JP4209380B2 - Foreign object detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign matter detection device that detects foreign matter in an object to be inspected that is transported by a transport pipe, and more particularly to a foreign matter detection device that includes an X-ray detection type or metal detection type detection means.

  X-ray detection type and metal detection type are known as foreign matter detection devices, and generally foreign matter detection is performed in the middle of the conveyor conveyance path. Some inspection objects or objects to be inspected mixed with a transport fluid such as water are transported through a transport pipe having a tubular transport path formed therein. In such a foreign matter detection device, for example, an X-ray foreign matter detection device, an X-ray is irradiated on an object to be inspected at a predetermined inspection position in the transport path, and the distribution of the transmitted X-ray dose at that time is grasped. The presence of a foreign object is detected from the distribution state of.

As a conventional foreign object detection apparatus of this type, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a one-dimensional multi-channel X-ray sensor composed of a plurality of X-ray detection elements as a means for detecting transmitted X-ray dose is substantially orthogonal to the conveyance path. The detection signal of each channel of the X-ray sensor during continuous conveyance of the inspection object is compared with the threshold value for detecting the foreign object, and the presence of the foreign object is detected with a required resolution. is there. Further, in this apparatus, when a foreign matter detection signal is output, the discharge valve is operated, and the inspection object including the foreign matter is discharged to the outside through the discharge valve.
Japanese Patent No. 2591171

  However, in the foreign matter detection device as described above, when checking or adjusting the foreign matter detection sensitivity (foreign matter detection accuracy) by the detection means, a feeding device that feeds the inspection object into the transport pipe, for example, the transport A sample of a defective product in which foreign matter is mixed and a test piece (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a test piece) are sucked into a suction port of a pump and the like and are put into a test.

  For this reason, especially when the transport distance from the foreign object detection device to the feeding device is long, it takes time from test piece insertion to foreign object detection. Not only did the distance and transport time become longer, but the test piece could get stuck in the transport path.

  Therefore, when it is necessary to check the foreign matter detection sensitivity and sorting discharge by passing the test piece through the transport path multiple times, it takes a long time to adjust the foreign matter detection device, for example, during maintenance or when changing the type of the inspection object. Especially, when the clogging occurs, there is a problem that the operation rate of the apparatus is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a foreign object detection device capable of performing detection sensitivity adjustment and selection confirmation work involving insertion of a test piece in a short time. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1) a transport pipe in which a transport path for transporting and transporting an object to be inspected, and transporting foreign matters contained in the object to be transported through the transport path. A foreign matter detection device comprising a foreign matter detection means for detecting at a predetermined inspection position in a direction, the inspection object is mounted on a transport pipe between a supply position at which the inspection object is supplied to the transport path and the inspection position, and A branch path that branches from the transport path upstream of the inspection position of the transport path from the transport path, and a branch pipe that forms an input port for feeding a predetermined test piece, and the branch path communicated with the transport path And a valve attached to the branch pipe so as to be shut off, and an urging means for urging the test piece introduced into the introduction port toward the conveyance path when the valve is opened. It is an feature.

  With this configuration, when the valve body of the valve is in the operating position when the valve is closed, the test piece is inserted into the inlet of the branch path, and when the valve body of the valve is opened, it is urged by the urging means. The test piece moves into the conveyance path and is reliably put into the conveyance path. Further, even when the supply position and the inspection position are separated, the loading position of the test piece into the conveyance path can be set as appropriate. Therefore, the test piece can be loaded on the upstream side of the inspection position by the detection means and near the inspection position.

  The foreign matter detection means here is, for example, an X-ray detection method or a metal detection method that detects a change in magnetic field, but the detection method is particularly limited if foreign matter in the transport pipe can be detected. Is not to be done. Further, the urging means is not limited to moving the test piece to the conveyance path side by an external force, but may be one to move the test piece to the conveyance path side by using the own weight of the test piece, and uses both the external force and the own weight for urging. It may be a thing.

  In the foreign matter detection device of the present invention, (2) the closing port is provided with a closing member that closes and opens the charging port, and when the charging port is opened, the test piece enters the branch path. It is good to be able to input.

  With this configuration, not only can the entrance of the test piece be blocked by the closing member and prevent foreign matter other than the test piece from entering the transfer path, but also the pressure on the transfer path side is carried by the blocking member. The volume of the branch path can be minimized.

  Furthermore, in the foreign object detection device of the present invention, (3) the valve body of the valve is a rotary type, and a holding portion capable of holding the test piece is formed on the valve body, and the valve body is closed. It is preferable to take an arbitrary position among a first rotation position in which the holding portion faces the input port side in a valve state and a second rotation position in which the holding portion faces the transport path side.

  In this way, the valve element is configured such that the test piece is held by the holding part of the valve element by blocking the gap between the conveyance path and the branch path with the valve element at the first rotation position, and the holding part faces the conveyance path side. By rotating the to the second rotation position, it is possible to reliably put the test piece into the conveyance path.

  In the foreign matter detection device of the present invention, (4) discharge means for discharging the residue in the branch path to the outside of the branch path when the valve is closed may be provided.

  With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the residue in the branch path from being thrown together when the test piece is thrown in and deterioration of the inspection object remaining in the branch path. The residue referred to here is a remaining liquid such as a fluid inspection object remaining in the holding hole or a fluid for transporting the inspection object.

  In the foreign matter detection device of the present invention, (5) the urging unit may move the test piece introduced from the insertion port into the conveyance path by an external force when the valve is opened.

  With this configuration, the test piece can be loaded more reliably and timely.

