JP4608611B2 - Container inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container inspection apparatus that performs an inspection by rotating a container around a container axis.

As a container inspection device having a cylindrical portion, the container transported by the transport mechanism is taken into a predetermined inspection position, and the container is rotated around the vertical axis to inspect the opening of the container over the entire circumference. An inspection apparatus is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-180383 A

  In a conventional container inspection apparatus that inspects a container in an upright state, it is necessary to position the container so that the container axis is coaxial with the rotation center line by the rotation mechanism of the inspection apparatus. However, in such a support mode, the position of the outer periphery of the container, the edge of the opening and the like changes according to the outer diameter of the container, and various parts for supporting the container are adjusted or exchanged accordingly, or the inspection equipment It is necessary to change the position. When the height of the container changes, it is necessary to change the position of the container in the vertical direction accordingly and guide the inspection target portion of the container to a position suitable for an inspection device such as a camera.

The present invention aims to provide a container inspection equipment capable of performing the outer diameter of the container, the adjustment to changes in the height, etc. easily.

The container inspection apparatus of the present invention includes a transport means (11) for transporting a container (3) having a cylindrical portion along a predetermined transport track (10), and at least one inspection set along the transport track. In a position (P1 to P6), a container inspection device for rotating the container around its container axis (AXc) and inspecting the container, the container axis crosses the transport track on the transport means. A container support device (12) is provided for rotating the container around the container axis while supporting the container in a state of being tilted to face the container, and the container support device is arranged in a direction crossing the transport track. Each of the rollers includes at least one roller (27, 28) rotatable around an extending roller axis (AXr), and supports the container tilted so that the container axis is directed toward the roller axis. A pair of roller bases (15) arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis so as to be able to support each of the pair of roller bases so that the distance between the roller axis can be changed so as to approach and separate from each other. A roller base support mechanism (16), a roller base drive mechanism (17) that drives each of the pair of roller bases in directions opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis to change the interval between the roller axes, and at least A roller rotation drive mechanism (19) for rotating one roller around the roller axis, and at least one of the roller bases provided so as to sandwich the roller in the direction of the roller axis; A pair of restraining members movable in the direction of the roller axis, and the pair of restraining members by driving the one restraining member in the direction of the roller axis. The Rukoto comprising a restraining member driving mechanism for changing the distance between the wood, and to solve the problems described above.

  According to the inspection apparatus of the present invention, since the container is supported by being tilted sideways, the specific location such as the outer periphery and the opening edge of the container can be inspected only by adjusting the support position according to the outer diameter of the container. Can be easily positioned at an appropriate height. The outer periphery, the opening, and the like of the container can be inspected over the entire circumference simply by applying rotation to the container in such a positioned state. Since the container is supported on its side, the degree of freedom in positioning the container is high with respect to the direction of the container axis, and the inspection target location of the container is desired with respect to the axis direction of the container regardless of the height of the container (dimension in the container axis direction). Can be placed in the position. Furthermore, since the container axis is directed in a direction crossing the transport track, the opening, inner periphery and inner and outer bottom surfaces of the container can be appropriately inspected from the side of the transport track, and the outer periphery of the container is positioned on or above the transport track. Can be inspected from one side. Therefore, various inspections equivalent to or more than the conventional inspection apparatus that supports the container in a standing state can be performed without any trouble.

Further , the container can be rotated around the container axis by placing the container between the rollers of the pair of roller bases so that the container axis is directed in the direction of the roller axis, and rotating the roller with a roller rotation driving mechanism. . By driving the roller table by the roller table driving mechanism and changing the interval between the roller axes, the inspection target portion of the container can be positioned at a desired height regardless of the outer diameter of the container. With respect to the direction of the roller axis, by positioning the container with reference to an appropriate position, it is possible to place the inspection target portion of the container at a certain position regardless of the height of the container (the dimension in the container axis direction).

Further, the container is positioned in the direction of the roller axis with reference to the other restraining member by driving one restraining member with the restraining member drive mechanism and adjusting the spacing between the restraining members to a value corresponding to the height of the container. Thus, one end of the container can be aligned at a fixed position regardless of its height.

  On the roller base provided with the pair of restraining members, as the roller, a stationary roller (27) fixed at a fixed position with respect to the direction of the roller axis, and a roller disposed on one side of the stationary roller, A movable roller (28) movable in the direction of the roller axis is provided, and the one restraining member is provided so as to move integrally with the movable roller in the direction of the roller axis, and the other restraining member (30). May be fixed at a fixed position in the direction of the roller axis on the other side of the stationary roller. According to this aspect, by moving the movable roller in the direction of the roller axis according to the height of the container, the container is supported with a sufficient span between the restraining members regardless of the height, and the stability of the container is improved. It can be further increased.

