JP3436150B2 - Appearance inspection method and apparatus for linear body - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear body appearance inspection method and apparatus for performing a visual inspection of a linear body having non-linear body portions at both ends.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for detecting a surface defect of a cable, light from an annular light source is irradiated with a width in the axial direction of the cable, and an image of an inspection portion by the reflected light is formed by a lens system. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-27242 discloses an apparatus for detecting a defect by binarizing the image processing apparatus. In this conventional example, it is not possible to perform an inspection with parts attached to both ends of the cable. Also, it is not possible to inspect the cable when it is loose. Further, there is a problem that a large number of image pickup devices are required.

On the other hand, as a device for inspecting the appearance of a cylindrical object, a large number of cylindrical objects arranged in a row are rotated, and the image pickup device is continuously moved in the arrangement direction thereof, and the picture element of the obtained video signal is obtained. An apparatus for shifting the coordinates and inspecting the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object is disclosed in JP-A-56-16849. In this conventional example, only one imaging device is required, but it cannot be inspected unless it has a cylindrical shape, and it is not suitable for visual inspection of a linear body having non-linear body portions at both ends.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to perform a visual inspection of a linear body having non-linear body portions at both ends. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for inspecting the appearance of linear objects that can be performed.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG. 1, the appearance of a linear body 1 having non-linear body portions 2 and 3 at both ends is changed. An inspection device, which is a fixing jig 4 for fixing the non-linear body portions 2 and 3, and a conveying means 9 for conveying the fixing jig 4.
During transportation, the linear body 1 is evacuated to the outside of the course and the linear body 1
5, a means 5 for applying tension to the linear body 1 by moving into the path of the linear body 1, a means 6 for gripping the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 and moving them up and down, and an imaging means 7-1 for imaging the inspection object. 7-2,
A means 10 for moving the imaging means 7-1 up and down, and an imaging means 7
Image processing devices 8-1 and 8-2 for processing the images captured by -1 and 7-2 to determine the presence or absence of defects. Using this inspection device, the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 at both ends are fixed at substantially the same height at a predetermined interval, and the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 at both ends are substantially V-shaped or substantially U-shaped. A tension is applied to the linear body portion 1 by urging the member 5 inserted between the linear body portions 1 that hang down in a letter shape, and the appearance of the linear body portion 1 can be moved in the vertical direction. The image is picked up by the image pickup means 7-1, and the picked-up image is processed to determine whether or not there is a defect in the linear body portion 1. Further, the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 are imaged by the imaging means 7-2, and the captured image is processed to determine the presence / absence of defects in the non-linear body portions 2 and 3.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a visual inspection apparatus for a linear body according to the present invention.
This device is a device for performing a visual inspection of a linear body 1 having non-linear body portions 2 and 3 at both ends as shown in FIG. 2. The inspection object is fixed to a fixing jig 4. It is conveyed in the direction shown by the arrow H in FIG. The tension bar 5 is a mechanism for applying tension so that inspection can be performed even if the linear body portion is loose. An operation of applying tension to the linear body portion by the movement of the tension bar 5 is shown in FIG.
Shown in. When the object to be inspected is conveyed, the tension bar 5 is retracted so as not to hinder the conveyance of the linear body portion. When the object to be inspected enters the field of view of the image pickup means 7-1, the transportation of the object to be inspected is stopped and the tension bar 5 is moved to the arrow A in FIG.
It advances in the direction shown in, and is inserted between the linear body portions 1.
In this state, the tension bar 5 descends in the direction shown by arrow B in FIG. As a result, tension is applied to the linear body portion. The image pickup means 7-1 is configured to include a television camera and a lighting device, and these are moved by the vertical movement mechanism 10 as shown in FIG.
Moving in the direction indicated by arrow C, the external appearance of the linear body portion is imaged. The image picked up by the image pickup means 7-1 is sent to the image processing device 8-1 to be subjected to the image processing of the change in gradation, and the presence or absence of a defect in the linear body portion is judged. The image pickup means 7
If it is necessary to inspect the rear surface that has a blind spot of -1, the same inspection is performed in a separate process.

