JP3867209B2 - X-ray inspection system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign substance inspection apparatus that detects a foreign substance in an inspection object using X-rays, and more particularly to a support frame of the foreign substance inspection apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, foreign matter detection using an X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus has been performed in various fields including raw meat and processed foods. Foreign matter inspection using X-rays is performed by irradiating an inspection object from an X-ray source and inspecting the foreign object contained in the inspection object by a transmission image obtained from transmitted X-rays transmitted through the inspection object. Is what you do. Thus, foreign substances (metal, bone, wood, synthetic resin, etc.) in raw meat and processed foods and foreign substances contained in pharmaceutical products are inspected, and the object to be inspected containing foreign substances is removed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of a conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus. In FIG. 4, the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus irradiates X-rays from an X-ray generator 102 onto an object to be inspected (not shown) conveyed by a conveyance mechanism 103 having a conveyor belt or the like and transmits X A line is detected by an X-ray detector 104 such as a line sensor, and image processing is performed by the X-ray imaging control unit 106a and the X-ray image processing unit 106b, thereby performing a foreign object inspection in the inspection object. The X-ray generator 102 having the X-ray tube 101 inside has cooling fins on the outside and can be accommodated in a cooling device. Further, the X-ray generator 102 is covered with a shielding cover 105 in which a lead plate is attached, thereby shielding X-rays leaking from the X-ray generator 102.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventionally used transport mechanism and shielding mechanism. In the mechanism shown in FIG. 5A, an object to be inspected is transported using a horizontal transport type transport mechanism 103a, and leakage X-rays are shielded using a shielding material 106a provided with a lead rubber collar. Transmitted X-rays that have passed through an object to be inspected (not shown) are detected by an X-ray detector 104 disposed between the belts.

  In the mechanism shown in FIG. 5B, the object to be inspected is transported using an inclined transport type transport mechanism 103b, and leakage X-rays are shielded using a shielding material 106b having an inclined portion. Transmitted X-rays that have passed through an object to be inspected (not shown) are detected by an X-ray detector 104 disposed between the belts.

  In FIG. 5, the transport belt is supported by rollers 131 and 132 and support rollers 135a and 135b.

The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is configured to support each mechanism by a plurality of support legs. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a support structure of a conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus. In FIG. 6, a cover 105 having an X-ray generation supply 102 therein, a transport mechanism 103, a cover 106 covering the transport mechanism 103, and an inspection mechanism such as an X-ray detector (not shown) are supported by a plurality of support legs 101. Is done. Such a conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is described in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP-A-9-250992

  In the conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, since the inspection mechanism is supported by a plurality of support legs 101, maintenance such as repair of the mechanism provided in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus and parts replacement is difficult. There is a problem.

  The transport mechanism, X-ray detector, etc. provided in the X-ray foreign substance inspection device are configured to be covered with a cover that also serves as an X-ray shield to prevent X-ray leakage and dust, and this component includes the cover. The support leg 101 is supported. Therefore, it is necessary to disassemble and remove the cover in order to perform maintenance such as repair, cleaning, replacement of parts, etc. of the conveyor belt and the X-ray detector, and even when the cover is removed, the support legs Maintenance of the shadowed part is difficult, and the tool or the exchange tool interferes with the support leg, making insertion difficult.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus described above and to provide a foreign substance inspection apparatus that can be easily maintained.

  The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus according to the present invention eliminates the conventional support legs that support the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, thereby repairing, cleaning, or replacing parts of the conveyor belt and the X-ray detector. Maintenance is facilitated.

  In order to realize the above-described configuration, the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention is an X-ray foreign matter inspection device that performs foreign matter inspection of an object to be inspected with X-rays. One end is a free end and the other end is A cantilever frame serving as a support end is provided, and the cantilever frame supports a transport mechanism that moves the inspection object and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays transmitted through the inspection object.

  By adopting a cantilevered frame structure in the present invention, it is possible to have a structure in which there are no supporting leg members on the side surface and bottom surface of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, and the tool does not interfere with the supporting legs. And replacement parts can be inserted into the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus, and maintenance such as repairing, cleaning, or part replacement of the transport belt and X-ray detector can be easily performed.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the cantilever frame can be configured to include a vertical support portion standing vertically on the base portion, and a horizontal support portion extending laterally from the vertical support portion, The horizontal support portion is a support portion that supports a mechanism such as a transport mechanism that moves an object to be inspected, and the vertical support portion is a horizontal support portion and a mechanism that supports the horizontal support portion on one end thereof. It is a support part supported by.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cover covering the mechanism supported by the cantilever frame can be opened and closed, and the side and bottom of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus are opened by opening the cover. State. By using the cantilever frame, the side direction and bottom direction of the X-ray foreign substance inspection device are opened, so that tools and parts can be easily inserted without being interfered with the legs, and maintenance operations can be performed. It can be carried out.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cantilever frame includes a support portion that supports the X-ray generator, and integrally supports components such as the X-ray generator, the transport mechanism, and the X-ray detector. Can do. Further, the X-ray generator may be supported by a second cantilever frame different from the first cantilever frame that supports the transport mechanism and the X-ray detector.
In addition, the vertical direction and horizontal direction of a vertical support part and a horizontal support part show the rough attachment direction of each support member, and do not limit an angle.