  More preferably, in the foreign object detection device of the present invention, (6) the urging means includes a pushing member that is movably inserted into the branch passage, and when the valve is opened, the pushing member is The valve is operated so as to approach the valve body of the valve.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to put the test piece into the transport path more reliably and timely using the biasing means.

  (7) An operation for operating the push-in member to approach and separate the inner end portion that can approach and separate from the valve, an intermediate portion that passes through the input port, and the inner end portion to the valve. It is good to have a part. With this configuration, the urging means can be configured with a simple pushing member.

  Further, (8) the holding portion forms a holding hole capable of accommodating the test piece, and the pushing member is formed in a piston shape that is slidably engaged with and detached from the holding portion, and the pushing member Thus, the test piece may be moved into the transport path while reducing the volume in the holding portion communicating with the transport path.

  If it does in this way, even if it is a test piece which has fluidity, for example, while being able to put in into a conveyance path reliably, a to-be-inspected object and a test piece become difficult to adhere to a pushing member.

  Furthermore, the foreign matter detection device of the present invention is (9) a rising portion that becomes higher in the vertical direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction, in a part of the transport pipe that forms a transport path between the supply position and the inspection position. A descending portion that decreases in the vertical direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction may be provided, and the valve may be disposed in the ascending portion or the descending portion.

  In this case, by providing the ascending section or the descending section, the horizontal length of the transport pipe at the height of the inspection position for detecting the foreign matter is shortened, so that the inspection line can be shortened or made flexible. In combination with this, the valve placement position is either ascending or descending, so the valve orientation suitable for discharging the residue in the branch path and closing the test piece when closing the valve is appropriately selected. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the branch point position from the conveyance path of the branch path, and to perform test injection of the test piece upstream from the inspection position by the detection means and near the inspection position. It is possible to provide a foreign object detection device capable of adjusting the foreign object detection sensitivity accompanying the test input and confirming the sorting accuracy in a short time.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 to 5 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a foreign object detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and show an example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray foreign object detection apparatus.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  In FIG. 1, an inspection object (not shown) that can flow from the left side in the drawing is fed to a conveyance pipe 11 in which a tubular conveyance path 11 pw is formed. The inspection object can be continuously conveyed through the conveying pipe 11 while flowing at a predetermined flow rate.

  In this embodiment, the object to be inspected is, for example, a fluid food such as a retort food ingredient, a stretchable food such as a fish surimi, or a food such as a shellfish strip. In the carrier fluid at a predetermined dilution rate. In addition, although the dilution rate here is a capacity | capacitance ratio, either the ratio converted into the capacity | capacitance from mass, or the mass ratio itself can be used.

  In the vicinity of the transport pipe 11, an X-ray generator 12 that irradiates an inspection object passing through the transport pipe 11 with X-rays, and an X-ray that is irradiated from the X-ray generator 12 to the inspection object and passes through the inspection object. The X-ray detection unit 13 that detects the above is disposed opposite to the conveyance pipe 11. The X-ray generation unit 12 and the X-ray detection unit 13 constitute a foreign matter detection unit, and foreign matter contained in an inspection object transported through a transport path 11pw in the transport pipe 11 is detected at a predetermined inspection position (in the transport direction). Detection is performed at hatched portions in FIG. Further, a part of the transport pipe 11 corresponding to the predetermined inspection position is formed with an X-ray inspection unit 11a that shapes the object to be transported into a uniform predetermined layer thickness and transmits X-rays from the X-ray generation unit 12. The conveyance pipe 11 is horizontally arranged over the X-ray inspection unit 11a or before and after the X-ray inspection unit 11a so that the inspection object flows stably.

  The X-ray generation unit 12 and the X-ray detection unit 13 are known ones. Specifically, the X-ray generation unit 12 generates, for example, thermoelectrons from a cathode filament by a high voltage between the cathode and the anode. It includes an X-ray tube that collides with the anode target and generates X-rays. The X-ray is made into a substantially triangular screen shape through a slit (not shown) along the longitudinal direction toward the X-ray detection unit 13 below the X-ray tube. It comes to irradiate. The X-ray detection unit 13 is, for example, an X-ray line sensor camera that performs X-ray detection at a predetermined resolution by arranging a plurality of X-ray detection elements in the radial direction of the transport pipe 11 and has a predetermined number of bits that can be processed. The detection signal is output.

  On the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport path in the transport pipe 11, an object to be inspected (hereinafter also referred to as an NG product) mixed with a foreign object is separated from the test position by a predetermined distance of the transport pipe 11. A sorter that discharges to the outside of the conveyance path at the discharge position, for example, a valve type sorter 14 is provided.

  This valve type sorter 14 is composed of, for example, a rotary actuator 14a and a three-way ball valve (not shown in detail) driven by this, and when the valve body is in the normal operation position, A non-defective conveyance path 11c for communicating the conveyance path on the inspection position side with the conveyance path downstream from the valve type sorter 14, and a conveyance pipe when the valve body is switched from the normal operation position to the discharge operation position. 11 has an NG discharge path 11d for discharging the conveyance path on the inspection area side to the outside.

  The foreign substance detection processing based on the detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 13 and the switching control of the valve type sorter 14 are executed by the control circuit 30.

  The control circuit 30 takes in the X-ray detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 13 and performs image processing for drawing a predetermined transmitted X-ray dose distribution, and the threshold value of the transmitted X-ray dose transmitted through the inspection object in each area of the inspection region. Processing such as determination is performed, and foreign matter is detected by determining whether or not foreign matter is included in the inspection object according to the processing result. When the foreign matter is detected, the control circuit 30 determines the start timing and holding time of the discharge operation of the valve type sorter 14, and opens the valve body of the valve type sorter 14 accordingly (from the normal operation position). It is rotated to the discharge operation position), held, and further closed.