When the inspection process of the linear body portion by the image pickup means 7-1 is completed, the tension bar 5 is raised and retracted. Thereafter, the object to be inspected is conveyed by the conveying means 9 to the arrow H in FIG.
When the object to be inspected is conveyed in the direction indicated by (1) and enters the visual field of the image pickup means 7-2, the object to be inspected is stopped from being conveyed. Imaging means 7
-2 is configured to include a pair of a television camera and a lighting device. The first television camera captures an image of the appearance of the first non-linear body portion 2, and the second television camera captures the second non-linear portion. The appearance of the body portion 3 is imaged. Imaging means 7
-2 is fixed, but the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 can be grasped and lifted by the chuck 6, and the imaging means 7
The non-linear body portions 2 and 3 can be moved to the field of view of -2. Further, as will be described later, the back side and side surfaces of the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 can be inspected by rotating the chuck 6. The image picked up by the image pickup means 7-2 is sent to the image processing device 8-2 to be subjected to image processing for change in gradation, and it is judged whether or not there is a defect in the non-linear body portions 2 and 3.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the mechanism for applying tension to the linear body portion is provided, the inspection can be performed even if the linear body portion is loose. Further, not only the linear body portion but also the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 can be inspected.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed structure of a fixing jig 4 for fixing the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 of the inspection object. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the fixing jig 4 is formed by cutting out one end of a horizontal plate-like body into a substantially E shape so that the cutout portions 41, 42 are formed.
A pair of substantially L-shaped support members 4a, 4 on both sides of the
b; 4c and 4d are erected. As can be seen from the drawing, the inspection object of the present embodiment is an extension cord with a tap, one non-linear body portion 2 is a tap provided with a three-port AC outlet, and the other non-linear body portion 3 is It is an AC plug. A winding cord portion 11 is provided in the middle of the linear body portion 1. When fixing the inspection object to the fixing jig 4, the linear body portion 1 of the inspection object is passed through the notches 41 and 42 of the fixing jig 4 as shown by the arrow in FIG. ,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the object to be inspected is suspended by the weight of the linear body portion 1. At this time, the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 are positioned by the support members 4a and 4b; 4c and 4d. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 5, it suffices to support the joining portion of the boundary between the linear body portion and the non-linear body portion vertically downward, and the linear body portion hangs down by its own weight. Tangles are less likely to occur during transportation or rotation.

6 and 7 are comparative examples with respect to the present embodiment, where the junction between the linear body portion and the non-linear body portion does not face vertically downward, entanglement or the like occurs during transportation or rotation. It is an action explanatory view showing what occurs. FIG. 6 shows a problem when the object to be inspected is conveyed. When the joint between the linear body portion and the non-linear body portion does not face vertically downward, the linear portion is not free during conveyance. As a result, the linear parts are entangled with each other during transportation. FIG. 7 shows a problem at the time of rotation of the non-linear body part, and when the joining part of the boundary between the linear body part and the non-linear body part does not face vertically downward, the non-linear body part rotates. Since the linear part is not free at times, the linear part is entangled with the rotation of the non-linear body part.

In the present embodiment, such a problem can be solved, and the linear body portion is supported by vertically supporting the joining portion at the boundary between the linear body portion and the non-linear body portion. Is free, and entanglement is less likely to occur during transportation or rotation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a mechanism for carrying the object to be inspected, which is supported by the fixing jig 4, by the carrying means 9. When the side of the fixing jig 4 on which the pair of cutouts is provided is the front, the transporting means 9 cantilevers the fixing jig 4 from the rear side and supports the fixing jig 4 directly below the cutout without any obstacles. is doing. In this state, the conveying means 9 has a function of horizontally moving the fixing jig 4 while keeping the fixing jig 4 substantially horizontal.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the work moving surface projects forward from the center position of the transporting section, and the linear body 1 can be horizontally moved while hanging down by its own weight. As a result, there is no obstacle such that the linear body portion 1 is entangled with a part of the transporting means 9 when the inspection object is transported, and a special mechanism for transporting the linear body portion 1 is not required. Therefore, the mechanism of the conveying means 9 becomes simple.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed structure of the chuck 6 for holding the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 of the inspection object.
In the chuck 6 of the present embodiment, the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 of the inspection object supported by the above-mentioned fixing jig 4 are shown in FIG.
After being gripped and lifted as shown in FIG. 10, rotation mechanisms 61 and 62 for rotating as shown in FIG. 10B are provided.
The gripping portions 6a and 6b; 6c and 6d are reversed in arrangement in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). That is, in the example shown in the figure, it is rotated by 180 degrees, so that it is possible to inspect not only the front side but also the back side of the non-linear body portions 2 and 3 using the same imaging means. Also, the rotation angle is 9
By changing the angle from 0 degrees to 270 degrees, the left and right side surfaces can be visually inspected.

