JP3815874B2 - Container leak detection method and container leak detection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container leak detection method and a leak container detection apparatus, and more particularly, to a leak inspection method and apparatus that automatically and continuously detects a container leak online.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a container filled with fluid, a container in which pressurized gas is sealed is required to ensure the hermeticity of the container. An example of such a container is a stainless barrel container filled with beer. FIG. 7 shows the appearance of a barrel container filled with beer, and FIG. 8 shows the internal structure near the barrel opening.
[0003]
The barrel container 100 is provided with a base part 102 at an upper part of a container body 101 and a cylindrical part 103 extending from the container body 101 at a lower part. The base part 102 includes a valve for introducing and discharging beer and a valve mechanism for sealing pressurized gas inside.
FIG. 8 shows these valve mechanisms. A fitting 103 is fixed to the base 102 by screwing, and a joint between the base 102 and the fitting 103 is sealed by a seal ring 104. The fitting 103 has a bush 105 screwed into the base 102 and a down tube 106 whose tip extends to the vicinity of the bottom of the container body 101, and a gas flow passage chamber 107 is formed between the bush 105 and the down tube 106. Yes.
[0004]
The down tube 106 is urged upward by a coil spring 108. An elastic seal member provided at the upper end of the down tube 106 abuts against the inner wall of the bush 105 to form a gas valve 109. When the down tube 106 is pushed down, the barrel The inside and outside of the container communicate. In addition, a beer valve 111 that is biased upward by a compression coil spring 110 is provided at the upper end of the down tube 106, and when the beer valve 111 is pushed down, the upper end and the lower end of the down tube communicate with each other, It has a structure that allows injection and discharge of beer into and out of a barrel container.
[0005]
As described above, the barrel container 100 has a hermetically sealed structure so that internal filling gas and beer do not leak through the joint between the base portion 102 and the fitting 103, the gas valve 109, the beer valve 111, the seal ring 104, and the like. However, if an elastic member such as a coil spring or a seal member becomes worn with use, the valve mechanism is deformed due to an impact or the like, or a crack occurs in a welded portion, etc., a complete sealed state cannot be maintained. It also affects the quality of the content beer. For this reason, this kind of barrel is inspected for leaks before filling the contents.
[0006]
As a method for inspecting the leak of the barrel container, a visual inspection, a method of detecting the leak of light using a lighting fixture, or a gas such as helium introduced into the barrel container to determine whether there is any leak of the gas. There are methods for detecting and detecting the leakage of the container, etc., but all of them require time and effort for the operation, and there are difficulties in detection accuracy. Therefore, the applicant has already developed and proposed a container leak detection apparatus using an ultrasonic measuring device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-103844). FIG. 9 shows an example of a leak detection device disclosed herein. The leak detection device 200 is installed in the middle of the transport path of the transport conveyor 101, and an inspection stopper 105 for stopping the barrel container 100 transported to the inspection position is provided at the inspection position of the transport path. A stopper 104 for waiting the barrel container 100 is provided upstream of the installation position of the leak inspection apparatus 200. The barrel container 100 transported to the leak detection position is preliminarily filled with compressed air by opening the gas valve 109 of the fitting 103 shown in FIG.
[0007]
The leak detection device 200 includes a gantry 210, a lift cylinder 206 that pushes up a barrel container in an inspection position, and a box-shaped fixed sound insulation device 207 provided on the upper portion of the gantry 210. And a sound wave sensor 208 attached to the fixed sound insulation device 207. And in this leak detection apparatus 200, the barrel container 100 conveyed to the test | inspection position is lifted so that the opening | mouth part may enter in the fixed sound insulation apparatus 207 with the lift cylinder 206. FIG.