  According to the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, the maintenance of the inspection object transport mechanism, the X-ray detector, and the X-ray generation unit can be easily performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present invention. 1 and 2, an X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 includes an X-ray irradiation mechanism that generates X-rays and irradiates an inspection object (not shown in FIG. 1), a transport mechanism that moves the inspection object, An X-ray detection mechanism that detects transmitted X-rays and a detection mechanism that detects foreign matter in the inspection object based on the detected X-rays. In addition, the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 includes a frame 10 that supports the above mechanisms.

  The frame 10 includes a base portion 11 that constitutes a lowermost support portion, a vertical support portion 12 that stands on the base portion 11, and horizontal support portions 13 and 15 that are attached in a horizontal direction from the vertical support portion 12. The horizontal support portions 13 and 15 are attached to the vertical support portion 12 side so that one end thereof is fixed or movable, and the other end portion is a free end to constitute a cantilevered support frame. 1 and 2, the horizontal support portion 13 is fixed to the vertical support portion 12 side, and the L-shaped support portion 15 is attached to the vertical support portion 12 side so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Yes. Further, other mechanisms provided in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 can be supported by a horizontal support portion (not shown) attached to the vertical support portion 12 in a cantilever manner.

  The X-ray irradiation mechanism includes an X-ray generation unit 2 having an X-ray generation tube (not shown) therein, a hood 5 that covers the X-ray generation unit 2, and an inspection of X-rays generated by the X-ray generation unit 2 Various mechanisms such as a shutter (not shown) for controlling irradiation of an object and a slit (not shown) for forming X-rays in a bundle shape are provided.

  The X-ray generation unit 2 is disposed in a horizontal portion of the L-shaped L-shaped support unit 15. Further, the shutter and the slit (both not shown) can be provided in the horizontal portion of the L-shaped support portion 15, the bottom portion thereof, or a member connected to the horizontal portion. Moreover, the X-ray generation part 2 is covered with a shield member in which lead or the like is attached, thereby shielding leaked X-rays. The X-ray generator 2 can be air-cooled by a cooling fan (not shown).

  The hood 5 is an outer cover that covers the X-ray generator 2, and the L-shaped support 15 is attached to the vertical support 12 so as to be opened and closed. Since X-ray leakage from the X-ray generator 2 is shielded by the shield member described above, the hood 5 does not need to be internally attached with lead or the like, and can be used as a simple cover.

  The L-shaped support unit 15 is attached to the vertical support unit 12 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, thereby enabling adjustment of the distance between the X-ray generation unit 2 and the transport mechanism 3 and various sizes. It is possible to correspond to the inspection object. Note that the hood 5 can be opened and closed with respect to the vertical support portion 12 so that the X-ray generation portion 2 is exposed to facilitate replacement and repair of the X-ray generation tube.

  The transport mechanism 3 is a mechanism that moves the inspection object to a position where the X-ray bundle passes and irradiates the inspection object with X-rays. The endless belt 33 and first and second belts that rotatably support both ends of the belt 33 are provided. Two rollers 31 and 32 are provided, and the inspection object carried in from the carry-in port 36 is taken out from the carry-out port 37 after passing through the X-ray irradiation position. At least one of the first and second rollers 31 and 32 is connected to the drive unit 39 via the transmission mechanism 38. The drive part 39 rotates the belt 33 by rotating a roller, and conveys the inspection object placed on the belt 33.

  The detection mechanism also includes an X-ray detector 4 such as a line sensor that detects X-rays that have passed through the inspection object, and the detected transmission X-rays are image-processed by an X-ray imaging control unit or an X-ray image processing unit. Inspecting foreign matter in the inspection object. The X-ray detector 4 can be arranged between the belts 33 or below the belt 33. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, processing portions such as an X-ray imaging control unit and an X-ray image processing unit are omitted.

  The transport mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4 can be cantilevered on the vertical support portion 12 by the horizontal support portion 13. The drive unit 39 is attached to the belt conveyor by the support unit 14. The drive unit 39 can be cantilevered by the vertical support unit 12 by a horizontal support unit (not shown).

  The transport mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4 can be cantilevered on the vertical support portion 12 by separate horizontal support portions.

  Further, an X-ray imaging control unit, an X-ray image processing unit, a power supply device, and a control device (not shown) can also be installed on a horizontal support unit that is cantilevered. At this time, these components may be arranged on the opposite side of the vertical support portion 12 from the one-side conveyance mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4 so that the weight arrangement can be well balanced. 2 indicate examples of arrangement positions of the X-ray imaging control unit, the X-ray image processing unit, the power supply device, and the control device.