As the rotating mechanism, for example, a stepping motor or the like can be used, and the rotating angle can be set arbitrarily, but the rotating mechanism is not limited to this. For example, if the shape of the non-linear body portion is such that the side surface can be ignored, or if the side surface inspection is not required due to the nature of the product and only the front and rear surface inspections are required, 1
Since only the function of rotating 80 degrees is required, a simple two-position rotating mechanism using an electromagnetic cylinder or the like can be used.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 shows a backup plate 1 that supports the linear body portion from the rear during inspection of the linear body portion.
2 shows an example in which 2 is provided. The backup plate 12 used in this embodiment is made of a substantially rectangular plate material having a long side in the vertical direction and a short side in the horizontal direction, and a slit through which the tension bar 5 can pass is provided in the vertical direction at the center thereof. ing. The backup plate 12 can be moved back and forth along the optical axis direction of the imaging means 7-1 by a back and forth moving mechanism. When the object to be inspected is conveyed by the conveying means 9, the backup plate 12 and the tension bar 5 are retracted so as not to hinder the movement of the linear body portion.

When the object to be inspected enters the field of view of the image pickup means 7-1 for inspecting the linear body portion, the transportation of the object to be inspected is stopped and, as shown in FIG. Moves forward, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11B, the tension bar 5 descends to apply tension to the linear body portion.
After that, as shown in FIG. 11C, the backup plate 12 advances to support the linear body portion from the rear. In this state, the imaging means 7-1 is moved up and down to image the linear body portion.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the operation of the backup plate 12 according to this embodiment. When the backup plate 12 of this embodiment is not used, a state where the distance between the linear body portion 1 and the camera (imaging means 7-1) is not constant may occur as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the backup plate 12 that supports the linear body portion from the rear side is provided as in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12B, the linear body portion 1 and the camera (imaging means 7-1) are provided. The distance can be kept constant, and highly accurate inspection is possible.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which a backup roller 13 which descends while supporting the linear body portion from the rear is provided at the time of inspecting the linear body. The backup roller 13 used in the present embodiment is a roller that can rotate about a horizontal direction that is substantially vertical to the optical axis direction of the image pickup means 7-1 and has no rotational force by itself, but is a linear member. Both ends are rotatably supported as shown in FIG. 14 (a) so that they can freely rotate by coming down while making contact. Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the surface of the roller is made of a rubber-like soft material so that the surface of the linear body is not scratched by the contact with the linear body portion. ing.

Also in this embodiment, the backup roller 13 can be moved back and forth along the optical axis direction of the image pickup means 7-1 by the back and forth moving mechanism. When the object to be inspected is conveyed by the conveying means 9, the backup roller 13 and the tension bar 5 are retracted so as not to hinder the movement of the linear body portion.

When the object to be inspected enters the visual field of the image pickup means 7-1 for inspecting the linear body portion, the conveyance of the object to be inspected is stopped, and as shown in FIG. Moves forward, and then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the tension bar 5 descends to apply tension to the linear body portion.
After that, as shown in FIG. 13C, the backup roller 13 advances, supporting the linear body portion from the rear,
To descend. The imaging unit 7-1 also descends in conjunction with the descent of the backup roller 13, and images the linear body portion.
As a result, the image capturing unit 7-1 can capture an image of the linear body pushed out by the backup roller 13, and can always inspect the linear body under the same conditions.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the difference in operation between the backup roller 13 according to this embodiment and the backup plate 12 according to the second embodiment. When the linear body portion 1 is twisted while the linear body portion 1 is being tensioned by the lowering of the tension bar 5, the backup plate 12 is moved forward as shown in FIG. 15 (a). In this case, it is not possible to correct the twist in the plane. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the backup roller 13 is moved forward and then lowered, the backup roller 13 descends while extending the twist of the linear body portion by axial line contact instead of surface contact. Since the backup plate 12 can correct the twist and the like that cannot be corrected.

