JP3420895B2 - Liquid level detector in can - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid level detecting device in a can,
In particular, it relates to improvement of a liquid level detecting device in a can using X-rays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a container content inspection device for various cans, an in-can liquid level detection device using X-rays is widely used because of its quick response. That is, in the conventional in-can liquid level inspection device, the X-ray irradiating means is arranged on one side of the continuously conveyed cans,
The X-ray photodiode array is arranged vertically on the other side surface, and the X-ray position passing under the liquid level in the can and the X-ray position passing through the head space of the can are detected, and the liquid level level is detected. The suitability is determined (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-2350).
32, see S. Kaikai 59-54820, etc.).

[0003]

However, it has become clear that the conventional in-can liquid level detection device using X-rays has a problem in detection performance. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the liquid level suitability is determined using the X-rays 14 that move in the direction and pass through the liquid level upper limit position and the X-rays 16 that pass through the liquid level lower limit position, the liquid level 18 in the can 10 remains stable. If so, there are few problems.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the liquid surface is inclined or disturbed due to vibration, inclination or slight speed change of the belt conveyor for conveying the can 10, the irradiation position of the X-rays 14 and 16 is detected. Depending on the case, the can may be judged to be excessively contained or may be judged to be too small even though the can has a normal amount.

As a result, the conveyance of the can 10 must be carried out in an extremely stable state, and it is difficult to control the conveyance, and as described above, it is judged to be unsuitable despite having a proper amount of flavor, Alternatively, it is not possible to exclude erroneous detection that the content amount is inappropriate but is judged to be appropriate.

By the way, in recent years, as the consumption of beer has increased, the processing capacity of the filling line for beer cans has been increased, and for example, in the filling line for 350 ml cans, the processing capacity is usually 1500 cans / min. Has, maximum speed is 175
0 cans / minute. However, in order to increase the processing capacity of the line, it is necessary to increase the speed of the belt conveyor that conveys the cans.
At 750 cans / minute, the speed of the belt conveyor is about 1
It will be 30 m / min. When the speed of the belt conveyor is increased, the liquid surface of the can is likely to be tilted or disturbed, and as described above, the problem that erroneous detection cannot be excluded may become significant.

Further, the beer can is in a state of easily foaming immediately after filling, which is not preferable for inspecting the amount of flavor, but in order to speed up the processing capacity of the line, inspecting the beer can immediately after filling. Becomes As a result, if bubbles are generated in the can due to vibration of the belt conveyor, inclination, or slight speed change, the amount of flavor may be unsuitable depending on the irradiation position of the X-rays 14 and 16, but the vicinity of the inner liquid surface may be affected. It may be determined that the amount of flavoring is appropriate due to the foam particles.

Further, in the conventional in-can liquid level detecting device, even if an abnormality occurs in the filler valve for filling the contents, for example, and the variation in the amount of the can of the can occurs, the operator should be informed in detail. Was practically nothing. As a result, it takes time for the operator to confirm the filler valve in which the abnormality has occurred, and it may not be possible to quickly perform the abnormality handling processing.

Further, in the conventional liquid level detecting apparatus for a can, the suitability of the liquid level of the inspected can is determined, but the value of the liquid level is not displayed on the display in real time, for example. As a result, the operator cannot easily confirm the value of the liquid surface level, and cannot immediately know when he / she wants to know whether or not the adequacy of the amount of the content of the inspected can is properly determined.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to use an X-ray having an excellent responsiveness and to accurately detect the amount of the contained liquid in the can. To provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid level detecting device in a can according to the present invention comprises an X-ray irradiating means, an imaging means, an image displaying means, a measuring window setting means, and an image. It is characterized by comprising a processing means and a determination means.

The X-ray irradiating means is arranged on one side of the continuously conveyed cans and irradiates the X-rays in a planar manner near the inner liquid surface. The image pickup unit is arranged to face the X-ray irradiation unit and picks up an image of X-rays transmitted through the can. The image display means displays a grayscale image corresponding to the X-ray transmission amount from the image pickup means. The measurement window setting means sets a measurement window between the headspace portion and the liquid surface lower portion of the grayscale image displayed on the image display means.

The image processing means performs image measurement processing on the grayscale image in the measurement window set by the measurement window setting means, and determines the image density and the liquid level of the upper and lower ends of the measurement window for each scanning line. To detect.