[0008]
For the acoustic wave sensor 208, for example, an acoustic transducer such as a microphone or a piezoelectric element is used. As shown in FIG. 10, the generated ultrasonic wave is picked up by a sonic sensor 208, converted into an electrical signal, amplified by a preamplifier 212, and then leaked from a predetermined frequency band, that is, a barrel container by a bandpass filter 213. The frequency band in which the information is distributed is selected so as to pass only 36 KHz to 45 KHz, for example. The leakage information that has passed through the band pass filter 213 is counted by the frequency counter 215 via the waveform shaper 214, sent to the frequency display means 216, and output to the level detection means 217 so that the presence or absence of leakage is displayed on the display means 218. I have to.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the leak container detection apparatus using the leak detection apparatus by ultrasonic measurement, as a preparation stage, in the process of injecting pressurized gas into the barrel container, and in the inspection position, the barrel container is installed with the acoustic wave sensor. Since there is a step of introducing into the sound insulation device, the presence or absence of leakage can be obtained from the detection signal from the ultrasonic sensor, so by controlling the movement of the barrel container using the barrel container conveying means, online Suitable for automatic inspection.
[0010]
On the other hand, in the process of filling beer and other barrel containers, a large amount of barrel containers are handled. However, the previous stage of leak inspection also handles a large number of barrel containers, which makes the inspection efficient and detection accuracy. Is required to be high. In order to increase the number of inspections per unit time, if the number of inspection lines is increased, it can be increased according to the number of lines, but in reality there are restrictions on the space and equipment for inspection in the factory, There is a demand for higher inspection efficiency in a limited space.
[0011]
In view of the present invention, in view of such problems, in a leak container detection method using a leak detection apparatus by ultrasonic measurement, to obtain a leak container detection method and apparatus that does not take up space and has high processing capacity for inspection. Is an issue.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, the above-described problem is that in the present invention, a plurality of leak detection devices are provided in series on an inspection line including a single barrel container conveyance line, and the plurality of detection devices are arranged in parallel. The inspection ability is increased by controlling to operate.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the process of filling the pressurized gas, and the ultrasonic wave generated when the container filled with the pressurized gas is brought to the detection position and the container is accommodated in the sound insulation device and the gas leaks are generated. Based on the detection result, the step of detecting the presence or absence of gas leak by detecting, the container discharging step of discharging the container released from the sound insulation device after the end of detection of leakage from the detection position, and the discharged container In the container leakage detection method constituted by the sorting step of sorting the containers determined to be defective,
A plurality of pressurized gas filling means each having a sensor for detecting presence / absence and passage of a container to be transported and a stopper for stopping or releasing the movement of the transported container in series on the transport path of the container; Leakage detection means comprising a plurality of sound insulation devices, conveyance means for conveying the container on the conveyance path, and the stopper, the conveyance means, and the pressurized gas filling step based on the detection signal of the sensor And a step of detecting a gas leak, and a control device for controlling the distribution step,
A container filled with pressurized gas is sequentially transported to the plurality of leak detection means, accommodated in a sound insulation device, and then leaked first by the sensor of the leak detection means arranged in series. From the means, the presence or absence of the container is detected in sequence, the leak detection device whose presence is confirmed is operated, and the detection process is executed in parallel, and all of the detection processes by the plurality of leak detection means are performed. After completion, the container is discharged and the container waiting for completion of gas filling in synchronization with the discharge operation is carried into the detection position,