  Although a specific hardware configuration is not illustrated, the control circuit 30 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an input / output interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as I / F). A circuit including a programmable controller or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the object to be inspected is pumped from the product receiving box 41 by the pump 42 driven by the motor 42a, discharged and supplied into the transport pipe 11, and inspected by the X-ray inspection unit 11a. After that, it is distributed and discharged by the valve type sorter 14 to either the non-defective discharge pipe portion 11c or the NG discharge pipe portion 11d of the transport pipe 11 according to the presence or absence of foreign matter. Further, when the valve type sorter 14 discharges the NG product to be inspected containing foreign matters to the outside of the transport pipe 11, the control circuit 30 displays the operation state on the screen 16 in a predetermined display format, print output, etc. Direct output or information output (indirect output) to an external display or printer.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the gantry 17 that supports the X-ray inspection unit 11a, the X-ray generation unit 12, the X-ray detection unit 13, the display screen 16 and the like of the transport pipe 11 can be adjusted. Yes, the vicinity of the X-ray inspection part 11 a of the transport pipe 11 is covered with an X-ray shielding member 18. Further, the X-ray shielding member 18 is opened so that the X-ray inspection part 11a of the transport pipe 11 can be separated from other parts and replaced.

  On the other hand, a test piece insertion unit 50 is provided upstream of the X-ray inspection unit 11a of the transport pipe 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the test piece insertion unit 50 includes a branch pipe 51 that is integrally attached to the transport pipe 11 on the upstream side in the transport direction from the X-ray inspection unit 11a. A branch path 51 pw branching from the transport path 11 pw in the transport pipe 11 is formed. The position of the branch point (B in FIG. 2) at which this branch path 51pw branches from the transport path 11pw is the same as the supply position (position A in FIG. 4) at which the inspection object is supplied into the transport path 11pw. Between the line inspection unit 11a (inspection position) and on the inspection position side.

  More specifically, the test piece insertion unit 50 is disposed, for example, immediately after the rising portion 11h located at the downstream end of the upstream passage portion 11b (see FIG. 4), and the branch pipe 51 is disposed at one end side. Branch path (hereinafter also referred to as a branch line transport path) 51pw connected to the transport pipe 11 near and upstream of the X-ray inspection unit 11a and branching from a transport path (hereinafter also referred to as a main line transport path) 11pw in the transport pipe 11 Is forming. The other end of the branch pipe 51 forms a test piece inlet 51e, and the test piece can be supplied into the branch path 51pw, that is, into the branch pipe 51 from the inlet 51e. Note that the insertion port 51e serves as a loading port for non-defective samples when, for example, a test object to be transported together with the transporting fluid is tested on a test basis.

  Further, the branch pipe 51 is provided with a valve 52 capable of switching between communication and blocking between the main line conveyance path 11pw and the branch line conveyance path (branch path) 51pw, and the inlet 51e of the branch pipe 51 is provided during normal operation. In this case, the valve 52 is blocked from the main conveyance path 11pw side.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the valve 52 is configured by, for example, a butterfly valve, and a rotation center shaft 52 c supported on the base end side of the branch pipe 51, and the rotation center shaft 52 c. Through the branch pipe 51, the valve body 52a supported so as to be able to rotate in the valve opening and closing directions, and the bush seal portion integrally attached to the branch pipe 51 so that the valve body 52a can be liquid-tightly fitted. 52b (details are not shown). The valve 52 is a rotary type in which the valve body 52a rotates about the rotation center axis 52c, and a holding surface portion 52d capable of holding a test piece is formed on one side of the valve body 52a. 52d faces the arbitrary one side of the insertion port 51e and the conveyance path 11pw by the rotation of the valve body 52a. That is, the valve body 52a is in a valve-closed state, out of a first rotation position where the holding surface portion 52d faces the insertion port 51e and a second rotation position where the holding surface portion 52d faces the transport path 11pw side. Arbitrary positions can be taken. Note that the holding surface portion 52d of the valve body 52a does not necessarily have to be flat, and may be provided with a saucer-like concave portion to enhance the holding performance of the test piece.

  Further, the rotation center shaft 52c of the valve 52 is oriented so as to be orthogonal to the axis of the main conveyance path 11pw. When the valve 52 is opened, the valve body 52a at the valve opening position is in the pipe immediately before (upstream). Fluid that increases the fluid pressure and lowers the fluid pressure in the pipe immediately after (downstream side), flows into the branch path 51pw just before the valve body 52a, and flows out from the branch path 51pw just after the valve body 52a By generating a flow, fluid introduction (filling) into the branch path 51pw and movement of the loaded test piece to the main conveyance path 11pw are facilitated and ensured.

  A lid-like closing member 53 is detachably provided at the opening end of the branch pipe 51. The closing member 53 is attached to the branch pipe 51 so as to close the inlet 51e in a liquid-tight manner, and is released from the inlet 51e so as to open the inlet 51e. The test piece can be put into the portion 51a outside the valve opening / closing position in the path 51pw.

  Specifically, the closing member 53 includes, for example, a skirt portion 53a in which an internal thread portion (not shown) that is screwed to the outer end portion of the branch pipe 51 is formed on the inner peripheral portion, and a lid that faces the input port 51e. A sealing member (not shown) that seals the gap between the closing member 53 and the branch pipe 51 is mounted on or in the vicinity of the inner surface of the lid portion 53b that contacts the charging port 51e. As long as the closing member 53 can be attached to and detached from the insertion port 51e, the closing member 53 may be hinge-coupled to the branch pipe 51 or chain-coupled, and is not limited to the cap-shaped lid shape. Although it may be a plug-like one, it is preferable that the screw connection and locking of the closing member to the branch pipe 51 be performed on the outer peripheral side of the branch pipe 51.