The determination means determines that the image density and the liquid level at the upper end and the lower end of the measurement window of each scanning line obtained by the image processing means are

[Equation 1] When the conditional expression is satisfied, the inspected can is judged as a full can,

[Equation 2]

[Equation 3]

When at least one conditional expression among the following conditional expressions is satisfied, the inspected can is judged as an empty can.

Here, a full can is an inspected can whose liquid level line is above the upper end of the measurement window when viewed from the measurement window, and an empty can is the liquid when viewed from the measurement window. It is the inspected can whose surface line is below the lower edge of the measurement window.

It is to be noted that the image processing means is provided with a valve number detecting means provided before the X-ray irradiating means and corresponding to a valve number in which the inspected can is filled with the contents, and the image processing means is a grayscale image from the image pickup means. It is preferable to perform image measurement processing for each filling valve number and display each filling valve characteristic on the image display means in real time. Further, it is preferable that the image processing means calculates an average value from the liquid surface level of each scanning line of the grayscale image and causes the image display means to display the average value in real time.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As described above, the in-can liquid level detection device according to the present invention detects liquid level information from a can transmission X-ray image, and further employs each of the above determination formulas to determine the amount of flavor. Therefore, for example, even when the liquid level in the can is disturbed or tilted, the liquid level in the can can be detected extremely accurately. Moreover, the can inspection can be performed at high speed by imaging the can transmitted X-ray with the imaging means.

Since the grayscale image from the image pickup means is image-measured for each filling valve and the filling valve characteristic is displayed on the image display means in real time, each filling valve characteristic can be easily monitored. For example, even if some abnormality occurs in the filling valve, it is possible to quickly deal with the abnormality. Further, by calculating the average value from the liquid level of each scanning line of the grayscale image and displaying it in real time on the image display means, the operator can easily understand the state of the liquid level in the can. Become.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid level detecting device in a can according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The in-can liquid level detecting device 100 shown in FIG.
The X-ray irradiation means 120, the CCD camera 122, the image processing means 124, and the determination means 126 are provided, and the belt conveyor 1 is provided between the X-ray irradiation means 120 and the CCD camera 122.
A can 110 conveyed by a device 28 in a direction orthogonal to the drawing.
Is located. The can 110 and the CCD camera 122
An X-ray visualization panel 130 is arranged between them, and an X-ray image 132 is obtained by photographing the X-ray visualization panel 130 from the back surface with the CCD camera 122.

That is, the X-ray irradiating means 120 is used for the can 11
X-rays are emitted over almost the upper half of 0. As a result, the CCD camera 122 captures the X-ray transmission image 132 covering almost the upper half of the can 110. Then, the can transmission X-ray image 132 of the inspected can taken by the CCD camera 122 is subjected to image measurement processing by the image processing means 124, and the determination means 126 determines whether the amount of flavor is appropriate or not.

The image processing means 124 and the judging means 126
Will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the image processing means 124 includes an A / D converter 134, a frame memory 136, a measurement window setting memory 138,
The synthesizing unit 140, the binarization processing unit 142, the liquid surface coordinate detecting unit 144, the coordinate memory 146, and the calculating unit 148.
And a determination parameter setting memory 150 and a measurement window processing memory 152.

The analog signal from the CCD camera 122 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 134, and the digital signal is stored in the frame memory 136. The measurement window setting memory 138 stores the position and size information of the measurement window. The operator can set the measurement window by setting the position and size of the measurement window in the measurement window setting memory 138 using the keyboard 154 of the computer. Further, by rewriting the position and size information of the measurement window stored in the measurement window setting memory 138, the position and size of the measurement window can be changed.

The synthesizing means 140 superimposes the measurement window data stored in the measurement window setting memory 138 and the can transmission X-ray image stored in the frame memory 136 on the image display means 1 which is a CRT display.
56 to display. The measurement window data stored in the measurement window setting memory 138 and the frame memory 1
The can transmission X-ray image stored in 36 is the binarization processing unit 14.
Entered in 2. The binarization processing unit 142 measures the image densities of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the measurement window for each scanning line by appropriately accessing the measurement window processing memory 152, and further, the image data in the measurement window is measured. Binarization is performed for each scanning line.