  1 and 2, the cover 6 covers the transport mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4 to prevent leakage X-rays and prevent dust. Leakage of X-rays can be prevented by providing a lead shield member in a portion where X-rays may leak. In the figure, the cover 6 includes a fixed cover 61 and an open / close cover 62, and the open / close cover 62 is attached to the fixed cover 61 by an open / close mechanism such as a hinge. The open / close cover 62 can open and close the side surface portion and the bottom surface portion of the cover 6.

  The open / close cover 62 is closed when X-ray inspection of foreign matter is performed, and is opened when maintenance such as cleaning and component replacement is performed. The closed state of the opening / closing cover 62 can be held by a fixing device (not shown). FIG. 1 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 62 is closed.

  Next, the maintenance operation of the X-ray particle inspection apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The perspective view 3 shown in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the open / close cover 62 is opened. The open / close cover 62 is a cover portion that opens the side surfaces and the bottom surface of the transport mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4, and is attached to the bottom surface or back surface portion of the cover 6 so as to be openable and closable by open / close means (not shown).

  After stopping the driving of the X-ray generator, the side and bottom portions of the transport mechanism 3 and the X-ray detector 4 can be exposed by opening the opening / closing cover 62, and tools and replacement parts for cleaning and repairing. Can be inserted inside. In the transport mechanism 3 shown in FIG. 3, the belt 33 is driven by a first roller 31 and a second roller 32 and is assembled from components such as a curved belt support plate 34 and a guide roller 35. An X-ray detector 4 is disposed between the belts 33. These transport mechanisms and X-ray detectors may be contaminated by the object to be inspected. In particular, when performing inspection of foreign matters such as raw meat and processed food, it is necessary to clean them. Further, the transport mechanism has a movable part, and it is necessary to repair and replace parts. Also, the X-ray detector needs to be repaired and replaced.

  When performing maintenance of these components, if a leg portion, a support column, or the like is present inside or at an open position of the opening / closing cover, it may interfere with tools and replacement parts, making it difficult to handle and insert. On the other hand, in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present invention, by adopting a configuration in which the conveyance mechanism and the X-ray detector are supported in a cantilever manner, a configuration in which legs and columns are removed on the open side of the opening and closing cover Therefore, insertion and handling of tools and replacement parts can be facilitated.

  In addition, the cover 6 can be divided into a side surface portion and a bottom surface portion, and can be opened and closed independently or in a connected state. Maintenance from the side surface side and the bottom surface side can be easily performed. Moreover, the open part of the open / close cover 62 can be determined according to the cleaning position or the repair position. In particular, in the bottom surface portion, the cantilever structure of the frame allows the lower portion of the transport mechanism and the X-ray detector to be opened, thus facilitating maintenance.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, by using the cantilever frame, the side direction and the bottom direction of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus are opened, so that the tools and parts are not easily interfered with the legs. Can be inserted into the main body and maintenance operations can be performed. Further, the cantilever frame can integrally support components such as an X-ray generation unit, a transport mechanism, and an X-ray detector.

It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the maintenance operation | movement of the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the structure of the conventional X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating the conveyance mechanism and shielding mechanism used conventionally. It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the support structure of the conventional X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus, 2 ... X-ray generation part, 3 ... Conveyance mechanism, 4 ... X-ray detector, 5 ... Hood, 6 ... Cover, 10 ... Frame, 11 ... Base, 12 ... Vertical support part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Horizontal support part, 14 ... Support part, 15 ... L-shaped support part, 31, 32 ... Roller, 33 ... Belt, 34 ... Belt support plate, 35 ... Guide roller, 36 ... Carry-in port, 37 ... Carry-out port, 38 ... Transmission unit, 39 ... Drive unit, 61 ... Fixing cover, 62 ... Opening / closing cover.

Claims (3)

  2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus that performs foreign matter inspection of an object to be inspected with X-rays includes a cantilever frame having one end as a free end and the other end as a support end. An X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object to be inspected and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays transmitted through the inspection object, and a cover that covers the transfer mechanism and the X-ray detector to prevent leakage X-rays, The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes an opening / closing portion that opens and closes a side surface and a bottom surface of the transport mechanism so as to be exposed on a free end side of the cantilever frame.   2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus that performs foreign matter inspection of an object to be inspected with X-rays includes a cantilever frame having one end as a free end and the other end as a support end. A X-ray detector that detects X-rays that have passed through the object to be inspected, and an X-ray generator that generates X-rays. An X-ray foreign substance inspection comprising: a cover covering an X-ray detector, wherein the cover includes an open / close portion that opens and closes a side surface and a bottom surface of the transport mechanism on the free end side of the cantilever frame. apparatus.   In an X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus that performs foreign matter inspection of an object to be inspected by X-rays, first and second pieces supported by one vertical support portion and having one end as a free end and the other end as a support end A holding frame that supports a transport mechanism that moves the object to be inspected by the first cantilever frame and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays transmitted through the object to be inspected; A cover for supporting the X-ray generator for generating a line and covering the transport mechanism and the X-ray detector to prevent leakage X-rays, the cover being on a free end side of the first cantilever frame An X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus comprising: an opening / closing portion that opens and closes a side surface and a bottom surface of the transport mechanism.

Images