  The pair of restraining members may be provided on each of the pair of roller bases, and the positions of the pair of restraining members in the roller axial direction may be equal to each other between the roller bases. By providing a restraining member on each roller base, the container can be restrained more reliably with respect to the direction of the roller axis.

  The restraint member drive mechanism includes a restraint member drive shaft (62) extending in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis, a restraint member drive source (60) for driving the restraint member drive shaft around the axis, and the restraint member It is provided so that it can rotate integrally with the drive shaft and can move along the restraining member drive shaft, and is connected to each of the pair of roller bases so as to be able to move integrally in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis. A pair of restraint member rotating bodies (64) and a pair of paired restraining member rotating bodies that respectively convert the rotational motions of the one restraining member into the same linear motion in the roller axial direction. Motion conversion means (64, 66, 67, 69, 70) may be provided. According to this aspect, the restraining member driving source is rotated by the common restraining member driving source, whereby the restraining member of each roller base can be moved equally in the direction of the roller axis.

  In the above aspect of the present invention, the transport track may be configured as a circular track (10), and the one restraining member (34) may be disposed closer to the inner periphery of the circular track than the other restricting member (30). Good. According to this aspect, the container is positioned in the direction of the roller axis with reference to the other restraining member disposed on the outer peripheral side of the orbit. Since a larger space can be ensured on the outer peripheral side of the circuit track than on the inner peripheral side, the inspection equipment can be arranged relatively easily. And by aligning the position of the container with reference to the outer peripheral side of the orbit, the inspection device can be easily guided to a predetermined positional relationship with respect to various containers having different outer diameters or heights. The structure regarding can be simplified.

  The pair of restraining members may be formed in a flange shape coaxial with the roller, and the roller rotation driving mechanism may rotate the pair of restraining members together with the rollers around the roller axis. By rotating the restraining member coaxially with the roller axis, the container can be reliably restrained in the direction of the roller axis without hindering the rotation of the container.

  The roller base drive mechanism includes a screw shaft (54) having a pair of male screw portions (54a, 54b) extending in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis, having the same screw pitch and opposite twist directions. A roller base driving source (52) for rotating the screw shaft about its axis, and connected to each of the pair of roller bases so as to be integrally movable in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis, and A pair of nuts (55) that respectively mesh with the pair of male screw portions of the screw shaft may be provided. According to this aspect, by rotating and driving the screw shaft with the common roller base driving source, the roller bases can be moved in the direction of the roller axis at the same speed in opposite directions.

  The roller rotation drive mechanism includes a rotation drive shaft (82) extending in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis, a rotation drive source (80) for driving the rotation drive shaft about the axis, and a rotation drive shaft. And a pair of rollers connected to each of the pair of roller bases so as to be integrally movable in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis. And a pair of rotation transmitting means (83) for transmitting the rotational motions of the rotating body (83) and the pair of roller rotating bodies to the respective rollers of the pair of roller bases so that their speeds and rotational directions are equal to each other. , 84, 85, 86, 87, 30, 26). According to this embodiment, the rollers of the roller bases can be rotated at the same speed in the same direction by rotationally driving the rotation drive shaft with the common rotation drive source.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the container is supported on its side, specific locations such as the outer periphery of the container, the opening edge, etc. can be adjusted simply by adjusting the support position according to the outer diameter of the container. Can be easily positioned at an appropriate height with respect to the inspection target device. The outer periphery, the opening, and the like of the container can be inspected over the entire circumference simply by applying rotation to the container in such a positioned state. Since the container is supported on its side, the degree of freedom in positioning the container is high with respect to the direction of the container axis, and the inspection target location of the container is desired with respect to the axis direction of the container regardless of the height of the container (dimension in the container axis direction). Can be placed in the position. Furthermore, since the container axis is directed in a direction crossing the transport track, the opening, inner periphery and inner and outer bottom surfaces of the container can be appropriately inspected from the side of the transport track, and the outer periphery of the container is positioned on or above the transport track. Can be inspected from one side. Therefore, various inspections equivalent to or more than the conventional inspection apparatus that supports the container in a standing state can be performed without any trouble.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an essential part of a container inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a right side view of the apparatus. As shown in these drawings, the container inspection apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a carry-in device 4 that carries a container 3 to be inspected into the apparatus main body 2, and a carry-out device 5 that carries the container 3 out of the apparatus main body 2. It has. The container 3 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape whose upper surface opens over substantially the entire surface. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the container 3 to be inspected includes a maximum container 3A, a minimum container 3B, and several kinds of containers having sizes different from each other in diameter and height. When there is no need to distinguish between the two, it is referred to as a container 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two rows of straight-in carry-in conveyors 6 </ b> A and carry-out conveyors 6 </ b> B are provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 2. The container 3 is placed on the carry-in conveyor 6 </ b> A in a state where the container 3 is turned upside down, and is transported to just below the carry-in device 4. The carry-in device 4 receives and sucks the containers 3 transported to the end of the carry-in conveyor 6A in any row by the suction device 7, lifts the containers 3 from the carry-in conveyor 6A, and further draws the containers 3 in FIG. As shown, the posture is changed so that the container axis is directed in the horizontal direction, and the container is loaded to the loading position Pin in the apparatus main body 2. The unloading device 5 sucks and lifts the container 3 at the unloading position Pout of the apparatus main body 2, changes the posture so that the opening faces downward, and unloads the container 3 to the starting end of the unloading conveyor 6B. The carry-in device 4 is provided with a stopper device 8 that restrains the container 3 so as not to escape to the upstream side of the carry-in conveyor 6A at the time of suction, the details of which will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a rotary table 11 as a means for conveying the container 3 in the container inspection apparatus 1. The rotary table 11 is rotationally driven around a vertical center line CLv (see FIG. 3) by a table driving device (not shown) built in the apparatus body 2. On the upper surface of the rotary table 11, eight container rotating tables 12 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The container turntable 12 corresponds to the container support device of the present invention.