Then, the binarization processing unit 142 outputs 2
The binarized image data is input to the liquid surface coordinate detecting unit 144. The liquid surface coordinate detection means 144 extracts liquid surface information from the binarized data obtained by the binarization processing unit 142 by appropriately accessing the in-window processing memory 152, and detects the coordinate value. The liquid surface coordinate values obtained by the liquid surface information detecting means 144 are stored in the coordinate memory 1
Stored at 46.

The calculation means 148 uses the coordinate memory 146.
The liquid level coordinates of each scanning line stored in the table, the image densities of the upper and lower end portions of the measurement window for each scanning line set in the determination parameter setting memory 150, and the determination parameter are substituted into the determination formula to perform arithmetic processing. . And this computing means 1
The detection result calculated by 48 is input to the determination means 126, and the determination means 126 determines whether or not the amount of flavor of the inspected can 110 is appropriate.

The output of the judging means 126 is the excluding means 1.
As for the can designated by 58 and having an unsuitable content, the can is removed from the line by driving an arm (not shown) arranged on the belt conveyor 128.

The in-can liquid level detecting device 100 according to the present invention is constructed as described above, and its operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operator sets the following determination parameters through the keyboard 154 of the computer (s300). Empty / full can determination%: This is a parameter for setting the allowable range of the density difference between the upper end and the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can 110 as a ratio to the density difference between the upper end and the lower end of the normal can measurement window. is there. Empty can judgment value: a parameter for setting an allowable range for the image density at the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can.

That is, if the average value of the image densities at the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can 110 is larger than the average value of the image densities at the lower end of the measurement window of the normal can plus the empty can determination value, Judge the can as an empty can (s3
10). Empty / Full can judgment number: This is a parameter for judging the inspected can as a full can when the number of scanning lines satisfying the conditional expression of full can is larger than the preset number of empty / full can judgment lines ( s306).

If the number of scanning lines satisfying the conditional expression for empty cans is larger than the number of empty / full cans, this is a parameter for judging the inspected cans as empty cans (s308). Judgment value for each bottle: This is a density judgment value for the lower end of the measurement window for judging whether the empty can or the full can is determined for each scanning line. Liquid level variation determination value: This is a parameter for setting a determination value for variation in liquid level.

That is, when the value of the equation 4 is larger than the liquid level variation determination value, the inspected can is determined as an empty can (s3).
12). Upper limit set value of liquid level: This is a parameter for setting the allowable range for liquid level

That is, when the average value of the liquid level of each scanning line of the inspected can is larger than the upper limit set value, it is determined that the inspected can has an excessive amount of flavor (s314). Lower limit set value of liquid level: This is a parameter for setting an allowable range for the liquid level, similar to the upper set limit of the liquid level, which is the liquid level of each scanning line of the inspected can. When the average value is smaller than the lower limit set value, it is determined that the inspected can is too small in content (s316).

Each determination parameter input from the keyboard 154 is input to the calculation means 148 and stored in the determination parameter setting memory 150. Then, when each determination parameter is set, first, an X-ray transmission image 132 of a can with an appropriate amount of content is photographed, and the X-ray transmission image 132 is subjected to image measurement processing by the image processing means 124 (s30).
2). That is, the grayscale image data 132 in the window displayed on the X-ray visualization panel 130 is stored in the frame memory 124 in a 90-degree inverted state as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the grayscale image 132 is displayed lighter in a portion having a higher X-ray transparency and darker in a portion having a lower X-ray transparency. That is, the closed portion of the can 110 and the portion completely below the liquid surface have a low X-ray transmittance, and are therefore displayed dark. On the other hand, the headspace portion has a relatively high X-ray transmittance and is therefore displayed in a light color.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, there is an inclined liquid surface portion between the lower liquid surface portion and the head space portion, and the inclined liquid surface portion is exposed by X-rays to both the lower liquid surface portion and the head space portion. Since it permeates, the headspace portion and the portion below the liquid surface are displayed with an intermediate concentration between the two.

However, as is clear from FIG.
Since the inclined liquid surface portion has a certain width, the can 11
It is not possible to detect where the liquid surface level accurately reflects the amount of flavoring of 0. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a measurement window 160 is set between the head space portion and the liquid surface lower portion, and image measurement processing is performed on the image in this measurement window 160.