In the step of sequentially transporting the container filled with the pressurized gas to the plurality of leak detection means, when a sensor provided in the detection means immediately preceding the first leak detection means detects passage of the container Each of the stoppers is operated.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the container leak detection method according to the first aspect, the step of detecting the presence or absence of the leak of the container is performed by accommodating the container in the sound insulation device and blocking noise from the surroundings, This is executed by detecting the accompanying ultrasonic waves with an acoustic sensor.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the container leak detection method according to the second aspect, when the sound wave sensor detects a gas leak, the container is again inspected for a gas leak.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for filling a pressurized gas, and an ultrasonic wave generated when a container filled with the pressurized gas is brought into a detection position and the container is accommodated in a sound insulation device and gas leaks. A gas leakage detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage by detecting, a container discharging means for discharging the container released from the sound insulation device after the detection of the presence or absence of leakage from the detection position, and the detection of the discharged container In the container leak detection device configured with the sorting means that sorts the container determined to be a defective container based on the result,
A plurality of pressurized gas filling means each having a sensor for detecting presence / absence and passage of a container to be transported and a stopper for stopping or releasing the movement of the transported container in series on the transport path of the container; Leakage detection means comprising a plurality of sound insulation devices, conveyance means for conveying the container on the conveyance path, and the stopper, the conveyance means, and the pressurized gas filling step based on the detection signal of the sensor And a step of detecting a gas leak, and a control device for controlling the distribution step,
A container filled with pressurized gas is sequentially transported to the plurality of leak detection means, accommodated in a sound insulation device, and then leaked first by the sensor of the leak detection means arranged in series. From the means, the presence or absence of the container is detected in sequence, the leak detection device whose presence is confirmed is operated, and the detection process is executed in parallel, and all of the detection processes by the plurality of leak detection means are performed. After completion, the container is discharged and the container waiting for completion of gas filling in synchronization with the discharge operation is carried into the detection position,
In the step of sequentially transporting the container filled with the pressurized gas to the plurality of leak detection means, when a sensor provided in the detection means immediately preceding the first leak detection means detects passage of the container Each stopper is operated .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a leak container detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a front view.
The leak container detection apparatus of the present embodiment includes four stations, and is configured from a standby station 1, a pressurization station 2, an inspection station 3, and a discharge station 4 in order from the carry-in side of the barrel container 100. .
[0016]
The standby station 1 is for waiting to enter the pressurizing process in the next pressurizing station 2, and is a place where the barrel container is kept waiting until the pressurizing devices 21 to 23 of the pressurizing station are vacant. It is. A common conveyor 10 is provided for the standby station 1 and the pressurizing station for the next process, and a stopper 11 is provided in the vicinity of the conveyor of the standby station. By operating this stopper 11, the conveyor 10 is conveyed. The barrel container 100 to be used can be appropriately stopped for a necessary time.
[0017]
The pressurizing station 2 is a station for injecting pressurized gas into the barrel container as a preparatory stage for leak inspection, and includes three pressurizing devices 21, 22, 23 in series on the transport path of the conveyor 10. ing. As shown in FIG. 1B, each pressurizing device 21 * (* is marked as representative of 21 to 23) adds a container pressing device 24 above the conveyor 10 and a lower portion of the conveyor 10. A pressurized gas filling device 25 is provided. The container pressing device 24 holds and holds the barrel container 100 introduced with the mouth part downward by a pressing plate 24b driven by a cylinder 24a. The gas filling device 25 is for filling the barrel container 100 with a pressurized gas, and includes a nozzle and a gas source that can rise toward a container port positioned downward.
[0018]
The inspection station 3 on the downstream side of the pressurizing station includes three leak inspection devices 31, 32, and 33 arranged in series. Each leak detection device 31 * is the same in principle as the leak detection device described in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, and has a sound insulation device including a sound wave sensor. Each leak detection device 31 * includes a conveyor 30. The leak detection device 31 * also includes a sound insulation device 35 above. The sound insulation device 35 is supported by the gantry 34 and can be moved up and down by a drive means 35a. As shown in FIG. 2, the sound insulation device 35 has a box-like structure, and includes a wall portion 35 a made of stainless steel inside and outside and a sound insulation material 35 b inside, and a plurality of sound wave sensors 36 are attached to the wall portion. Yes. Each leak detection device 31 * is also provided with a sound insulation table 37 at the same level as the conveyor 31a. The barrel container 100 that has been carried in is accommodated inside, and a sound insulation space is created by the sound insulation device 35 and the sound insulation table 37. Try to form.