  The container 3 is conveyed along a circular orbit 10 defined in the apparatus main body 2 by the rotary table 11 while being supported by each container rotating table 12. In addition to the carry-in device Pin and the carry-out device Pout described above, six inspection positions P1 to P6 are set around the orbit 10. The carry-in position Pin and the carry-out device Pout and the inspection positions P1 to P6 are provided at equal pitches in the circumferential direction. The rotary table 11 is clockwise in FIG. 1 by a certain angle (45 ° in this example) so that the container 3 supported by the container rotation table 12 sequentially moves through the loading position Pin, the inspection positions P1 to P6, and the unloading position Pout. Is driven to rotate.

  The details of the container turntable 12 are shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the container rotary table 12 includes a pair of roller bases 15, a roller base support mechanism 16 that supports each of the pair of roller bases 15 so that they can approach and separate from each other, and a roller that drives the roller base 15. A table drive mechanism 17, a slide roller drive mechanism (restraint member drive mechanism) 18 that drives a slide roller (movable roller) 28 of the roller table 15, a stationary roller 27 of the roller table 15, and a roller that rotationally drives the slide roller 28. And a rotation drive mechanism 19. 4 corresponds to the radial direction of the rotary table 11, and the left side of FIG. 4 corresponds to the outer peripheral side of the rotary table 11. In the following description, the left side of FIG. 4 is the front side of the container turntable 12, the right side of FIG. 4 is the back side of the container turntable 12, and the vertical direction of FIG.

  First, the outline of the roller table 15 will be described. The roller table 15 has roller support shafts 25 extending in the front-rear direction of the container rotary table 12, and each roller support shaft 25 is provided with rollers 27 and 28. As shown in FIG. 5, the container 3 is placed between the roller bases 15 in a state where the container axis AXc is tilted so as to face the axial direction of the roller support shaft 25, and is lowered by the rollers 27 and 28 of each roller base 15. Supported by. The opening 3a of the container 3 is directed to the front of the container turntable 12 (right side in FIG. 5). Further, the container 3 supported by the rollers 27 and 28 is provided with a container axis AXc by a pair of flanges 30 and 34 as a pair of restraining members provided so as to sandwich the rollers 27 and 28 of each roller base 15 in the direction of the roller axis AXr. Restrained in the direction of. When the slide roller 28 moves in the direction of the roller axis AXr, the upper end opening 3a of the container 3 is abutted against the front flange 30 for any of the largest container 3A, the smallest container 3B, and the intermediate size container. The various containers 3 can be reliably restrained in the direction of the container axis AXc between the flanges 30 and 34 while aligning the positions thereof.

  Next, details of the roller table 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, each roller table 15 includes a rectangular flat plate-like slide base 20 that is long in the front-rear direction. The roller support shaft 25 is rotatably attached to the slide base 20 via supports 21 and 22 and bearings 23 and 24. The front end of the roller support shaft 25 protrudes forward from the support 21, and a rotor 26 is provided at the protruding portion. The stationary roller 27 and the slide roller 28 are arranged behind the support 21. The rotor 26 can be rotated integrally with the roller support shaft 25 by being fixed at a fixed position on the roller support shaft 25 by a set screw 29. The flange 30 described above is integrally formed at the rear end of the rotor 26. The respective flanges 30 of the roller table 15 are fixed at equal positions with respect to the direction of the roller axis AXr. The stationary roller 27 is fixed at a fixed position on the roller support shaft 25 by a set screw 31, and can rotate integrally with the roller support shaft 25.