First, the measurement window setting step will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the measurement window 160 is composed of size information of the vertical measurement visual field (x direction in the drawing) and the horizontal measurement visual field (y direction in the drawing). If the operator sets a measurement window 160 on the keyboard 154 between the head space portion and the portion below the liquid surface with a size of, for example, 20 (y direction in the drawing) × 28 (x direction in the drawing) mm, the image processing means Performs the image measurement process in the measurement window 160.

As described above, the operator can easily set or change the size of the measurement window 160 from the keyboard 154 of the computer.
The measurement window 160 can be set according to the type of 0. When the measurement window 160 is set in the measurement window setting memory 138, the measurement window 160 is scanned in the x direction for each y value, and the image density (α) at the upper end of the measurement window 160 for each y value.
And the image density (β) at the lower end is detected.

Next, the measurement window 160 is scanned in the x direction for each y value, and the image density (a1, a2 ... ai ... an) at the upper end of the measurement window 160 and the image density (b1, b2) at the lower end.
... bi ... bn) are all detected, the arithmetic means performs arithmetic processing to calculate an average value (a) of image densities at the upper end and an average value (b) of image densities at the lower end.

Further, the image density (ai) at the upper end of the measurement window 160 and the image density (bi) at the lower end of each measurement window 160 of each y value (for example, i-th from the left side in the figure) obtained by the image measurement processing in the measurement window 160. By using a preset binarization percentage, the binarization level (i-th scan line) of each corresponding scan line is set to the binarization level (i-th scan line) = (ai-bi). / 100
Determined by x (percentage of binarization) + bi.

The binarization percentage can be arbitrarily set according to the type of the can 110. When a beer can is used as the inspected can, the binarization percentage is, for example, 20 to 3.
It is preferably set to 0%. When the binarization level is determined for each scanning line, the binarization processing unit binarizes the image data stored in the measurement window processing memory 152.

That is, the binarization processing unit 142 sets 1 to 2 when the i-th image density level of the image data stored in the measurement window processing memory 152 is equal to or higher than the corresponding binarization level. Those below the level of binarization are binarized to 0, and this is rewritten in the memory 152 for processing in the measurement window. Then, this binarization processing is performed from the first image density level to the nth image density level,
When stored in the processing window processing memory 152,
The liquid surface coordinate detection means 144 detects the liquid surface level at each scanning line.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid surface coordinate detecting means 144 detects where there is a change point of 0 and 1 in the x direction by scanning in the x direction for each y value of the window 160. Then, this is determined as the coordinate value (fi, i) indicating the liquid level (fi) of the i-th scanning line.

The liquid surface level (f1,1) (f2,2) of each scanning line obtained by the liquid surface coordinate detecting means 144 is ...
When (fi, i) ... (fn, n) is stored in the coordinate memory, the image processing means 124 finishes the image measuring process of the can having an appropriate content amount, and then the image measuring process of the inspected can is performed. The process is performed in the same manner as the image measuring process of the can having the appropriate amount of flavor (s304).

Then, when the image measuring process of the inspected can is completed, the respective determination parameters set in the determination parameter setting memory 150 and the detection result of the can having an appropriate content amount are used,
The calculation result of the image measurement processing of the inspected can is calculated by the calculation means 148. That is, the calculating means 148 substitutes the detection result of the image measuring process of the inspected can into the following equations 9 to 12 to perform the arithmetic processing.

[0046]

[Equation 9]

[Equation 10]

[0047]

[Equation 11]

[Equation 12]

Here, the calculating means 148 can calculate an average value from the liquid level of each scanning line of the can having an appropriate amount of contained water, and display it as a liquid level line as shown in FIG. In this case, the computing means 148 displays the liquid level of the cans to be inspected stored in the coordinate memory 146 (f1, f2 ... fi ... fn) as an image together with the liquid level of the can having an appropriate amount of filling. By displaying it on the means 156, the operator can easily compare the detection results of the can with the appropriate amount of the content and the can to be inspected.

Further, since the coordinate value of the liquid surface height on the image display means 156 and the coordinate value of the actual liquid surface height of the can are different, the calculating means 148 in the present embodiment, for example, the actual can. Based on the conversion ratio of the image display means 156 to
It is also possible to convert the liquid level height in the image display means 156 into an actual liquid level height (for example, 130.2 mm) and display this on the image display means 156 as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, in the measurement value column, the liquid level height obtained by the calculating means 148 is 0.1.
The measurement value (actual liquid level height) can be easily grasped by the operator.