FIG. 16 shows a method for easily inspecting the front and back surfaces of the linear body portion. First, as described above, the front surface of the linear body is inspected by lowering the imaging means 7-1 in conjunction with the lowering of the backup roller 13. This operation is shown in FIG. Next, the non-linear body portion is gripped by a chuck and then rotated. In this state, the backup roller 13 is raised, and in conjunction with this, the imaging means 7
The rear surface of the linear body is inspected by raising -1. This operation is shown in FIG. With this configuration, the front and back surfaces of the linear body can be inspected in the same process, and the inspection can be performed under the same conditions.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 17 shows an embodiment in which winding cord guides 14 are provided on both sides of the tension bar 5. In the present embodiment, the case where the linear body portion is long and the winding portion is formed in order to collect the linear body portion, for example, the case where the central portion of the linear body portion is formed into a figure 8 shape to form the winding cord portion By stabilizing the posture of the winding cord portion, the winding cord portion can be easily inspected.

When the tension bar 5 is advanced during the inspection of the linear body portion, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), a pair of lines is provided between the tension bar 5 and the winding cord guides 14 provided on both sides thereof. The stop position of the object to be inspected is controlled so that each of the bodies passes through. The tension bar 5 moves forward,
When descending, the winding cord portion becomes horizontal as shown in FIG. 17B, and the posture is stabilized.

FIG. 18 is a winding cord guide 14 of this embodiment.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the difference of the attitude | position of the winding cord part 11 by the presence or absence of. Without using the winding cord guide 14 of the present embodiment,
When the winding cord portion 11 is pulled downward only by the tension bar 5, the posture of the winding cord portion 11 is unstable as shown in FIG. 18 (a). Therefore, the appearance inspection of the winding cord portion 11 becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the winding cord guides 14 are provided on both sides of the tension bar 5 as in the present embodiment, the winding cord portion 11 contacts the winding cord guides 14 when the tension bar 5 is lowered. The posture of the winding cord portion 11 is stable. Thereby, the appearance inspection of the winding cord portion 11 can be easily performed. Specifically, in the image processing apparatus, when comparing and collating with a non-defective model, a process of rotationally converting the inspection image is unnecessary.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 19 shows an embodiment having the above-mentioned winding cord guide, further comprising a winding cord backup 15 for supporting the winding cord portion from the rear during inspection. Volume code backup 15
20 until the tension bar 5 is completely lowered.
As shown in FIG. 20A, it is retracted, and after the tension bar 5 is completely lowered, it is advanced as shown in FIG. 20B to support the winding cord portion 11 from the rear.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of the operation of the winding code backup 15 according to this embodiment. When the winding cord backup 15 is retracted, as shown in FIG. 20A, the winding cord portion 11 does not always face the front with respect to the optical axis direction of the camera (imaging unit 7-1). . On the other hand, if the winding cord backup 15 is moved forward, as shown in FIG.
Since it faces the front with respect to the optical axis direction of 1), the winding cord portion 1
The inspection accuracy of 1 can be improved. FIG. 21 shows an example of the inspection image.

According to Embodiments 4 and 5 described above, when the winding portion is included in the linear body portion, the winding portion can be continuously inspected after the inspection of the linear body portion, Also, the surface appearance inspection of the winding outer ring can be performed under the same optical system conditions as the linear body portion.