[0019]
The evacuation station 4 located downstream of the inspection station 3 distributes a normal barrel container and a barrel container in which leakage has been detected to a regular conveyance path 42 and a defective article conveyance path 43 based on the inspection result in the inspection station 3. have.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a barrel container transport system of the leak container detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In the vicinity of the conveyor 10 provided in the standby station 1 and the pressurizing station 2, a stopper 11 is provided in the standby station 1, and a presser 21, 22, 23 of the pressurizing station 2 is provided with a stopper 21 a, 22a and 23a are provided, and the movement of the barrel container 100 is controlled at each position. Each pressurization station 21, 22 and 23 is provided with sensors 21b, 22b and 23c, respectively, and the presence or absence of a barrel container in each pressurization device 21 * and the barrel container passing therethrough are determined. I try to detect it.
[0020]
Stoppers 31a, 32a, 33a are provided in the vicinity of the conveyors 30 of the leak detection devices 31, 32, 33 of the inspection station 3 to control the movement of the barrel containers in the respective leak detection devices, and sensors 31b, 32b, 33b is provided so that the presence or absence of a barrel container in each detector and the barrel container passing therethrough can be detected.
The conveyor 10 provided in the standby station 1 and the pressurizing station is always driven in the operating state, and the conveyors 30 and 40 of the inspection station 3 and the discharge station 4 are stopped at the time of leak inspection.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the leak container detection device in the present embodiment. The leak container detection devices in this embodiment are all automatically operated by the control device 5, and the barrel containers are transported and the pressurization devices 21, 22, 23 in the pressurization station 2 and the leaks in the inspection station 3. The operation of the detection devices 31, 32, 33 and the operation of the sorting device 41 in the evacuation station 4 are all controlled by the control device 5. The control device 5 receives detection signals from the sensors 21b, 22b, 23b, 31b, 32b, and 33b for detecting the presence of the barrel container 100. Based on the passing information, the stoppers 11, 21b, 31b, etc. of the stations 1, 2, 3 are turned on / off, or the conveyor 30 is turned on / off, etc. The operation is controlled.
[0022]
For example, in the pressurizing station 3, when the barrel container 100 is carried into each pressurizing device 21 and the movement of the barrel container is stopped by the stopper 21a, the control device 5 causes the container pressing device 24 of the corresponding pressurizing device 21 or The gas filling device 25 is activated. In the inspection station 3, for example, when it is confirmed that the barrel container 100 is carried into the leak detection device 31, the conveyor 30 is stopped, the sound insulation device 35 is lowered, and the barrel container is accommodated therein. Then, it is installed on the sound insulation table 36. Thereafter, after detecting the detection signal from the sound wave sensor 36 for a predetermined time, the sound insulation device 35 is raised, and the inspection is finished.
[0023]
Further, in the evacuation station 4, the sorting device 41 is operated for the barrel container in which leakage is detected by the leakage detection device, and is discharged to the defective product conveyance path 42.
As described above, the leak container detection device of the present embodiment includes the three leak detection devices 31, 32, 33 arranged in series. In operation, the three leak detection devices are provided. It controls so that 31, 32, and 33 may be operated in parallel as a group of groups. Next, the operation flow of the leak container detection apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
First, in the initial state (step S200), it is inspected whether or not the leakage container detection device is in the operation mode (S202). When the apparatus is in an operating state, the barrel container 100 to be inspected is pressurized in the pressurizing station 2 from the standby station 1, and the barrel containers filled with pressurized gas are sequentially transferred to the inspection station 3. It is in a state to come.
[0025]
The barrel container 100 carried into the inspection station 3 at equal intervals from the pressurizing station 2 detects the barrel containers passing therethrough by the sensors 31b, 32b, 33b of the leak detection devices 31-33. When the barrel container 100 passes through the leak detection device 32, the control device 5 operates 31a to 33a of each of the leak detection devices 31 to 33 almost simultaneously, whereby the barrel container 100 detects the detection position of each leak detection device. To be stopped. When the barrel container 100 stops, the stoppers 31a to 33a are turned off. The reason why the stopper is actuated early is that there is a slight time lag after the sensor 32 detects the barrel container that passes through until the stopper is actuated and the barrel container can be stopped at the detection position.