Then, when the detection results of the image measurement processing of the can and the inspected can having the proper contained amounts are arithmetically processed by the arithmetic means 148, the contained amount of the inspected can is proper based on the arithmetic result. The determination means 126 determines whether there is any. That is, the determination means 126 first determines whether or not the inspected can is full, as shown in Expression 9 (s
306).

Here, as is clear from the equation, the difference in image density between the upper end and the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can indicates the upper end of the measurement window of the normal can set in the judgment parameter setting memory 150. Is smaller than a value obtained by multiplying the difference between the image densities of the lower end and the lower end by empty / full can determination% (for example, 70%), and the image density of each scanning line at the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can is determined by the determination parameter setting memory. The number of scanning lines smaller than the average value of the image densities at the lower end portion of the measurement window of the normal can set to 150 plus the determination value for each one is also set in the determination parameter setting memory 150 as empty / full. If the number of cans is equal to or more than 25 (for example, 25), the inspected can is determined to be full.

Next, the judging means 126 judges whether or not the measured can, which has not been judged as a full can in the previous stage, is an empty can by the formula 10 (s308).

Here, as is clear from the equation, the difference between the image densities at the upper end and the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can indicates the upper end of the measurement window of the normal can preset in the judgment parameter setting memory 150. Is smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the difference in image density between the lower and lower parts by the empty / full can determination% (for example, 70%), and the image density of each scanning line at the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can is set as the determination parameter. The number of scanning lines having a value larger than the sum of the average value of the image densities at the lower end portion of the measurement window of the normal can preset in the memory 150 and the determination value for each bottle is also set in the determination parameter setting memory 150. / If there are more than the number of full cans, the inspected cans will be judged as empty. Then, the determination means determines whether or not the inspected can, which has not been determined as an empty can in the previous stage, is an empty can by the equation 11 instead of the equation 10 as in the previous stage (s310).

Here, as is clear from the equation, the average value of the image densities at the lower end of the measurement window of the inspected can 110 is the image density at the lower end of the measurement window of the normal can set in the judgment parameter setting memory 150. If the value is larger than the value obtained by adding the empty can determination value (for example, 10) to the average value of, the inspected can is determined as an empty can. Then, the determination means determines whether or not the inspected can, which has not been determined as an empty can in the preceding stage, is an empty can by the formula 12 instead of the formula 10 or the formula 11 as in the preceding stage (s312).

Here, if the value of the same equation is larger than the liquid level variation determination value set in the determination parameter setting memory 150 as is clear from the equation 2, the inspected can is determined as an empty can. In addition, as mentioned above, the full can referred to here is
The measurement window is filled with the inner solution, and the empty can is filled with air and bubbles.

Next, the judging means judges whether or not the content of the inspected can, which was not judged as a full can or an empty can in the previous stage, is appropriate. That is, when the average value of the liquid level of each scanning line of the inspected can is larger than the upper limit set value set in the determination parameter setting memory 150, the inspected can is determined to have an excessive amount of flavor (s314).

Next, the determination means determines that the average value of the liquid level of each scanning line of the can to be inspected, which has not been determined in the preceding stage as having too much content, is lower than the lower limit set value set in the determination parameter setting memory 150. If it is smaller, it is judged that the inspected can is too small in content (s316). Here, what the operator should pay particular attention to in the inspection of the content of beer cans is that the state of the filler and the state of the foam are slightly different depending on the type of the contents.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b).
As described above, there are roughly two cases of defective cans that are empty cans. The figures (a) and (b) are the liquid levels of canned beer.
Although an X-ray fluoroscopic image of the vicinity was displayed on the display,
It is a photograph. One is when there is a gap between the gasket of the filler valve and the can flange, and the beer inside the can spills to the outside due to the difference in internal pressure from the atmospheric pressure, and the headspace is filled with relatively large bubbles. Yes, this is shown in FIG. The other is that there is no problem in sealing the gasket and the can, but due to a malfunction of the filling nozzle etc., a slight pressure difference occurs between the inside of the can and the filler ball, and the headspace is filled with fine bubbles. This is the case, and this is shown in FIG.