When there is no winding portion in the linear body portion, the linear body portion hangs down in a substantially U shape, and when this is pulled in a substantially V shape by one tension bar, it is folded back. Although there is a risk of damaging the linear body due to excessive bending at a point, if a winding portion exists in the middle of the linear body portion as in the present embodiment, the wire will be bent due to its own weight. Since the body portion hangs down in a substantially V shape, there is no risk of damaging the linear body even if tension is applied by one tension bar.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 22 shows an embodiment relating to a method for inspecting a non-linear body portion. In this embodiment, in order to inspect the entire circumference of the non-linear body portion, the chuck 6 holds the non-linear body portion, the imaging means 7-2 images the non-linear body portion, and the image processing device 8 -2 in the image memory. Next, the chuck 6 is rotated by a certain angle by the rotating mechanism, the non-linear body portion is imaged again, and the chuck 6 is rotated.
Only the area calculated from the rotation angle is stored in the image memory. The same operation is repeated to image the entire circumference of the non-linear body portion. In the image processing device 8-2, the images stored in the image memory are concatenated, and the images are processed as a developed image of the non-linear body portion to determine pass / fail. Accordingly, the entire circumference of the non-linear body portion can be inspected without using a plurality of imaging means, and the inspection can be performed even when the non-linear body portion is not cylindrical.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 23 shows an embodiment for reducing the influence of the chuck to be gripped when inspecting a non-linear body portion. In this embodiment, first, the chuck 6 grips the first position of the non-linear body portion, and a developed image of the non-linear body portion is captured by the method described in the sixth embodiment. Next, the second position of the non-linear body is gripped by the chuck, and a developed image of the non-linear body portion is captured by the method described in the sixth embodiment. In the illustrated example, the first position is the left and right side surfaces of the non-linear body portion, and the second position is the front surface and the back surface of the non-linear body portion.
It is good if the positions of do not overlap. Next, of the developed image when gripped at the first position and the developed image when gripped at the second position, the image of the portion not gripped by the chuck is superimposed. The developed image of the non-linear body obtained by this combined editing is subjected to image processing to determine the presence / absence of a surface defect, and the quality is determined. According to this embodiment, the inspection can be performed without being affected by the shape, size, material, etc. of the chuck to be gripped.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 24 shows another embodiment for reducing the influence of the chuck 6 to be gripped when inspecting a non-linear body portion. In this embodiment, the chuck 6 for gripping the non-linear body portion is a transparent body. When inspecting the non-linear body portion, the chuck 6 holds an arbitrary position of the non-linear body portion, and a developed image of the non-linear body portion is captured by the method described in the sixth embodiment.
At this time, the portion gripped by the chuck 6 and the portion not gripped by the chuck 6 are simultaneously imaged. However, since the gripped portion of the chuck 6 is a transparent body, the appearance inspection of the entire circumference of the non-linear body portion is performed. The image required for can be obtained in one step.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since there is a mechanism for applying tension to the linear body portion, it is possible to perform inspection even if the linear body portion is slack, and only with the linear body portion. It is also possible to inspect non-linear parts. According to the invention of claim 2, since the jig for fixing the inspection object is used so that the joint portion of the non-linear object portion with the linear object faces vertically downward, it is possible to transport the inspection object during transportation or It is difficult for entanglement of the linear parts during rotation.

According to the invention of claim 3, since the path of the linear body is set outside the conveying means, the linear body portion is not entangled with the conveying means during the conveying. Further, since the linear body portion does not pass through the carrying means, the mechanism of the carrying means is simplified. According to the invention of claim 4, since the means for gripping the non-linear body portion and moving it up and down has a mechanism for rotating the non-linear body portion, it is possible to inspect the back surface portion which is a blind spot of the imaging means. Become.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing the backup plate that supports the linear body from the side opposite to the image pickup means at the time of image pickup, the distance between the image pickup means and the linear body can be kept constant, and the height can be increased. Accuracy inspection becomes possible. Claim 6
According to the invention, by providing the backup roller that supports the linear body from the side opposite to the image pickup means at the time of image capturing, the linear body portion can be extended by the line contact instead of the surface contact, so that the backup plate is straightened. It is possible to correct twists and the like of linear bodies that cannot be performed. If the backup roller is made of a rubber-like soft material, the surface of the linear body will not be scratched during the inspection.

