 1 to control a control signal for controlling the tablet printing device 1. Can be sent. The control signal is, for example, an emergency stop signal or a command signal for switching various settings.

The lamp 73 is provided at one end of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. The lamp 73 is, for example, an LED lamp. The lamp 73 of the present embodiment can change the color of the emitted light. The lamp 73 emits light based on a control signal from the control unit 10. Specifically, when the proportion of defective products exceeds a predetermined value, the lamp 73 emits light in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the normal color.

The display device 70 having the above configuration rotates between the unused position and the used position when an external force is applied to the handle 71 by the operator holding the handle 71. 6 and 7 show a state when the display device 70 is in the unused position. 8 and 9 show a state when the display device 70 is in the use position.

Specifically, when an external force is applied to the handle 71 of the display device 70 in the used position, the display device 70 is rotated to the non-used position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 by the external force and the auxiliary force by the gas spring. Move. Specifically, the display device 70 rotates clockwise by 90 ° from the used position when viewed from one side in the width direction. That is, when a small external force is applied to the display device 70 at the used position, the auxiliary force by the gas spring works after that, so that the display device 70 is naturally flipped up to the unused position. When in the unused position, the longitudinal direction of the display device 70 extends horizontally. In this state, the opening 105 and the display device 70 do not overlap in the side view. Further, in this state, even if the operator opens and closes the door 106, the display device 70 does not interfere with the opening / closing locus of the door 106.

Next, when an external force is applied to the handle 71 of the display device 70 in the unused position with the door 106 closed, the display device 70 is subjected to FIGS. 8 and 9 by the external force and the auxiliary force by the gas spring. Rotate to the use position shown in. Specifically, the display device 70 rotates counterclockwise by 90 ° from the unused position when viewed from one side in the width direction. That is, when a small external force is applied to the display device 70 in the unused position, the auxiliary force by the gas spring acts after that, so that the display device 70 is naturally bounced down to the used position. When in the working position, the longitudinal direction of the display device 70 extends in the vertical direction. In this state, the opening 105 and the display device 70 overlap in the side view. As a result, the height of the display 72 is lowered to a height close to the line of sight of the operator.

Even when the door 106 is open, the display device 70 can be rotated from the unused position to the used position. In this way, the operator can check the display of the display 72 of the display device 70 while checking the operation of the conveyors 32, 33, etc. up close with the door 106 open.

<3. Summary>
As shown above, the tablet printing device (inspection device) 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 100, an opening 105, and a display device 70. The display device 70 is located at a position avoiding the opening 105 on the side surface of the housing 100, and can rotate between the used position and the non-used position about the rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface. .. When the display device 70 is in the used position, the opening 105 and the display device 70 overlap in a side view. When the display device 70 is in the unused position, the opening 105 and the display device 70 do not overlap in the side view. As a result, when the display device 70 is not used, the position of the display device 70 is set to the unused position, so that the access from the opening 105 to the conveyors 32, 33, etc. can be facilitated. Further, when the display device 70 is in the used position, the display device 70 can be brought closer to the operator's field of view, while when the display device 70 is in the non-use position, the display device 70 can be moved away from the operator's field of view. ..

Further, the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a door 106. When the display device 70 is in the unused position, the display device 70 does not interfere with the opening / closing locus of the door 106. As a result, when the display device 70 is not used, the door 106 can be easily opened and closed by setting the position of the display device 70 to the unused position. That is, the display device 70 does not get in the way when the door 106 is opened for maintenance or the like.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 can be rotated from the unused position to the used position with the door 106 open. Here, for example, in order to confirm the operation of the conveyors 32, 33, etc., it may be desired to confirm the display of the display device 70 with the door 106 open. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 can be arranged at a use position that is easy for the operator to see while opening the door 106, and the operability is improved.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is located at one end of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. A handle 71 that can be gripped by an operator is provided at the other end of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the operator can rotate the display device 70 between the used position and the non-used position by grasping the handle 71 and applying an external force.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the handle 71 has a shape along the rectangular contour of the display device 70. As a result, the handle 71 having a simple shape and a shape that is easy for the operator to grasp is realized.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is located above the opening 105 in the vertical direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 is located on one side of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. Further, a lamp 73 is provided at one end of the display device 70 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the lamp 73 is always located above the opening 105 in the vertical direction, and when it is turned on, it stands out even from a distance. Therefore, for example, by turning on the lamp 73 when the inspection result is abnormal, the operator can easily notice the abnormality.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 includes a display 72 at a position sandwiched between the handle 71 and the lamp 73 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the handle 71, the lamp 73, and the display 72 can be reasonably arranged.