  A piston-like pushing member 55 is provided in the branch pipe 51 so as to be close to and away from the valve 52. When the valve body 52a of the valve 52 is opened, the pushing member 55 opens and closes the branch passage 51pw. It is an urging means capable of forcibly moving the test piece thrown outward from the position into the main line transport path 11pw by an external force. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the insertion port 51e is disposed above the holding surface portion 52d of the valve 52, and the test piece is placed straight on the main conveyance path 11pw through the valve 52 opened from the insertion port 51e when the valve is opened. An arrangement is made that constitutes a substantially vertical communication path that can drop by its own weight, and this also constitutes a part of the urging means.

  The pushing member 55 is also operated so as to approach the valve body 52a when the valve 52 is opened, and the upper half of the valve body 52a is accommodated in the substantially semicircular recess 55a on the distal end side. The branch pipe 51 installed is slidably fitted to the inner peripheral portion. Furthermore, the pushing member 55 can reduce the volume in the branch path communicating with the main line conveyance path 11pw and carry the loaded test piece into the main line conveyance path 11pw by this approaching operation.

  Further, when the push-in member 55 approaches the holding surface portion 52d of the valve body 52a of the valve 52, the push-in member 55 partitions the branch path 51pw inward and outward at a predetermined closed position on the proximal end side of the branch path 51pw, and communicates with the main line transport path 11pw. The volume of the portion is reduced, and when the test piece stays in the branch path 51pw, the test piece is forcibly loaded (loaded) into the main line conveyance path 11pw. Further, when the operating force in the pressing direction is released, the pushing member 55 is urged toward the retreat side by the fluid pressure on the main line conveyance path 11pw side, or retreats toward the input port 51e again by the return operation force, and the closing member 53, the return position is defined.

  Such a pushing member 55 includes a piston-like inner end portion 55b that can approach and separate from the valve 52, a round bar-like intermediate portion 55c that passes through the insertion port 51e, and the inner end portion 55b to the valve 52. It comprises a handle-like operation portion 55d for enabling manual operation of approach and separation.

  Further, the inspection object or the transport fluid (hereinafter also referred to as residual liquid) remaining in the portion 51a outside the valve opening / closing position in the branching path 51pw is slightly outside the valve opening / closing position of the branch pipe 51. A discharge opening / closing lid 57 that can be opened and closed is provided as a discharge means for discharging to the outside of 51 pw. Although details of the discharge open / close lid 57 are not shown, a cap-like member such as the closing member 53 may be used, or a plug with male screw or an open / close valve may be used instead. The operation of discharging the remaining liquid in the outer portion 51a of the branch path 51pw will be described later.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the foreign matter detection apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above, an object to be inspected is pumped out of the product receiving box 41 by the pump 42 and discharged into the transport pipe 11, and the X-ray inspection unit of the transport pipe 11. X-rays from the X-ray generator 12 are irradiated within 11a. Then, the transmitted X-ray dose is detected by the X-ray detection unit 13, and the presence or absence of contamination is checked.

  In other words, the X-ray generation unit 12 uniformly irradiates the inspection object in the inspection region with X-rays, and the transmitted X-ray dose from the inspection object is a line sensor in each area in the width direction of the inspection region. 13, based on the detection signal of the predetermined number of bits, predetermined image processing is executed by an image processing circuit of a determination unit (not shown) in the control circuit 30 to determine whether foreign matter is mixed.

  Then, according to the determination result, the pneumatic actuator of the valve type sorter 14 is driven, and the inspection object free from foreign matters is carried out from the non-defective product discharge pipe portion 11c of the transport pipe 11 to the non-defective product receiving box 43, The mixed inspection object is distributed and discharged from the NG discharge pipe portion 11d to the outside of the transport system.

  On the other hand, prior to the normal operation as described above, or when adjusting the foreign matter detection sensitivity or the like when changing the product type or replacing the pipe near the X-ray inspection unit 11a of the transport pipe 11, the test piece input unit 50 A test inspection is performed by putting an object to be inspected.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a series of test piece loading procedures by the test piece loading unit 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, first, the valve 52 is opened, and a normal inspection object or a transport fluid is filled in the branch path 51pw ((1) in the figure); Is a fluid). When this filling step is completed, the valve body 52a of the valve 52 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the valve 52 is closed, and the main line conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 51pw are partitioned (see FIG. (2)). In this state, the closing member 53 is opened so as to be detached from the inlet 51e of the branch pipe 51 ((3) in the figure), and the test piece is put into the branch path 51pw. Is again attached to the branch pipe 51 so as to close the inlet 51e ((4) in the figure). In FIG. 3, among the closing member 53 and the branch pipe 51, the opening / closing state of the valve opening / closing position and the conveying path 11pw side from the valve opening / closing position is referred to as the introduction portion, and the opening / closing states thereof are appended. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the valve body 52a of the valve 52 is rotated clockwise in the figure, and the valve is opened so that the fluid can move between the branch path 51pw and the main line conveyance path 11pw. (5) in the figure, the pushing member 55 is pushed in, and even when the test piece stays on the outer side from the valve opening / closing position of the branch path 51pw, the test piece is moved to the main conveyance path 11pw. An operation for forcibly moving (in) is performed ((6) in the figure). That is, the approaching operation of the push-in member 55 to the valve 52 reduces the volume in the branch path on the main conveyance path 11pw side including the test piece, and the test piece is reliably put into the main conveyance path 11pw.