According to the invention of claim 7, when the linear body has a winding portion in the middle thereof, guides for stabilizing the posture of the winding portion are provided on both sides of the tension bar for urging the winding portion downward. By providing, the inspection of the winding portion becomes easy. According to the invention of claim 8, the means for supporting the winding portion from the opposite side of the imaging means at the time of imaging is provided, so that the front surface of the winding portion can be oriented in the optical axis direction of the imaging means.
High-precision inspection is possible.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the linear body is tensioned in the linear body inspection step, the linear body can be inspected even if it is loose, and the linear body can be inspected. Since it is not necessary to apply tension all the time, the stress on the inspection object can be reduced. Further, before and after the linear body inspection step, by removing the tension of the linear body, it is possible to easily carry it, and it is possible to easily perform the step of gripping and inspecting the non-linear body portion.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, in the non-linear body inspection step, the non-linear body portion is gripped by the chuck while the tension of the linear body portion is removed, and the non-linear body portion is removed. Since the chuck is moved so as to be in the field of view of the image pickup means, even if the side of the image pickup means is fixed,
It is possible to obtain an image required for inspection of a non-linear object. As described in the embodiment, if the two non-linear body portions are simultaneously gripped by the chuck at a predetermined interval and the images are simultaneously captured by the two TV cameras, the non-linear body portion movement process can be performed. It can be done in one step.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by rotating the non-linear body portion within the visual field of the image pickup means, it is possible to inspect the blind spot of the image pickup means. According to the invention of claim 12, a plurality of images captured while rotating the non-linear body portion are combined and edited as a developed image of the non-linear body portion. The entire circumference of the non-linear body portion can be inspected.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of developed images in which the non-linear body portion is held at different positions are combined, the size, shape, material, position, etc. of the holding portion of the chuck can be determined. Independent inspection is possible. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the chuck that holds the non-linear body portion is a transparent body, a developed image of the non-linear body portion can be obtained in one step.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the linear object inspection step, the tensioned linear object portion is pushed out by the backup roller from the side opposite to the imaging means, and the imaging means is interlocked with the lowering of the backup roller. Since the image of the linear body portion is picked up by lowering, it is possible to always inspect the linear body under the same conditions. According to the invention of claim 16, the step of rotating the non-linear body portion is performed between the step of imaging the linear body while lowering the backup roller and the step of imaging the linear body while raising the backup roller. Since it has, the front and back surfaces of the linear body can be inspected under the same conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an appearance inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a linear object to be inspected according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a step of inspecting a linear body portion by the appearance inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fixing jig used in the visual inspection apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a non-linear body portion attached to one end of a linear body to be inspected according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an operation during conveyance of a comparative example for explaining the operation of claim 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an operation at the time of rotation of a comparative example for explaining the operation of claim 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of an inspection apparatus according to claim 3;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the main configuration of the inspection device according to claim 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the chuck used in the inspection device of claim 4;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the backup plate used in the inspection device of claim 5;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view for explaining a difference in operation depending on the presence / absence of a backup plate used in the inspection apparatus according to claim 5;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the backup roller used in the inspection device of claim 6;

14A and 14B are views showing a backup roller used in the inspection apparatus of claim 6, wherein FIG. 14A is a perspective view and FIG. 14B is a sectional view.

FIG. 15 is a backup plate according to claim 5 and claim 6;
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining the difference in operation of the backup rollers of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view for explaining a method of inspecting both front and back surfaces of a linear body using a backup roller according to the inspection method of claims 15 and 16.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the winding cord guide used in the inspection device according to claim 7;

FIG. 18 is a schematic front view for explaining the difference in operation depending on the presence or absence of a winding cord guide used in the inspection device according to claim 7;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the wound cord backup used in the inspection device of claim 8;

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view for explaining a difference in operation depending on the presence / absence of a winding cord backup used in the inspection device of claim 8;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection image of a wound cord portion imaged by the inspection device according to claim 8;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a process of obtaining a developed image by the inspection method of claim 12;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a process of obtaining a developed image by the inspection method according to claim 13;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a process of obtaining a developed image by the inspection method of claim 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 linear body 2 Non-linear body part 3 Non-linear body part 4 Fixing jig 5 tension bar 6 chuck 7 Imaging means 8 Image processing means 9 Transport means 10 Vertical movement mechanism

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-27242 (JP, A) JP-A-8-240537 (JP, A) JP-A-9-72860 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 21/84-21/958