  The slide roller 28 is fitted to the spline portion 25 a of the roller support shaft 25 via a sleeve 32, and the slide roller 28 and the sleeve 32 are fixed to each other by a set screw 33. The flange 34 described above is integrally formed at the rear end of the slide roller 28. Therefore, the slide roller 28 is movable together with the flange 34 in the direction of the axis of the roller support shaft 25, that is, in the direction of the roller axis AXr, and can rotate integrally with the roller support shaft 25. The respective flanges 34 of the roller table 15 are disposed at equal positions with respect to the direction of the roller axis AXr. In order to smoothly guide the slide roller 28 in the front-rear direction, a guide rod 35 is provided below the roller support shaft 25 in parallel with the roller support shaft 25. The front end of the guide rod 35 is attached to the slide base 20 via a support 36, and the rear end of the guide rod 35 is fixed to the support 22. A slider 37 is attached to the guide rod 35 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide rod 35, and a connecting plate 38 is attached to the slider 37. The roller support shaft 25 extends through the connecting plate 38, and a sleeve 32 is fitted to the penetrating portion via a bearing 39. As a result, the slide roller 28 can move back and forth on the roller support shaft 25 while being guided by the guide rod 35.

  Next, the roller table support mechanism 16, the roller table drive mechanism 17, and the slide roller drive mechanism 18 will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the roller base support mechanism 16. The roller base support mechanism 16 includes a base plate 40 and a pair of linear motion guides 41 disposed on the base plate 40 with a space in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) of the container turntable 12. . The base plate 40 is fixed to the rotary table 11 using a bolt or the like and functions as a base that supports the entire container rotating table 12. The mounting direction of the base plate 40 is determined such that the vertical center CLv of the rotary table 11 is positioned on the extension of the center line CLa in the front-rear direction of the base plate 40.

  Each linear guide 41 includes a guide rail 42 and a pair of sliders 43 that are movable along the guide rail 42. The longitudinal direction of the guide rail 42 coincides with the left-right direction of the container turntable 12. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, a spacer 44 is disposed between the guide rail 42 and the base plate 40. The spacer 44 is fixed to the base plate 40 with bolts 45, and the guide rail 42 is fixed to the spacer 44 with bolts 46, whereby the guide rail 42 is fixed to the base plate 40. The slide base 20 of the roller base 15 is mounted on the slider 43 of the linear guide 41, and the slide base 20 and the slider 43 are fixed to each other by bolts 47. The longitudinal direction of the slide base 20 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 42. Accordingly, in FIG. 7, one roller base 15 is fixed to the pair of sliders 43 positioned on the right side of the center line CLa in the front-rear direction of the base plate 40, and the other roller base 15 is fixed to the pair of sliders 43 positioned on the left side. Thereby, each of the roller bases 15 is supported so that it can approach and separate from each other so that the interval of the roller axis line AXr changes.

  The roller base drive mechanism 17 drives the roller base 15 along the guide rail 42, and is coaxially connected to the electric motor 52 as a roller base drive source, the output shaft 52 a of the electric motor 52, and the coupling 53. And a pair of nuts 55 screwed into male screw portions 54a and 54b of the screw shaft 54, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, the nuts 55 are respectively connected to the lower surface of the slide base 20 of the roller table 15 using bolts 56, thereby moving together with the roller table 15 in the axial direction of the screw shaft 54. The male screw portions 54a and 54b screwed into the nut 55 are provided symmetrically with respect to the center line CLa of the base plate 40, their twist directions are opposite to each other, and the screw pitches are equal to each other. And the screwing position of the nut 55 with respect to the external thread parts 54a and 54b is set so that the roller axis line AXr is located at an equal distance from the center line CLa. Therefore, when the screw shaft 54 is rotated by the motor 52, the roller base 15 is driven to open and close symmetrically across the center line CLa, and the interval between the roller axis lines AXr is enlarged or reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, the slide roller driving mechanism 18 is coaxially connected via an electric motor 60 as a restraining member driving source, an output shaft 60 a of the electric motor 60, and a coupling 61. A drive shaft (restraint member drive shaft) 62, a pair of drive pulleys 64 attached to the drive shaft 62 via a sleeve 63, and a bracket 65 at the rear end of each slide base 20 of the pair of roller bases 15. And a driven pulley 66 (see FIG. 8) rotatably attached thereto, and a belt 67 wound between each driving pulley 64 and the driven pulley 66 of each roller base 15. As shown in FIG. 9, the drive shaft 62 has a drive section 62a having a polygonal cross section, and the sleeve 63 and the drive pulley 64 are provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the drive section 62a and relatively movable in the axial direction. Further, the sleeve 63 is rotatably supported by a support 36 on the roller base 15 via a bearing 68. Therefore, the drive pulley 64 can move in the left-right direction together with the roller base 15, and can rotate integrally with the drive shaft 62 regardless of the position in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the belt 67 is disposed so as to penetrate the notch 38 a of the coupling plate 38 (see FIG. 6) of the roller base 15, and the upper portion 67 a of the belt 67 is connected to the belt retainer 69 and the belt receiver 70. It is fixed to the connecting plate 38 in a sandwiched state. As a result, the upper portion 67 a of the belt 67 and the slide roller 28 are connected to each other via the connection plate 38 and the sleeve 32. Accordingly, when the drive shaft 62 is rotated by the motor 60, the rotation is transmitted to the belt 67 via the drive pulley 64, and the linear motion of the upper portion 67 a of the belt 67 is slid through the connecting plate 38 and the sleeve 32. 28, the belt upper portion 67a and the slide roller 28 are integrally moved in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the speed and direction of the linear motion of the slide rollers 28 of the pair of roller bases 15 are equal to each other. In this example, the drive pulley 64 corresponds to a restricting member rotating body, and the drive pulley 64, the driven pulley 66, the belt 67, the belt presser 69, and the belt receiver 70 constitute a motion conversion means.