[0026]
When the barrel container is carried into the first to third leak detection devices 31, 32, 33, each leak detection device starts an inspection (S200 to S214).
When it is confirmed that all of the first, second, and third leak detection devices 31, 32, and 33 have been inspected (S216), the carry-out flag of the barrel container 100 stagnating in each leak detection device is set. It is set (S218) and each barrel container is carried out. When the sensor 33b of the third leak detection device 33 confirms by counting that the barrel container 100 inspected by the second and first leak detection devices 32 and 31 has been discharged (S222), the barrel The discharge flag of the container is reset and returns to the initial state (S224).
[0027]
The barrel containers discharged after the inspection are distributed to the regular transfer system 42 or the defective transfer system 43 and discharged at the discharge station 4 according to the inspection result.
Next, the contents of the operations performed by the first to third leak detection devices 31 to 33 in the present embodiment will be described based on the operation flow diagram of FIG. 6 as the operations of the n-th inspection device. First, in FIG. 6A, an inspection preparation process is executed from the initial state (S300) (S302). Here, FIG. 6B shows a subroutine of the inspection preparation process. First, the stopper is turned on, a predetermined time t has elapsed, the conveyor is turned off, and the stopper is turned off after the predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, the inspection preparation process 302 ends.
[0028]
After the completion of the inspection preparation process, the sound insulation device 35 is lowered and it is confirmed that the lowering is completed (S304). When the sound insulation device is confirmed to descend, the first inspection process is started (S308). Here, FIG. 6C shows a subroutine of the inspection process. In the inspection, first, the timer TM is started and the detection signal of the sound wave sensor is monitored. It is inspected whether a predetermined level of ultrasonic waves is detected continuously for a predetermined time (250 sec in this embodiment). After the set time has elapsed (S414), the inspection is determined based on the result of S412 (S416). That is, when a predetermined level of ultrasonic waves is continuously observed for 250 seconds, the barrel is determined as a defective product (NG).
[0029]
In the inspection process of the present embodiment, when a defective product (NG) is detected in the first inspection process (S308), the second inspection process is started (S310). The second inspection step (S310) is also performed with the same content as the first inspection step. When it is determined as a defective product also in the second inspection process, the barrel container is finally determined as a defective product for the first time (S314), and the inspection process is terminated (S316).
[0030]
In the leak container detection device of the present embodiment, three leak detection devices are arranged in series, and the three leak detection devices are handled and controlled as a group. Among these, if a defective product is detected in any one of the units in the first inspection step, the barrel container remaining in the other leakage inspection apparatus is not carried out until the second inspection is completed.
[0031]
As described above, in the leak container detection device according to the present embodiment, since the three leak detection devices are arranged in series and the inspection process is performed in parallel with the three, the inspection line is In spite of being one, it is possible to increase the inspection processing capacity without complicating the control of the conveyance of the barrel container to be inspected.
Also, in the inspection process, once the ultrasonic inspection standard is observed, the barrel is immediately determined as a defective product without immediately determining the barrel as a defective product. As a result, the probability of erroneous determination can be made extremely low.
[0032]
In the above-described embodiment, the pressurization station and the inspection station are each provided with three pressurization devices and a leak detection device arranged in series. That is all you need.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of leak detection devices are arranged in series, and the inspection process is performed in such a manner that each leak detection device is performed in parallel. Nevertheless, the inspection processing capability can be increased without complicating the control of the conveyance of the barrel container to be inspected.
[0034]
Also, in the inspection process, once the ultrasonic inspection standard is observed, the barrel is immediately determined as a defective product without immediately determining the barrel as a defective product. As a result, the probability of erroneous determination can be made extremely low.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a leak container detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows a plan view and (b) shows a front view.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a sound insulation device of a leak detection device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a barrel container transport system of the leak container detection device.
FIG. 4 is a block explanatory diagram of a control device of the leak container detection device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an inspection flow in an inspection station.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the leak detection device.
