JP3908048B2 - X-ray inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for safety regarding various products, and in particular, products such as raw meat and processed foods need to prevent foreign matters such as bone fragments and needles from entering. Therefore, for example, an X-ray inspection apparatus for inspecting foreign matter using X-rays as disclosed in JP-A-11-194104 has been put into practical use.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 8, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 </ b> A irradiates the product M transported by the transport conveyor 80 with X-rays L from the X-ray source 10, and detects the X-rays L transmitted through the product M as an X-ray detector. (Line sensor) 11 is made incident and foreign matter inspection is performed by processing the output from the X-ray detector 11 with a computer.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional X-ray inspection apparatus 1A, for example, when a highly viscous product such as raw meat or minced is placed directly on the conveyor and conveyed, the conveyor 80 is moved from the casing 85 of the apparatus. Is also provided so as to protrude left and right, thereby facilitating the transfer of the product M to the upstream and downstream conveyors 50 and 51 (not shown).
[0005]
When performing cleaning and maintenance of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1A, first, the tension roller 82 provided at one end of the conveyor 80 is moved inward as indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the conveyor belt B is removed. Next, the conveyor 80 is rotated around the vertical axis to be inclined, and then the conveyor 80 is pulled out.
[0006]
In this prior art, since it is necessary to rotate and move the big conveyor 80 etc., it takes time to prepare for cleaning and maintenance.
Further, since the tension roller 82 is moved inward, the conveyor 80 is shortened, and a part of the product M1 placed on the end of the conveyor 80 may fall on the floor or the like, and the cleaning work is further complicated. Become.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus that is easy to clean and maintain.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention irradiates a product conveyed on a belt conveyor with X-rays from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the product. In the X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the product by being incident on a measuring instrument, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are provided in a housing of the X-ray detection apparatus including an X-ray shield box, The belt conveyor is provided such that an endless conveying belt is stretched between rollers at both ends, and an axial center of the roller at the end rotates around a predetermined rotation center. The conveyor belt can be removed from the rollers by rotating the roller at the end part upwardly about the center of rotation. Like The X-ray detector is provided in the inner space of the endless conveyor belt loop, and the X-ray detector is incorporated in the inner space of the endless conveyor belt loop. The member provided in the is characterized by supporting the conveyor belt .
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the belt can be attached and detached without dropping the product on the belt by flipping the rollers at both ends upward and rotating them. Therefore, it is hygienic and the belt can be easily cleaned.
[0010]
In the present invention, “product” includes vegetables and packaged foods in addition to soft and easily damaged products such as raw meat and mince and viscous products.
The “inspection” includes foreign matter inspection for detecting foreign matter such as needles and metal pieces, in addition to inspection for determining whether the product is acceptable.
[0011]
The present first invention, wherein since arranging the X-ray detector inward space of the endless belt loop, compared to the case of arranging the X-ray detector outside of the loop of the belt, the belt Since the attenuation of X-rays due to passing through the light becomes small, the detection sensitivity can be increased.
[0012]
Further, by providing the driving roller at a lower position, even if the driving roller is enlarged, the rollers at both ends of the belt can be reduced, so that the product can be smoothly connected. Furthermore, the driving roller diameter can be increased regardless of the connection of products, so that driving is ensured.
[ 0013 ]
Further, after removal of the belt, immediately maintenance becomes easier if such removal of the conveyor frame upwards.
[ 0014 ]
Moreover, further comprising a base for supporting the frame support portion, by providing the support portion can be pulled out in the width direction of the belt with respect to the base, maintenance of the conveyor frame is much easier.
[ 0015 ]
A tension roller disposed in a space outside the loop of the belt and pressed against the conveying surface of the belt; and a roller support portion that rotatably supports the tension roller from below, the tension roller being the roller If the support portion is provided so as to be removable upward, the tension roller can be easily cleaned.
[ 0016 ]
On the other hand, the X-ray inspection apparatus of the second invention irradiates the product conveyed on the belt conveyor with X-rays from the X-ray source, and causes the X-ray transmitted through the product to enter the X-ray detector, In the X-ray inspection apparatus for inspecting the product, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are provided in a housing of the X-ray detection apparatus including an X-ray shield box, and the belt conveyor is endless. The conveyor belt is stretched around the rollers at both ends, and a rotating portion is provided in which the axis of the roller at the end rotates around a predetermined rotation center. It is provided so as to protrude left and right from the mouth and the outlet, respectively, and is set so that the conveyor belt can be removed from the roller by flipping the roller at the end upward and rotating around the rotation center. Each The axis of over la provided in a central position relative and below the rotating portion, and said center of rotation, characterized in that it is provided at a position eccentric upwards to and below the rotating portion.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an X-ray inspection apparatus 1 provided on a product conveyance line has a housing 1S composed of an X-ray shield box provided with a product entrance 1a and a product exit 1b on both sides. is doing. A conveyor 20 is disposed in the housing 1S. The product M conveyed by the upstream conveyor 50 is transferred to the conveyor 20 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 and then carried into the housing 1S from the carry-in entrance 1a by the conveyor 20. Thereafter, after the X-ray inspection described later, the product M is carried out of the housing 1S from the carry-out port 1b and transferred to the downstream conveyor 51.