  Next, the roller rotation drive mechanism 19 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 11, the roller rotation drive mechanism 19 includes an electric motor 80 serving as a rotation drive source, and a drive that is coaxially connected to the output shaft 80 a of the electric motor 80 via a coupling 81. A shaft 82, a pair of first bevel gears 83 attached to the drive shaft 82, a pair of second bevel gears 84 that mesh with the first bevel gears 83, an intermediate gear 85 that is coaxial with the second bevel gear 84, and an intermediate gear And a driven gear 86 that meshes with 85. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive shaft 82 has a drive section 82a having a polygonal cross section, and each first bevel gear 83 is provided on the drive section 82a so as to be integrally rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction. Further, each first bevel gear 83 is rotatably supported by a support 88 via a bearing 88, and the support 88 is fixed to the slide base 20 of the roller base 15. Therefore, the first bevel gear 83 can move the drive pulley 64 in the left-right direction together with the roller base 15 and can rotate integrally with the drive shaft 82 regardless of the position in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second bevel gear 84 is coaxially and integrally attached to a gear shaft 90 parallel to the roller axis AXr, and the gear shaft 90 is attached to the support 21 of the roller table 15 via a bearing 91. It is supported rotatably. The intermediate gear 85 is coaxially fitted to the outer periphery of the second bevel gear 84 and is fixed to the second bevel gear 84 by a bolt 92. As a result, the intermediate gear 85 rotates coaxially with the second bevel gear 84. On the other hand, the driven gear 86 is coaxially fixed to the rotor 26 at the front end of the roller support shaft 25 using bolts 93. Further, the gear ratio from the first bevel gear 83 to the driven gear 86 is equal between the roller bases 15. Accordingly, when the drive shaft 82 is rotated by the motor 80, the rotation is transmitted to the rotor 26 via the bevel gears 83 and 84, the intermediate gear 85 and the driven gear 86, and thereby the respective rollers of the pair of roller bases 15. The support shaft 25 rotates in the same direction at the same speed, and the stationary roller 27, the slide roller 28, and the flanges 30 and 34 rotate integrally in the same direction at the same speed. In this example, the first bevel gear 83 corresponds to a roller rotating body, and the first bevel gear 83, the second bevel gear 84, the intermediate gear 85, the driven gear 86, the rotor 26 (including the flange 30), and the roller support shaft 25. The rotation transmission means is configured by.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the container rotation table 12 includes a photo interrupter type rotation detection device 95 for detecting the amount of rotation of the screw shaft 54 of the roller base drive mechanism 17, and a slide roller drive mechanism 18. A photo interrupter type rotation detection device 96 for detecting the rotation amount of the drive shaft 62 and a photo interrupter type rotation detection device 97 for detecting the rotation amount of the drive shaft 82 of the roller rotation drive mechanism 19 are provided. It has been. The control device of the container inspection device 1 determines the interval of the roller axis AXr based on the output of the rotation detection device 95, determines the position of the slide roller 28 based on the output of the rotation detection device 96, and the determination results thereof. Based on the above, the motor 52 of the roller base driving mechanism 17 and the motor 60 of the slide roller driving mechanism 18 are set so that the distance between the roller axis line AXr and the distance between the flanges 30 and 34 become values suitable for the outer diameter and height of the container 3. Control the behavior. Further, when the container 3 is inspected, the rotation amount of the container 3 is determined based on the output of the rotation detecting device 97, and the roller rotation driving mechanism 19 is rotated so that the container 3 is rotated by an amount suitable for each of the inspection positions P1 to P6. The operation of the motor 80 is controlled. Hereinafter, the operation of the container turntable 12 controlled by the control device of the container inspection apparatus 1 will be specifically described.