Further, in the tablet printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 includes a gas spring that applies an auxiliary force when rotating between the used position and the non-used position. As a result, only when the perator applies a small external force to the display device 70, an auxiliary force acts on the display device 70 in addition to the external force, and the display device 70 easily rotates.

<4. About modification>
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is possible.

In the above embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is located above the opening 105 in the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the above, the rotation axis of the display device may be located below the opening in the vertical direction.

In the above embodiment, the lamp 73 can change the color of the emitted light, but the lamp 73 is not limited to this. Instead of the above, the lamp may be capable of changing the blinking interval according to the control signal from the control unit.

In the above embodiment, the handle 71 has a shape that follows the rectangular contour of the display device 70, but is not necessarily limited to this. Instead of the above, the handle may be a columnar shape extending in the width direction from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the display device.

The tablet printing device 1 described above prints on both sides of the tablet 9 by the first printing unit 41 and the second printing unit 42. However, the inspection device may be a device that prints only on one side of the inspection object.

The "inspection object" in the present invention may be a thin disk-shaped tablet having a front surface and a back surface as shown in the above embodiment, or may be a capsule tablet, an oval tablet, or the like. Further, the "inspection object" is not limited to tablets as pharmaceuticals, but may be tablets as health foods such as supplements and tablet confectionery such as ramune. Furthermore, the "inspection object" in the present invention is applicable not only to tablets but also to various known granular products.

Further, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined as long as there is no contradiction.

1 Tablet printing device (inspection device)
9 Tablets 10 Control unit 20 Supply mechanism 30 Transport mechanism 31 Transport drum (convey device)
32 First conveyor (conveyor)
33 Second conveyor (conveyor)
34 Carry-out conveyor 40 Printing section 41 1st printing section 42 2nd printing section 50 Inspection mechanism 51 1st visual inspection camera 52 2nd visual inspection camera 53 1st print inspection camera 54 3rd visual inspection camera 55 2nd print inspection camera 60 Collection unit 61 Printing defective product collection unit 62 Appearance defective product collection unit 70 Display device 71 Handle 72 Display 73 Lamp 100 Housing 105 Opening 107 Door 310 Suction unit 330 Suction unit 611 Printing defective product recovery blow mechanism 612 Printing defective product collection box 613 Guide unit 614 Opening / closing member 621 Blow mechanism for collecting defective products 622 Collection box for defective products

Claims (11)

It is an inspection device that inspects a granular inspection object while transporting it with a transport device.
A housing for accommodating the transport device and
An opening located on the side surface of the housing and
A display device located outside the side surface and displaying at least one of information on the operation of the inspection device and information on the inspection result.
With
The display device can rotate between a used position and a non-used position about a rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface.
When the display device is in the use position, the opening and the display device overlap in a side view.
An inspection device in which the opening and the display device do not overlap in a side view when the display device is in the unused position. The inspection device according to claim 1.
Further equipped with a door that can open and close the opening,
An inspection device that does not interfere with the opening / closing locus of the door when the display device is in the unused position. The inspection device according to claim 2.
An inspection device capable of rotating the display device from the unused position to the used position with the door open. The inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The display device has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side, and has a rectangular shape.
When the display device is in the used position, the longitudinal direction of the display device faces the vertical direction.
An inspection device in which the longitudinal direction of the display device faces the horizontal direction when the display device is in the unused position. The inspection device according to claim 4.
The rotating shaft is located at one end of the display device in the longitudinal direction.
An inspection device provided with a handle that can be gripped by an operator at the other end of the display device in the longitudinal direction. The inspection device according to claim 5.
The handle is an inspection device having a shape along the rectangular contour of the display device. The inspection device according to claim 5 or 6.
An inspection device in which the rotation shaft is located above the opening in the vertical direction. The inspection device according to claim 7.
An inspection device provided with a lamp at the one end of the display device in the longitudinal direction. The inspection device according to claim 8.
The display device is an inspection device including a display that displays at least one of information on the operation of the inspection device and information on the inspection result at a position sandwiched between the handle and the lamp in the longitudinal direction. The inspection device according to claim 9, wherein the display has a touch panel on the surface. The inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The display device is an inspection device including a gas spring that applies an auxiliary force when rotating between the used position and the non-used position.

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