  Next, the pushing member 55 is released from the operation force in the pushing direction, and is further urged to the backward side by the fluid pressure on the main line conveyance path 11pw side, or is returned to the inlet 51e side again by the return operation force (same as above). (7) in the figure). When the push-in member 55 closes the inlet 51e, the valve 52 is closed, and after the main conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 51pw are separated, the remaining liquid in the branch path 51pw is opened and closed for discharge. When the lid 57 (or an opening / closing plug or the like) is opened, it is discharged to the outside ((8) in the figure). At the time of discharging, the discharge opening / closing lid 57 is rotated with a part of the peripheral portion as a fulcrum to open the branch path 51pw without increasing or decreasing its volume, or the closing member 53 or the discharge opening / closing lid. A check valve may be provided at 57 to allow introduction of air from the outside.

  In the present embodiment as described above, when the valve body 52a of the valve 52 is in the operating position when the valve is closed, the test piece is inserted into the inlet 51e of the branch path 51pw, and the valve body of the valve 52 is opened. Then, the test piece biased by the biasing means such as the pushing member 55 moves into the transport path 11pw and is put in. Accordingly, the position of the branch point of the branch path 51pw from the main line conveyance path 11pw (B in FIG. 2) is appropriately set, and the test piece is put in the test upstream of the inspection position by the detection means and near the inspection position. This makes it possible to reduce the time for inspection and adjustment using the test piece.

  Further, the test piece insertion port 51e is blocked by the closing member 53, so that it is possible not only to prevent foreign substances other than the test piece from entering the transport path 11pw, but also to support the urging means or the transport path 11pw side. Thus, it is possible to suppress the inflow (back flow) of the inspection object to the branch path 51pw side. Further, since the pressure on the transport path 11pw side is carried by the closing member 53, the volume of the branch path 51pw can be minimized.

  Further, while appropriately blocking between the conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 51pw by the valve 52, the test piece is held by the holding portion 52d of the valve body 52a, and the valve body 52 is set so that the holding portion 52d faces the conveyance path 11pw. By rotating the test piece, it is possible to reliably put the test piece into the transport path 11pw.

  Moreover, since the residual liquid remaining in the outer portion 51a of the branch path 51pw after the test piece is opened is discharged by opening the discharge opening / closing lid 57 and the like, It is possible to prevent the remaining liquid from being poured together or the inspection object remaining in the outer portion 51a of the branch path 51pw from being deteriorated.

  Further, the urging means that can reliably put the test piece into the conveyance path in a timely manner can be constituted by a simple pushing member, and even if the test piece has fluidity, the conveyance path Can be reliably inserted into the inside.

[Second Embodiment]
6 and 7 are diagrams showing a foreign object detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the waist and FIG. 7 shows a test piece insertion procedure.

  The embodiment described below is provided with a test piece insertion unit described below in place of the test piece insertion unit 50 in the first embodiment described above, except for the configuration of the main part thereof. The configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified using the symbol numbers shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and components similar to those in the above-described embodiment will be described in FIGS. The description will be made using the same symbol numbers as those shown in FIG.

  First, the configuration of the main part will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the test piece insertion unit 70 of the present embodiment has a branch pipe 151 that is integrally attached to the transport pipe 11 on the upstream side in the transport direction from the X-ray inspection unit 11a. The pipe 151 forms a branch path 151 pw that branches from the transport path 11 pw in the transport pipe 11. The branching point (B in FIG. 6) at which this branching path 151pw branches from the conveyance path 11pw is the supply position (position A in FIG. 4) at which the inspection object is supplied into the conveyance path 11pw and the X-ray inspection. Between the portion 11a (inspection position) and located on the inspection position side.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the test piece insertion portion 70 is disposed, for example, in the rising portion 11h located on the downstream side of the upstream passage portion 11b. The branch pipe 151 is connected almost horizontally to the rising portion 11h of the transport pipe 11, and forms a branch path 151pw that branches from the main line transport path 11pw. The rising portion 11h has a height in the vertical direction that is higher on the downstream side in the transport direction, but may be a lower portion in which the height in the vertical direction is lower on the downstream side in the transport direction depending on the installation height of the front and rear transport pipes 11 and the piping route. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the other end of the branch pipe 51 forms a test piece inlet 151e, from which the test piece can be put into the branch path 151pw, that is, into the branch pipe 151. It has become.

  Further, the branch pipe 151 is provided with a valve 72 capable of switching between communication and blocking between the main line conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 151pw, and the inlet 151e of the branch pipe 151 is the valve 72 during normal operation. Is cut off from the main line conveyance path 11pw side.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the valve 72 is configured by, for example, a three-way ball valve, and a rotation center shaft 72 c that is rotatably supported by the branch pipe 151, and the rotation center shaft. A spherical valve body 72a supported rotatably in the opening and closing directions in the branch pipe 151 via 72c and integrally coupled to the branch pipe 151 so as to hold the valve body 72a rotatably. And a valve seat 72b (details are not shown). The valve 72 is a rotary type in which the valve body 72a rotates about a rotation center axis 72c, and holding holes 72d and 72e capable of holding a test piece are formed in the valve body 72a. The portions 72d and 72e as a whole form a T-shaped hole opened in three directions. Then, by the rotation of the valve body 72a, one opening of the holding hole composed of the holding hole 72d and the holding hole 72e selectively faces and communicates with any one of the input port 151e and the conveyance path 11pw. To get. Specifically, the valve body 72a communicates both the holding hole portion 72d and the holding hole portion 72e with the charging port 151e, while blocking the gap between the charging port 151e and the conveyance path 11pw (FIG. 6). The valve operating position at the time of closing (first rotation position) shown in FIG. 6 and 90 degrees clockwise from the first switching position in FIG. 6, and the holding port 72e and the transport path 11pw are moved by the holding hole 72e. A switching operation is performed to a second switching position (valve operating position when the valve is opened; second rotation position) to be communicated.