  When the container 3 is carried into the carry-in position Pin by the carry-in device 4, in the container turntable 12 at the carry-in position Pin, the roller table 15 is driven in the left-right direction by the roller table driving mechanism 17, so that the interval between the roller axes AXr is 3 is adjusted to a value suitable for the outer diameter. In parallel with this, the slide roller 28 is driven in the front-rear direction by the slide roller driving mechanism 18, so that the interval between the flanges 30 and 34 is adjusted to a value sufficient to receive the container 3 from the loading device 4. When the container 3 is mounted between the roller bases 15, the slide roller 28 is driven forward so that the distance between the flanges 30, 34 substantially coincides with the height of the container 3, whereby the upper end of the container 3 is moved to the front flange 30. While being abutted and positioned in the front-rear direction, the container 3 is sandwiched between the flanges 30 and 34. Thus, the support operation of the container 3 at the carry-in position Pin is completed. Such a support state is maintained until the container turntable 12 reaches the carry-out position Pout.

  At the inspection positions P1 to P6, the roller support shaft 25 is rotationally driven by the roller rotation drive mechanism 19, whereby the container 3 supported by the rollers 27 and 28 rotates around the container axis AXc. The rotation amount of the container 3 is controlled to a value suitable for the inspection performed at each of the inspection positions P1 to P6. For example, when the entire circumference inspection of the container 3 is performed, the rotation amount is set to 360 ° at the minimum. When the container rotary table 12 moves to the carry-out position Pout, the slide roller 28 is driven rearward by the slide roller driving mechanism 18 and the restraint of the container 3 by the flanges 30 and 34 is released. Thereafter, the carry-out device 5 sucks the container 3, lifts the container 3 from the container turntable 12, and transfers the sucked container 3 to the carry-out conveyor 6B. However, the container 3 determined to be defective in the inspection is discharged to another defective product conveyor (not shown).

  In addition, you may discriminate | determine the outer diameter and height of the container 3 carried in to the carrying-in apparatus Pin by an appropriate method. For example, when unifying the outer diameter and height of the containers 3 for each row of the carry-in conveyor 6A, the controller 3 of the container inspection apparatus 1 is instructed in advance to the outer diameter and height of the containers 3 that are flowed to each row, From which row the carry-in device 4 picks up the container 3 is obtained from the carry-in device 4, and the roller base 15 and the slide roller 28 are moved to a position suitable for the outer diameter and height associated with the obtained row. You can do it. The container 3 is provided with an index such as a barcode or an IC tag that records information for specifying the outer diameter and height, and when the container 3 is taken into the loading position Pin, the outer diameter and height are discriminated from the index. The roller base 15 and the slide roller 28 may be moved to a position corresponding to the determination result.

  According to the container turntable 12 described above, since the container 3 is mounted in a state of being horizontally tilted between the roller bases 15, there is no possibility that the container 3 will fall during transportation or inspection, and the stability of the container 3 is high. . By driving the roller table 15 by the roller table driving mechanism 17 and changing the interval of the roller axis AXr, the containers 3 having various outer diameters from the maximum container 3A to the minimum container 3B are placed on the stationary roller 27 and the slide roller 28. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the components such as the roller base 15 according to the outer diameter of the container 3 or to adjust the position manually. By changing the interval of the roller axis AXr, the position where the rollers 27 and 28 are in contact with the outer periphery of the container 3 is changed in the circumferential direction of the container 3, thereby setting the support position of the container 3 to a desired position in the vertical direction. be able to. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the inspection target positions of the largest container 3A and the smallest container 3B (in the illustrated example, near the lower end of the opening) can be aligned with the certain region A. Further, by driving the slide roller 28 back and forth by the slide roller driving mechanism 18, various containers 3 having different heights can be sandwiched between the flanges 30 and 34 and stably held. In addition, by abutting the opening end of the container 3 against the flange 30, the opening end of the container 3 can be aligned at the same position with respect to the direction of the container axis AXc regardless of the height of the container 3. That is, the inspection target area A shown in FIG. 11 can be matched not only in the vertical direction but also in the direction of the container axis AXc. Furthermore, the circumference | surroundings of the opening end of the container 3 can be test | inspected over the perimeter only by monitoring the test | inspection area | region A by rotating the container 3. FIG.