As described above, since it is necessary to pay particular attention to distinguishing the latter defective can from the normal can, in this embodiment, as described above, according to s306 to s316,
The can inspection is performed. Then, when the judging means 126 judges that the inspected can is a full can, an empty can, or a defective can with an excessively large amount or a small contained amount, the abnormality is immediately eliminated.
8 and the removing means 158 removes the product from the line, and only the inspected cans that have passed the inspection in s306 to s316 are determined as normal cans having a proper content.

In this way, according to the processing contents of the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to detect the liquid level in the can extremely accurately by inspecting whether or not the canned amount of the inspected can is proper.

FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show an installed state of an apparatus having no removing means, which is different from the in-can liquid level detecting apparatus according to the present embodiment. As is clear from the figure, in each case, the in-can liquid level detection device 100 is set immediately after the seamer 200, whereby an abnormality in the filler 202 can be detected early.

The reason for not having the removing means is that in the lines shown in FIGS.
0 is not only installed immediately after the seamer 200, but is also installed in the latter stage of the warmer 204, and when the warming reduces the amount of bubbles and the influence of bubbles is small, it is determined whether the amount of flavor is appropriate or not. This was because it was considered possible to properly carry out.

However, there is a problem that the process becomes complicated by installing 2 to 4 in-can liquid level detecting devices 100 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Immediately after the in-can liquid level detecting device 100, the removing means 158
However, since the in-can liquid level detection device 100 can accurately determine a can with a poor content, it is possible not only to detect an abnormality in the filler 202 of beer early even in the state immediately after filling, but also to eliminate the defective can from the line. Warmer 20
It becomes possible before 4 and the in-can liquid level detection device after the warmer 204 becomes unnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the line according to this embodiment includes a can stopper 301 and a filler 20.
2, a seamer 200, a filler valve transfer unit 302, and an in-can liquid level detection device 100.

In the present embodiment, the filler valve transfer unit 302 obtains the open signal of the can stopper in the figure, the filler valve head can signal, the filler pitch signal, and the seamer can detection signal as input signals. As a result, the filling valve number can be associated with the measured can.

In this embodiment, the filler valve transfer unit 302 that receives these signals detects the leading valve number to be filled in the filler by the can stopper open signal and the filler valve leading can signal in FIG. Further, by the filler pitch signal and the can body detection signal in the seamer portion, the filler valve transfer unit 302 receiving these signals detects the presence or absence of the can omission, thereby making it possible to correspond the filling valve number filled in the can to be measured. it can. The detection results of the image measurement process obtained from the inspected can 110 are totalized for each filling valve number, and the characteristic of each corresponding valve is analyzed.

Next, this analysis function will be described. Average value ascending order display function: The calculating means 148 calculates the average value of the liquid level of each scanning line representing the amount of the can of the can for each filling valve, and further calculates the standard deviation. This is displayed on the image display means 156 as shown in FIG. That is, the filling valve characteristics can be displayed in a list in ascending order of average value. Here, by setting an abnormal value or an alarm value for the average value in the determination parameter memory, when the determination unit 126 determines that the device is abnormal, the output of the determination unit 126 is output to the outside, for example, an alarm or the device is stopped. It is also possible to carry out the abnormality coping operation.

Average value descending display function: The filling valve characteristics can be displayed in a list in descending order of average value. Standard deviation display function: The filling valve characteristics can be displayed as a list in descending order of standard deviation. Valve status list display function: The average value of the detected values can be displayed in a list in a graph in the filling valve number order with a confidence interval of 95%.

Further, the operator can confirm the distribution of the detected values as a histogram by designating the filling valve number from the keyboard. In this way, the operator can easily grasp the valve characteristic he or she wants to know by changing the display order of the filling valves.

Here, by displaying the characteristics of the filler valve in a graph, for example, the information desired to be known can be more easily grasped. Further, even if there is an abnormality in the device, the operator can easily check the filling valve number in which the abnormality has occurred, so that the abnormality coping operation can be swiftly performed.

The in-can liquid level detection device according to this embodiment is
In addition to the functions described above, in order to improve reliability, operability, and maintainability, the following functions are further provided.

Rejection error detection function: determination means 12
The output of No. 6 is instructed to the excluding means 158, but the determining means 126 can also confirm whether or not this defective can has been actually excluded from the line when a can with an improper filling amount is detected. Here, when the determination means 126 confirms that the defective can has not been removed, it can take an abnormal action such as an alarm or stop of the device as described above.