FIG. 7 is an external view of a barrel container for beer as an inspection target.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating details of the mouth portion of the barrel container.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a leak detection apparatus using a conventional ultrasonic sensor.
FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram for processing a detected signal from a sound wave sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Standby station 2 Pressurization station 21-23 Pressurization apparatus 3 Inspection station 31-33 Leak detection apparatus 35 Sound insulation apparatus 36 Sonic sensor 10, 30 Conveyor 4 Exhaust station 41 Exhaust station

Claims (4)

The process of filling the pressurized gas, and bringing the container filled with the pressurized gas to the detection position, storing the container in the sound insulation device, and detecting the ultrasonic waves generated by the gas leakage, thereby preventing the gas leakage. A step of detecting presence / absence, a container discharging step of discharging a container released from the sound insulation device after completion of detection of leakage from a detection position, and a container in which the discharged container is determined as a defective container based on the detection result In the container leak detection method composed of the sorting step and the sorting step,
A plurality of pressurized gas filling means each having a sensor for detecting presence / absence and passage of a container to be transported and a stopper for stopping or releasing the movement of the transported container in series on the transport path of the container; Leakage detection means comprising a plurality of sound insulation devices, conveyance means for conveying the container on the conveyance path, and the stopper, the conveyance means, and the pressurized gas filling step based on the detection signal of the sensor And a step of detecting a gas leak, and a control device for controlling the distribution step,
A container filled with pressurized gas is sequentially transported to the plurality of leak detection means, accommodated in a sound insulation device, and then leaked first by the sensor of the leak detection means arranged in series. From the means, the presence or absence of the container is detected in sequence, the leak detection device whose presence is confirmed is operated, and the detection process is executed in parallel, and all of the detection processes by the plurality of leak detection means are performed. After completion, the container is discharged and the container waiting for completion of gas filling in synchronization with the discharge operation is carried into the detection position,
In the step of sequentially transporting the container filled with the pressurized gas to the plurality of leak detection means, when a sensor provided in the detection means immediately preceding the first leak detection means detects passage of the container The container leak detection method characterized by operating each stopper.   2. The container leak detection method according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the presence or absence of a container leak includes accommodating the container in a sound insulation device, blocking noise from the surroundings, and then generating an ultrasonic wave generated along with the gas leak. A container leak detection method executed by detecting with an acoustic sensor.   3. The leak detection method according to claim 2, wherein when the acoustic wave sensor detects gas leak, the leak test is performed again on the vessel. The means for filling the pressurized gas and the container filled with the pressurized gas are brought to the detection position, the container is accommodated in the sound insulation device, and the ultrasonic wave generated by the gas leakage is detected. A gas leakage detection means for detecting presence / absence; a container discharge means for discharging a container released from the sound insulation device after detection of the presence / absence of leakage from a detection position; and a defective container based on the detection result. In the container leak detection device configured with the sorting means for sorting the determined containers,
A plurality of pressurized gas filling means each having a sensor for detecting presence / absence and passage of a container to be transported and a stopper for stopping or releasing the movement of the transported container in series on the transport path of the container; Leakage detection means comprising a plurality of sound insulation devices, conveyance means for conveying the container on the conveyance path, and the stopper, the conveyance means, and the pressurized gas filling step based on the detection signal of the sensor And a step of detecting a gas leak, and a control device for controlling the distribution step,
A container filled with pressurized gas is sequentially transported to the plurality of leak detection means, accommodated in a sound insulation device, and then leaked first by the sensor of the leak detection means arranged in series. From the means, the presence or absence of the container is detected in sequence, the leak detection device whose presence is confirmed is operated, and the detection process is executed in parallel, and all of the detection processes by the plurality of leak detection means are performed. After completion, the container is discharged and the container waiting for completion of gas filling in synchronization with the discharge operation is carried into the detection position,
In the step of sequentially transporting the container filled with the pressurized gas to the plurality of leak detection means, when a sensor provided in the detection means immediately preceding the first leak detection means detects passage of the container A container leak detection device characterized in that each stopper is operated .

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