  Since the flange 34 is provided integrally with the slide roller 28, the bottom side of the container 3 can be supported by the outer peripheral surface of the roller 28. In particular, in the case of a container having a large height dimension, a sufficient span can be secured between the stationary roller 27 and the slide roller 28 to enhance the stability of the container 3. By rotating the flanges 30 and 34 integrally with the rollers 27 and 28, the container 3 can be restrained in the direction of the roller axis AXr without hindering the rotation of the container 3. Each of the drive mechanisms 17, 18, and 19 drives the roller table 15, the slide roller 28, and the roller support shaft 25 using the common drive sources 52, 60, and 80 for the pair of roller tables 15. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of drive sources, simplify the configuration of the container support device 12, and reduce the effort related to control of the drive sources.

  In the container inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the inspection contents in the inspection apparatuses P1 to P6 may be arbitrarily set. As an example, the inspection of the mouth 3 of the container 3 is performed at the inspection position P1, and the mouth of the container 3 is detected at the inspection position P2. Screw inspection, inspection of the inner bottom surface of the container 3 at the inspection position P3, inspection of the outer bottom surface of the container 3 at the inspection position P4, inspection of the inner peripheral surface of the container 3 at the inspection position P5, and outer periphery of the container 3 at the inspection position P6 Each surface inspection is performed. Hereinafter, an outline of each inspection will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, illustration of the container rotation table 12 is abbreviate | omitted in FIGS. In any of the inspection positions P1 to P6, the container 3 is rotationally driven around the container axis AXc.

  FIG. 12 shows a state of inspection of the top surface 3b of the container 3 performed at the inspection position P1. In the mouthpiece surface inspection, the lower portion of the mouthpiece surface 3b of the container 3 is illuminated by the lighting device 101, and the mouthpiece surface 3b is photographed by one camera 102 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rotary table 11. Thus, an image of the entire circumference of the top surface 3b is acquired. Then, the presence or absence of defects, dirt, etc. on the top surface 3b is inspected based on the photographed image. The illumination device 101 and the camera 102 are fixed at fixed positions with respect to all the containers 3 from the largest container 3A to the smallest container 3B. The shooting range X (shooting angle of view) of the camera 102 is also constant. The interval of the roller axis line AXr is adjusted according to the outer diameter of the container 3 so that the top surface 3b of all the containers 3 falls within the photographing range X. This eliminates the need to change the position of the camera 102 in the height direction at the inspection position P1. In addition, since the top surface 3b is arranged at a fixed position in the direction of the container axis AXc regardless of the height of the container 3, it is not necessary to move the camera 102 in the optical axis direction and focus adjustment is not necessary.

  FIG. 13 shows a state of inspection of the thread surface 3c of the container 3 performed at the inspection position P2. In the thread surface inspection, the thread surface 3c of the container 3 is illuminated from above and below by the lighting devices 103 and 104, and the thread surface 3c is photographed by the two cameras 105 disposed above the container 3, An image of the entire circumference of the thread surface 3c is acquired. Based on the photographed image, the screw surface 3c is inspected for defects and dirt. The lighting devices 103 and 104 and the camera 105 are vertically adjusted according to the outer diameter of the container 3 by the lifting device 106. In this inspection, regardless of the height of the container 3, the screw surface 3c is arranged at a substantially constant position in the direction of the container axis AXc, so that the illumination devices 103 and 104 and the camera 105 are moved in the direction of the container axis AXc. There is no need. Further, it is not necessary to replace the component parts of the container turntable 12 or adjust the position manually so that the screw surfaces 3c of the containers 3 having different heights are aligned with the photographing position of the camera 105.