Abnormality detecting function: The judging means 126 can also detect an abnormality in the X-ray visualization panel 130 including a photoelectric sensor, an X-ray tube, an image intensifier, the CCD 122 camera and the image processing means 124. Further, for example, a setting error in the measurement window 160 or a measurement timing defect is detected, and the details of the abnormality are displayed on the image display unit 156.
It is possible to display an error message or perform an abnormal action such as an alarm or a stop of the device.

Automatic height adjusting mechanism: When the operator selects the type of the inspected can 110 from the keyboard 154 of the computer, the judging means 126 drives the pulse motor to determine the height of the X-ray detecting head. The height can be adjusted automatically to fit almost any height.

As described above, the in-can liquid level detection device 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with the detection means for detecting various abnormalities, so that it is possible to further improve the reliability of the determination of the adequacy of the amount of flavor. Further, even when there is some abnormality in the device, the operator can easily grasp the details of the abnormality, and therefore the abnormality coping operation can be promptly performed.

[0077]

As described above, according to the in-can liquid level detection device of the present invention, the liquid level information is detected from the can transmission X-ray image, and each of the determination formulas described above is used to determine the amount of flavor. Therefore, for example, even when abnormal forming occurs due to the trouble of the filler and the liquid level detection detection becomes unstable, it is possible to extremely accurately detect the can with a poor content. Moreover, the can inspection can be performed at high speed by imaging the transmitted X-ray of the can with the imaging means.

Since the grayscale image from the image pickup means is image-measured for each filling valve and the filling valve characteristics are displayed on the image display means in real time, each filling valve characteristic can be easily monitored. For example, even if some abnormality occurs in the filling valve, it is possible to quickly deal with the abnormality. Further, by calculating the average value from the liquid level of each scanning line of the grayscale image and displaying it in real time on the image display means, the operator can easily grasp the state of the liquid level in the can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional in-can liquid level detection mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a conventional in-can liquid level detection mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid level detecting device in a can according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of image processing means of the in-can liquid level detection device shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of image measurement processing by the in-can liquid level detection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an image processing state by the in-can liquid surface detection device shown in FIG.

7 is an explanatory diagram of an image processing state by the in-can liquid surface detection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an image processing state by the in-can liquid surface detection device shown in FIG.

9 is a liquid level detection in a can which is an example of the detection result by the device shown in FIG.

10 is an example of a detection result by the in-can liquid level detection device shown in FIG.

11 (a) and (b) are the liquid levels of canned beer.
A photograph of a recent X-ray fluoroscopic image displayed on the display.
Is true.

12 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views of the installation state of the conventional in-can liquid level detection device and the in-can liquid level detection device of the present invention.

13 is an explanatory diagram of an installed state of the in-can liquid level detection device shown in FIG.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An X-ray irradiating means, which is arranged on one side of a continuously conveyed can and irradiates X-rays in a planar manner in the vicinity of the inner liquid surface, and the X-ray irradiating means sandwiching a can to be inspected. Placed facing each other,
Imaging means for imaging can-transmitted X-rays, image display means for displaying a grayscale image corresponding to the X-ray transmission amount from the imaging means, headspace portion of the grayscale image displayed on the image display means, and liquid Measurement window setting means for setting a measurement window between the lower part of the plane, and image measurement processing of the grayscale image in the measurement window set by the measurement window setting means, and the upper and lower ends of the measurement window for each scanning line Image processing means for detecting the image density and liquid level of a portion, and the image density and liquid level of the upper and lower ends of the measurement window of each scanning line obtained by the image processing means When the conditional expression is satisfied, the inspected can is judged to be full, and [Equation 3] [Equation 4] And at least one of the following conditional expressions is satisfied, a determination means for determining the inspected can as an empty can, and a liquid level detecting device in a can. 2. The in-can liquid level detection device according to claim 1, further comprising detection means which is provided in front of the X-ray irradiating means and which associates a valve number with which the inspected can is filled with contents with the image. The in-can liquid level detection device is characterized in that the processing means performs image measurement processing of the grayscale image from the imaging means for each valve number, and displays each filling valve characteristic on the image display means in real time. 3. The in-can liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing means calculates an average value from the liquid level of each scanning line of the grayscale image, and the calculated average value is displayed on the image display means. A liquid level detection device in a can that is displayed in real time.