  A lid-like closing member 53 is detachably provided at the opening end of the branch pipe 151. The closing member 53 is attached to the branch pipe 151 to close the inlet 151e in a liquid-tight manner, while being released from the inlet 151e to open the inlet 151e. A test piece can be put into a portion 151a outside the valve opening / closing position in the path 151pw. Note that the shape of the blocking member 53 itself and the attachment structure to the branch pipe 151 are as described in the first embodiment.

  In the branch pipe 151, a piston-like pushing member 75 having a substantially flat front end surface is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the valve 72. The pushing member 75 rotates the valve body 72a of the valve 72 to the valve opening position. When moved, the test piece put into the portion 151a outside the valve opening / closing position in the branch path 151pw can be moved into the main line conveyance path 11pw by an external force. The pushing member 75 constitutes an urging means for urging and moving the test piece into the main conveyance path 11pw by an external force and its own weight together with the arrangement of the test piece insertion path as described below. That is, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the inlet 151e is disposed above the holding holes 72d and 72e of the valve 72, and when the valve is opened, the test is performed straight from the inlet 151e to the main conveyance path 11pw through the holding hole 72e. The passage arrangement is such that the piece can be moved. The direction of the branch pipe 151 is not limited as long as the height of the inlet 151e is equal to or higher than the connection height with the main line conveyance path 11pw, but when the horizontal posture as shown in the figure is selected. The pushing member 75 is an urging means alone, and there is no urging by the test piece's own weight.

  The pushing member 75 is pushed so as to approach the valve body 72a when the valve 72 is opened, and is slidably fitted into the holding hole 72e of the valve body 72a at the second switching position. It has become.

  Further, when the pushing member 75 is pushed into the holding hole 72e of the valve body 72a of the valve 72, the branching path 51pw is divided into the inside and outside, and the volume of the inner part communicating with the main line conveying path 11pw is reduced. When the piece stays in the branch path 51pw, it can be forcibly put into the main line transport path 11pw, that is, with an external force applied. Further, when the operating force in the pressing direction is released immediately after the test piece is inserted, the pressing member 75 is urged backward by the fluid pressure on the main line conveyance path 11pw side, or again by the return operating force. Retreats to the 151e side, the return position is defined by the closing member 53, and stops.

  Such a pushing member 75 includes a piston-like inner end portion 75a capable of approaching and separating from the valve 72, a round bar-like intermediate portion 75b passing through the insertion port 151e, and a holding hole portion 72e of the inner end portion 75a. A handle-like operation part 75c for enabling manual operation of engagement and disengagement to the is formed.

  Further, on the slightly outer side of the valve opening / closing position of the branch pipe 151, as a discharge means for discharging the residual liquid remaining in the portion 151a outside the valve opening / closing position of the branch path 151pw to the outside of the branch path 151pw, opening / closing for discharge A lid 57 or a threaded plug or opening / closing valve instead of the lid 57 is provided. Further, an air bleed valve (not shown) is provided on the upper side (left side in FIG. 6) of the valve 72 in the installation posture shown in FIG. Among them, when the transport fluid or the object to be inspected is introduced into or discharged from the portion 151a outside the valve opening / closing position, excess air is discharged or introduced from the outside through the air bleed valve. Yes.

  Next, a procedure for performing a test inspection by inserting an inspection object from the test piece insertion unit 70 will be described.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a series of test piece loading procedures by the test piece loading unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, first, in a state where the valve 72 is in a closed state, that is, in a state where the main line conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 151pw are partitioned, the closing member 53 is connected to the branch pipe 51. It is opened so as to separate from the insertion port 51e ((1) in the figure). In addition, the part 151a outside the valve opening / closing position in the branch path 151pw is assumed to be kept clean.

  Next, after the test piece is put into the branch path 151pw ((2) in the figure), the closing member 53 is attached to the branch pipe 151 so as to close the inlet 151e of the branch pipe 151 again (in the figure ( 3)).

  Next, when the valve 72 is opened, the object to be inspected or the transport fluid supplied at a predetermined supply pressure flows into the branch passage 151pw and is filled ((4) in the figure). At this time, the air remaining in the portion 151a outside the valve opening / closing position in the branch passage 151pw is released to the outside through the air bleed valve (broken arrow in the figure).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the pushing member 75 is pushed in, and the test piece that is on the outer side from the valve opening / closing position in the branching path 151pw is forcibly moved into the main conveyance path 11pw. Is made ((5) in the figure). That is, as shown in the pushing step 5) of FIG. 7B, the approaching operation of the pushing member 75 to the valve 72 reduces the volume in the branch path on the main line conveyance path 11pw side including the test piece, and The test piece is reliably put into the main line conveyance path 11pw.