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device for inspecting the appearance of a linear body having a non-linear body portion at both ends thereof, which conveys the fixing jig for fixing the non-linear body portion and the fixing jig. Conveying means, means for retracting outside the course of the linear body during conveyance, moving into the course of the linear body for inspection and applying tension to the linear body, grasping the non-linear body portion and moving it up and down Means, an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to be inspected, a means for moving the image pickup means up and down, and an image processing device for processing an image picked up by the image pickup means to determine the presence or absence of a defect. Appearance inspection device for linear objects. 2. The fixing jig according to claim 1,
An appearance inspection apparatus for a linear object, characterized in that it is means for fixing an object to be inspected so that a joint portion of the non-linear object portion with the linear object faces vertically downward. 3. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the path of the linear body is set outside the transport means. 4. The appearance inspection apparatus for a linear body according to claim 1, wherein the means for holding and moving the non-linear body portion up and down further has a mechanism for rotating the non-linear body portion. 5. The apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a linear body according to claim 1, further comprising a backup plate that supports the linear body from the side opposite to the image pickup means during image pickup. 6. The appearance inspection apparatus for a linear body according to claim 1, further comprising a backup roller that supports the linear body from the side opposite to the image pickup means when the linear body is imaged. 7. The linear body according to claim 1, wherein the linear body has a winding portion in the middle thereof, and the means for applying a tension to the linear body is a tension bar for urging the winding portion downward. An appearance inspection apparatus for a linear body, characterized in that it has guides on both sides for stabilizing the posture of the winding portion. 8. The appearance inspection apparatus for a linear body according to claim 7, further comprising means for supporting the winding portion from the side opposite to the imaging means during imaging. 9. A method for inspecting the appearance of a linear body having non-linear body portions at both ends, wherein the non-linear body portions at both ends are fixed at substantially the same height at a predetermined interval and both ends are fixed. The member inserted between the non-linear body portion and the linear body portion hanging in a substantially V-shape or a substantially U-shape is urged downward to give tension to the linear body portion, A linear body inspection step of taking an image of the appearance of the body part by an image pickup means capable of moving in the vertical direction, processing the taken image to determine the presence or absence of a defect, and a linear body inspection step before or after the linear body inspection step. And a non-linear body inspection step of determining the presence or absence of a defect by capturing an image of the linear body portion with an image capturing means and processing the captured image. 10. The non-linear body inspection step according to claim 9, wherein the non-linear body portion is gripped by a chuck while the tension of the linear body portion is removed, and the non-linear body portion is imaged by an imaging means. The method for inspecting the appearance of a linear body, comprising the step of moving the chuck so as to be in the field of view. 11. The chuck according to claim 10, comprising a mechanism for rotating a non-linear body portion within a field of view of the imaging means, and the non-linear body inspection step includes a plurality of imaging steps performed by the imaging means. The appearance inspection method, which comprises rotating the non-linear body portion at least once during the imaging step. 12. The non-linear object inspection step according to claim 11, wherein the non-linear object portion is rotated by a predetermined angle during a plurality of imaging steps performed by the imaging means, and is obtained in each imaging step. A method for inspecting the appearance of a linear body, comprising the step of synthesizing the developed images and editing them as a developed image of a non-linear body portion. 13. The non-linear object inspection step according to claim 12, wherein the non-linear object portion is grasped at the first position to obtain a first developed image of the non-linear object portion, A step of gripping the linear body portion at a second position different from the first position to obtain a second developed image of the non-linear body portion; and a step of synthesizing at least the first and second developed images A method for inspecting the appearance of a linear body, which comprises a step of editing as a developed image of the linear body portion. 14. The non-linear body portion according to claim 12, wherein the chuck for holding the non-linear body portion is a transparent body, and a developed image of the non-linear body portion captured through the transparent body is obtained in one step. Appearance inspection method for non-linear parts. 15. The backup roller for supporting the linear body portion to which tension is applied in the linear body inspection step from the side opposite to the imaging means according to claim 9, and the imaging means is linked with the descending movement of the backup roller. A method for inspecting the appearance of a non-linear body portion, which comprises lowering and imaging the linear body portion. 16. The image pickup device according to claim 15, wherein the imaging means is moved down in conjunction with the descent of the backup roller to image the surface of the linear body, and then the non-linear body portion is rotated while tension is applied. A method for inspecting the appearance of a linear body, characterized in that the back surface of the linear body is imaged by raising the imaging means in conjunction with the elevation of the backup roller while raising the backup roller.