[0018]
An optical system including an X-ray source 10 and an X-ray detector 11 is provided in the housing 1S. The X-ray source 10 generates X-rays L and irradiates the X-rays L toward the X-ray detector 11. The X-ray detector 11 includes a line sensor in which a large number of pixels are arranged in a line in the width direction of the conveyor. A computer (not shown) is connected to the X-ray detector 11. The computer inspects the product M by capturing and processing the output from the X-ray detector 11 at a predetermined timing and creating an image having a light-dark distribution corresponding to the amount of transmitted X-rays.
In addition, a sorting device (not shown) is provided downstream of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 to line out defective products. If the inspection determines that the product is defective, Line-out is performed by the sorting device.
[0019]
Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the conveyor 20 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 20 includes rollers 21 at both ends on which an endless belt B is stretched, a driving roller 23 and a tension roller 22 described later. The rollers 21 at both ends are provided so as to protrude right and left from the carry-in port 1a and the carry-out port 1b of the product M in the housing 1S.
[0020]
The conveyor 20 has a conveyor frame 30, and both ends of the frame 30 constitute rotating parts 31. The rotating part 31 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation center (hinge) O. The rollers 21 at both ends are rotatably attached to the end of the rotating unit 31. Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line, the axis a of the rollers 21 at both ends can be rotated around the rotation center O by rotating the rotation unit 31. That is, the roller 21 can be lifted upward.
[0021]
The rotating unit 31 is provided with a stopper (not shown). When the rotating unit 31 is rotated in the reverse direction and the rollers 21 at both ends are lowered, the stopper rotates around the upper surface level of the frame 30. It is set so that it stops at a position where the level of the upper surface of the moving part 31 substantially matches.
[0022]
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 30 is supported by a frame support portion 32 as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, a slider 33 is fixed to the lower portion of the support portion 32, and the slider 33 is slidable with respect to the rail 34. The rail 34 is fixed to both ends of a base 35 fixed to the housing 1S.
[0023]
When the slider 33 is fitted and slid into the sliding groove 36 and the step portion 37 of the rail 34, the support portion 32 and the frame 30 shown in FIG. 3 are moved in the width direction W of the belt B with respect to the base 35. Slide. Therefore, the frame 30 can be pulled out of the housing 1S from the maintenance opening 1c provided on the side surface of the housing 1S.
An X-ray detector 11 is built in the base 35.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 30, the base 35, the drive roller 23, and the like are arranged in the space S inside the loop of the belt B. The X-ray L irradiated from the X-ray source 10 (FIG. 1) passes through the belt B above the X-ray detector 11 and then enters the X-ray detector 11.
[0025]
The driving roller 23 is rotatably supported by a fixing portion 26 (FIG. 5) fixed to the lower portion of the base 35, and is rotated by a driving device (not shown). As will be described later, the driving roller 23 is in contact with the inner surface of the belt B, and the belt B is driven by the rotation of the driving roller 23.
[0026]
In the space outside the belt B, a pair of tension rollers 22 pressed against the conveying surface of the belt B are provided. The tension roller 22 is rotatably supported by a roller support portion 25 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, at one end of the roller support portion 25 in the width direction W, there is provided a fixture 27 that engages both the base 35 and the roller support portion 25 and fixes them together. On the other hand, a wheel 28 shown in FIG. 3 is provided at the other end of the roller support portion 25. A mounting table 38 is fixed in the housing 1S, and the roller support portion 25 is fixed to the base 35 by the fixing tool 27 in a state where the wheel 28 has moved to the back of the mounting table 38, whereby FIG. The tension roller 22 is pressed against the conveying surface (outer surface) of the belt B. Due to the tension of the belt B, the inner surface of the belt is pressed against the driving roller 23 and the belt B is driven.
[0027]
Meanwhile, the frame 30 shown in FIG. 4 is placed on the support portion 32 and can be removed upward with respect to the support portion 32 as indicated by a two-dot chain line. On the lower surface of the frame 30, there is provided an engaging protrusion 40 that engages with the upper portion of the support portion 32 and locks the frame 30 in the conveyance direction X of the product M. On the other hand, at both ends of the support portion 32, hook portions 41 that engage with both side surfaces of the frame 30 and lock the frame 30 in the width direction W of the belt B are provided.
Here, as described above, when the tension roller 22 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed against the conveying surface of the belt B, the upper frame 30 is pressed against the lower support portion 32 by the tension of the belt B, and the frame 30 is prevented from being lifted from the support portion 32, and the frame 30 is fixed to the support portion 32.