  Next, the pushing member 75 is released from the operation force in the pushing direction, and is further urged to the backward side by the fluid pressure on the main line conveyance path 11pw side, or returned again to the input port 151e side by the return operation force (same as above). (6) in the figure). At this time, residual air is discharged to the outside through the air bleed valve. Then, when the pushing member 75 returns to the inlet 151e, the valve 72 is closed, and after the main conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 151pw are separated, the remaining liquid in the branch path 51pw is blocked. 53 and the discharge open / close lid 57 (or an open / close valve, etc.) are discharged to the outside by opening at least one of them ((7) in the figure). When the test piece insertion unit 70 is not used, the pushing member 75 can be pushed inward as necessary, and the series of test piece loading processes described above is performed until the pushing step 75 of the pushing member 75 (5). Although the process can be completed, the test piece insertion path can be reliably cleaned by causing the transfer fluid from the main transfer path 11pw to flow out in the return stage (6) and the residual liquid discharge stage (7).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the valve body 72a of the valve 72 is in the operating position when the valve is closed, the test piece is inserted into the insertion port 151e of the branch path 151pw, and the valve body 72a of the valve 72 is opened. When operating, the test piece urged by the urging means moves into the main line conveyance path 11pw and is put into the conveyance path 11pw. Therefore, the branch point position B of the branch path 151pw from the main line conveyance path 11pw is appropriately set, and the test piece is positioned upstream from the inspection position by the X-ray detection unit 13 and near the inspection position (X-ray inspection unit 11a). It is possible to perform a test injection, and even when the inspection object supply position and the inspection position are separated from each other, the inspection and adjustment time using the test piece is greatly reduced.

  Further, the test piece is accommodated and held in the holding holes 72d and 72e of the valve body 72a while appropriately blocking between the conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 151pw by the valve 72, and the holding hole is communicated with the conveyance path 11pw. By rotating the valve body 72a, the test piece can be reliably put into the main line conveyance path 11pw.

  Further, the test piece insertion port 151e is closed by the closing member 53, so that not only foreign matter other than the test piece can enter the conveyance path 11pw but also the pushing member 75 is supported and the valve 72 is opened. It is possible to suppress the inflow of the inspection object from the main line conveyance path 11pw side to the branch path 151pw side at the time of the valve. Further, since the pressure on the conveyance path 11pw side is carried by the closing member 53, the volume of the branch path 151pw can be minimized.

  In addition, the urging means that can reliably put the test piece into the transport path 11pw in a timely manner can be configured by a simple pushing member 75, and even if the test piece has fluidity, It can be reliably put into the transport path 11pw.

  Needless to say, the mounting posture of the valve 72 to the transport pipe 11 is not limited to the one in which the rotation center shaft 72c of the valve body 72a is orthogonal to the transport pipe 11 as shown in FIGS. Alternatively, for example, a posture in which the rotation center shaft 72c of the valve body 72a is parallel to the transport pipe 11 may be employed, or a tilted posture may be employed.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a foreign object detection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the main part will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the test piece insertion unit 80 of the present embodiment includes a branch pipe 251 that is integrally attached to the transport pipe 11 on the upstream side in the transport direction from the X-ray inspection unit 11a. The pipe 251 forms a branch path 251 pw that branches from the transport path 11 pw in the transport pipe 11. A branch point (B in FIG. 8) where this branch path 251pw branches from the transport path 11pw is a supply position (position A in FIG. 4) to which the inspection object is supplied into the transport path 11pw and an X-ray inspection. Between the portion 11a (inspection position) and located on the inspection position side.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the test piece insertion portion 80 is disposed, for example, in the rising portion 11 h located on the downstream side of the upstream-side passage portion 11 b, and the branch pipe 251 is raised on the conveying pipe 11. A branch path 251pw branched from the main line transport path 11pw is formed substantially horizontally connected to the portion 11h. Further, the branch pipe 251 is bent in an L shape, and a detachable mounting hole 251 d of the push member 75 is provided at a corner portion on the lower end side of the branch pipe 251, and the push member 75 is provided in the valve body 72 a of the valve 72. It is mounted so that it can enter and retract.

  Further, the upper end portion 251f of the branch pipe 251 forms an input port 251e that is located almost directly above the valve body 72a and that opens at the upper end. Then, the test piece is introduced into the branch path 251pw, that is, into the branch pipe 251 from the insertion port 251e, and the test piece sank under its own weight is introduced into the holding hole 72e of the valve 72.

  The valve 72 is configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the communication / blocking between the main conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 251pw can be switched in the branch pipe 251, and the inlet 251e of the branch pipe 251 is normally configured. During operation, the valve 72 blocks the main line transport path 11pw.

  That is, the valve body 72a of the valve 72 is a rotary type that rotates around the rotation center axis 72c, and the valve body 72a is formed with holding holes 72d and 72e that can hold the test piece, and holds both of them. The holes 72d and 72e as a whole form a T-shaped hole opened in three directions. Then, by the rotation of the valve body 72a, one opening of the holding hole made up of the holding hole 72d and the holding hole 72e selectively faces and communicates with any one of the input port 251e and the conveyance path 11pw. To get.

  A detachable lid member that closes the inlet 251e may be provided, or the upper end 251f of the branch pipe 251 may be formed of a removable transparent cylindrical body, or may be connected to the upper end 251f from the outside in the branch path 251pw. It is also possible to form a transparent window that makes the liquid level height visible.

  At the time of the operation of this embodiment, first, the valve 72 is opened and the inspection object or the fluid for conveyance from the main line conveyance path 11pw side is introduced into the branch path 251pw (similar to the valve opening operation of FIG. 7). When the liquid level in the branch path 251pw reaches a predetermined height or stabilizes, as shown in FIG. 8, the valve 72 is closed once to remove the test piece from the inlet 251e. It puts in the branch path 251pw. Here, the valve 72 is once closed in order to ensure that the timing of inserting the test piece is ensured only in the subsequent pushing-in stage, and is not necessarily closed. That is, the test piece can be inserted from the insertion port 251e while the valve body 72a is kept at the same valve operation position as the valve opening operation of FIG.

  Next, the pushing member 75 is pushed, and an operation for forcibly moving the test piece located outside the valve opening / closing position in the branch path 251pw into the main transport path 11pw is performed (the pushing stage in FIG. 7). Same as 5).

  Thereafter, when the pushing member 75 is returned into the mounting hole 251d, the valve 72 is closed after the return operation, and after the main line conveyance path 11pw and the branch path 251pw are partitioned, the branch path 51pw The residual liquid is discharged to the outside by opening at least one of the closing member 53 and the discharge open / close lid 57 (or the open / close valve or the like) (similar to the residual liquid discharge operation 7) in FIG. 7). Of course, it is conceivable that this residual liquid discharging step is performed as it is after the pushing member 75 is pushed in, and the pushing member 75 is not returned (for example, locked).

  Also in this embodiment, when the test piece is inserted into the insertion port 251e of the branch path 251pw and the valve body of the valve 72 is opened as in the above embodiments, the pushing member 75 (biasing means) Since the test piece urged by is moved into the transport path 11pw and put in, the test piece can be put in the test piece upstream from the X-ray inspection position as the foreign matter detection means and near the inspection position. It is possible to provide a foreign object detection device that can shorten the time for inspection and adjustment using a test piece.

  In addition, although each above-mentioned embodiment was a case where one test piece insertion part was provided, it cannot be overemphasized that multiple test piece insertion parts can be provided. In such a case, it is also conceivable that a bypass conveyance path capable of opening and closing the valve is provided in a part of the conveyance pipe, and the bypass conveyance path is made a part of the conveyance pipe when the test piece is inserted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the position of the branch point from the conveyance path of the branch path can be set as appropriate, and the test piece can be loaded on the upstream side of the inspection position by the foreign matter detection means and near the inspection position. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a foreign matter detection device capable of adjusting the foreign matter detection sensitivity accompanied by the test injection of the test piece and confirming the sorting accuracy in a short time, and the inside of the transport pipe is produced. This is useful for all foreign matter detection devices that detect foreign matter in a flowing test object.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part front sectional drawing of the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the test piece injection | throwing-in procedure in the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the schematic structure of the whole foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the schematic structure of the whole foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part front sectional drawing of the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the test piece injection | throwing-in procedure in the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part front sectional drawing of the foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Conveying pipe 11a X-ray inspection part (inspection position)
11h ascending part (ascending section)
11 pw transport path 12 X-ray generator (foreign matter detection means)
13 X-ray detection unit (foreign matter detection means)
30 Control circuit (control unit)
50, 70, 80 Test piece insertion part 51, 151, 251 Branch pipe 51a, 151a, 251a Outer part 51e, 151e, 251e Test piece insertion port 51pw, 151pw, 251pw Branch path 52, 72 Valve 52a, 72a Valve body 52c, 72c Rotation center shaft 52d Holding surface portion (holding portion)
53 Closing members 55, 75 Pushing member (biasing means)
55b, 75a Inner end portions 55c, 75b Intermediate portions 55d, 75c Operation portion 57 Opening / closing lid for discharging (discharge means)
72d, 72e Holding hole (holding hole)

Claims (9)

A transport pipe (11) in which a transport path (11pw) for transporting and transporting the inspection object is formed;
In the foreign matter detection device comprising foreign matter detection means (12, 13) for detecting foreign matter contained in the inspection object conveyed through the conveyance path at a predetermined inspection position in the conveyance direction,
A branch path (51 pw) that is attached to a transport pipe between the supply position at which the inspection object is supplied to the transport path and the inspection position and branches from the transport path on the upstream side in the transport direction from the inspection position of the transport path. 151pw; 251pw) and a branch pipe (51e; 151e; 251e) that forms an inlet (51e; 151e; 251e) for feeding a predetermined test piece;
A valve (52; 72) attached to the branch pipe to communicate and block the branch path to the transport path;
An alien substance detecting device, comprising: an urging means (55; 75) for urging the test piece introduced into the insertion port toward the conveyance path when the valve is opened. The closing port is provided with a closing member (53) for closing and opening the charging port,
The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein when the input port is opened, the test piece can be input into the branch path. The valve body (52a; 72a) of the valve is rotatable, and a holding portion (52d; 72d, 72e) capable of holding the test piece is formed on the valve body,
Arbitrary position among the 1st rotation position where the said valve body is a valve closing state, and the said holding | maintenance part faces the said inlet side, and the 2nd rotation position which faces the said holding | maintenance part to the said conveyance path side The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein:   The foreign matter detection device according to claim 3, further comprising discharge means (57) for discharging the residue in the branch path to the outside of the branch path when the valve is closed.   The said urging means (55; 75) moves the test piece thrown in from the said slot into the said conveyance path by external force at the time of the valve opening. Foreign matter detection device described in 1.   The urging means has a pushing member (55; 75) that is movably inserted into the branch passage, and when the valve is opened, the pushing member is operated so as to approach the valve body of the valve. The foreign object detection device according to claim 5, wherein:   An inner end (55b; 75a) that allows the pushing member to approach and separate from the valve, an intermediate portion (55c; 75b) that passes through the inlet, and an approach and separation of the inner end to the valve. The foreign object detection device according to claim 6, further comprising an operation unit (55 d; 75 c) for operation. The holding part forms holding holes (72d, 72e) capable of storing the test piece,
The pushing member is formed in a piston shape that slidably engages and disengages from the holding part, and the test piece is moved to the carrying path while reducing the volume in the holding part that communicates with the carrying path by the pushing member. The foreign object detection device according to claim 6, wherein the foreign object detection device is moved inward. In a part of the transport pipe that forms a transport path between the supply position and the inspection position, a rising portion (11h) that becomes higher in the vertical direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction or lower in the vertical direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Provide a descending part,
The foreign object detection device according to claim 6, wherein the valve is disposed in the ascending portion or the descending portion.

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