[0028]
As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, during maintenance, the fixing of the fixing tool 27 is released and the end of the roller support 25 is lowered, and then the wheel 28 is rolled on the mounting table 38. The roller support portion 25 can be pulled out from the maintenance opening 1c. As shown in FIG. 5, the tension roller 22 can be removed upward with respect to the roller support portion 25.
[0029]
Next, a cleaning and maintenance method for the conveyor 20 will be briefly described.
First, the fixing by the fixing tool 27 shown in FIG. 6A is released, and one end of the roller support portion 25 is lowered as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, the tension roller 22 is separated from the driving roller 23 by the lowering of the roller support portion 25 and the belt B is loosened. Thereafter, the rotating unit 31 is rotated to raise the rollers 21 at both ends upward.
At this time, when the product M is placed on the belt B, the product above the rotating unit 31 moves toward the frame 30 side by flipping up the rollers 21 at both ends. There is no risk of the product on B falling on the floor.
[0030]
After the flip-up, as shown in FIG. 7A, the roller support portion 25 is pulled out of the housing 1S from the maintenance opening 1c. After the drawing, the tension roller 22 is removed upward as shown in FIG.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the support portion 32 is pulled out along the rail 34 and the frame 30 is pulled out from the maintenance opening 1c to the outside of the housing 1S. After the frame 30 is pulled out, the belt B is removed.
After the removal, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame 30 is lifted upward and removed from the support portion 32.
Thus, since movable parts, such as belt B, frame 30, and drive roller 23, can be removed easily, maintenance and cleaning are significantly facilitated.
[0031]
As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand various changes and modifications within the obvious scope by looking at the present specification.
For example, in the above embodiment, one set of the optical system including the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is used, but a plurality of sets of the optical system may be provided.
Accordingly, such changes and modifications are to be construed as within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the belt can be attached and detached without dropping the product on the belt by flipping the rollers at both ends upward and rotating them. Therefore, it is hygienic and the belt can be easily cleaned.
[0033]
Further, if the conveyor frame is fixed to the frame support portion by the tension of the belt, the conveyor frame can be immediately removed upward by removing the belt, so that the maintenance is remarkably facilitated. Further, since the conveyor frame is fixed to the frame support portion by the belt tension, the number of parts for fixing can be reduced, and the number of parts is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view, partly in section, showing the main part of the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view, partly in section, showing the main part of the apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of the apparatus in a state in which a frame support part is pulled out.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of the apparatus in a state in which a roller support portion is pulled out.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a cleaning and maintenance method of the apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a cleaning and maintenance method of the apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a conventional X-ray inspection apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a: carry-in port 1b: carry-out port 1c: opening 1S: housing 10: X-ray source
11: X-ray detector 20: Belt conveyor 21: Rollers at both ends 22: Tension roller 23: Drive roller 25: Roller support section 30: Conveyor frame 32: Frame support section 35: Base (member incorporating the X-ray detector)
a: Axis B: Conveyor belt M: Product L: X-ray O: Center of rotation

Claims (3)

In the X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the product by irradiating the product conveyed on the belt conveyor with X-rays from the X-ray source, causing the X-ray transmitted through the product to enter the X-ray detector,
The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are provided in a housing of the X-ray detection device including an X-ray shield box,
The belt conveyor is provided such that an endless conveyance belt is stretched between rollers at both ends, and an axis of the roller at the end rotates around a predetermined rotation center,
The rollers at both ends are respectively provided so as to protrude right and left from the product inlet and outlet of the housing,
The roller at the end is set up so that the conveyor belt can be removed from the roller by flipping up and rotating around the rotation center.
The X-ray detector is provided in the inner space of the loop of the endless conveyor belt;
An X-ray inspection apparatus in which the X-ray detector is incorporated and a member provided in an inner space of the loop of the transport belt supports the transport belt. Oite to claim 1,
An X-ray inspection apparatus, wherein a driving roller for driving the transport belt is provided at a position below the X-ray detector in the inner space. In the X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the product by irradiating the product conveyed on the belt conveyor with X-rays from the X-ray source, causing the X-ray transmitted through the product to enter the X-ray detector,
The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are provided in a housing of the X-ray detection device including an X-ray shield box,
In the belt conveyor, an endless conveyance belt is stretched between rollers at both ends, and a rotating portion in which an axis of the roller at the end rotates around a predetermined rotation center is provided,
The rollers at both ends are respectively provided so as to protrude right and left from the product inlet and outlet of the housing,
The roller at the end is set up so that the conveyor belt can be removed from the roller by flipping up and rotating around the rotation center.
The X-ray inspection apparatus in which the shaft center of each roller is provided at a central position with respect to the top and bottom of the rotating unit, and the center of rotation is provided at a position offset upward with respect to the top and bottom of the rotating unit.

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