  FIG. 14 shows how the inner bottom surface 3d of the container 3 is inspected at the inspection position P3. In the inner bottom surface inspection, the inner bottom surface 3d of the container 3 is illuminated from the outer bottom surface 3e side and the opening 3a side of the container 3 by the lighting devices 108 and 109, respectively, and the lower part of the inner bottom surface 3d is directed to the outer peripheral side of the rotary table 11. By photographing with two arranged cameras 110, an image of the entire circumference of the inner bottom surface 3d is acquired. Then, the presence or absence of defects, dirt, etc. on the inner bottom surface 3d is inspected based on the photographed image. The lighting devices 108 and 109 are fixed at a fixed position regardless of the outer diameter and height of the container 3. On the other hand, since the camera 110 needs to maintain a substantially constant distance from the inner bottom surface 3d of the container 3 with respect to the direction of the container axis AXc, the position of the camera 110 is adjusted in the direction of the container axis AXc according to the height of the container 3 by the slide device 111. Is done. However, regardless of the outer diameter of the container 3, the lower part of the inner bottom surface 3 d is arranged at substantially the same height, so that it is not necessary to move the camera 110 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 15 shows how the outer bottom surface 3e of the container 3 is inspected at the inspection position P4. In the outer bottom surface inspection, the outer bottom surface 3e of the container 3 is illuminated from the outer bottom surface 3e side and the opening 3a side of the container 3 by the lighting devices 113, 114, and 115, respectively, and the lower part of the outer bottom surface 3e is the inner part of the rotary table 11. An image of the entire circumference of the outer bottom surface 3e is acquired by photographing with the two cameras 116 disposed on the circumferential side. Based on the photographed image, the outer bottom surface 3e is inspected for defects and dirt. The lighting device 115 on the opening 3a side is fixed at a fixed position regardless of the outer diameter and height of the container 3. On the other hand, the lighting devices 113 and 114 and the camera 116 on the outer bottom surface 3e side need to maintain a substantially constant distance from the outer bottom surface 3e of the container 3 in the direction of the container axis AXc. Accordingly, the position is adjusted in the direction of the container axis AXc. However, regardless of the outer diameter of the container 3, the lower part of the outer bottom surface 3 e is disposed at substantially the same height, so that it is not necessary to move the illumination devices 113 and 114 and the camera 116 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 16 shows a state of inspection of the inner peripheral surface 3f of the container 3 performed at the inspection position P5. In the inner peripheral surface inspection, the inner peripheral surface 3f of the container 3 is illuminated from the outer peripheral surface 3g side and the opening 3a side of the container 3 by the lighting devices 120 and 121, respectively. Images of the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 3f are acquired by photographing with the four cameras 122 to 125 arranged on the outer circumferential side. Based on the photographed image, the inner peripheral surface 3f is inspected for defects, dirt, and the like. The lighting devices 120 and 121 and the cameras 122 to 125 are vertically adjusted by the lifting device 126 according to the outer diameter of the container 3. However, since the position of the opening 3a of the container 3 is aligned regardless of the height of the container 3, it is not necessary to move the illumination device 121 and the cameras 122 to 125 in the direction of the container axis AXc. With respect to the illumination device 120 as well, it is not necessary to adjust the position in the direction of the container axis AXc by setting the illumination range in accordance with the maximum container 3A having the maximum height dimension.

  FIG. 17 shows a state of inspection of the outer peripheral surface 3g of the container 3 performed at the inspection position P6. In the outer peripheral surface inspection, the outer peripheral surface 3g of the container 3 is illuminated by the illuminating device 130 disposed above the container 3, and the outer peripheral surface 3g is captured by the three cameras 131 to 133 disposed above the container 3. By photographing, an image of the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 3g is acquired. Based on the photographed image, the outer peripheral surface 3g is inspected for defects, dirt, and the like. The cameras 131 to 133 are provided so as to shoot the outer peripheral surface 3g of the largest container 3A in three parts, and the camera 131 on the opening 3a side is provided so that the outer peripheral surface 3g of the smallest container 3B can be photographed by one unit. ing. The lighting device 130 and the cameras 131 to 133 are vertically adjusted by the lifting device 134 according to the outer diameter of the container 3. However, it is not necessary to adjust the positions of the cameras 131 to 133 in the direction of the container axis AXc. It is not necessary to adjust the position of the illumination device 130 in the direction of the container axis AXc by setting the illumination range according to the maximum container 3A.

  As described above, according to the container inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the container axis AXc is directed in the radial direction of the rotary table 11, so that the mouthpiece surface 3 b and the screw surface provided on the opening 3 a side of the container 3. 3c, the inner bottom surface 3d, the outer bottom surface 3e, and the inner peripheral surface 3f can be inspected from the outer peripheral side or inner peripheral side of the circular track 10, and the outer peripheral surface 3g of the container 3 can be inspected from above the circular track 10. Moreover, it is not necessary to move the inspection devices such as the lighting device and the camera, or it is only necessary to move them in one direction, and it is not necessary to move these inspection devices in two or more directions. Therefore, the configuration necessary for installing the inspection device is simplified. Furthermore, by directing the opening 3a of the container 3 to the outer periphery of the orbit 10, the inspection device can be arranged using a sufficient space generated on the outer periphery side of the rotary table 11, and the arrangement of these inspection devices. There are also few restrictions regarding.

  Next, the stopper device 8 provided in the carry-in device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The stopper device 8 includes a base 200 provided along the carrying direction of the carry-in conveyor 6A, and a support shaft 202 that is rotatably mounted on the base 200 via supports 201a and 201b. A bush 203 is attached to the support shaft 202 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the support shaft 202. The bush 203 and the support shaft 202 mesh with each other via a slide key (not shown), and a rotary actuator 205 is connected to one end of the support shaft 202. Further, a stopper pin 206 is attached to the bush 203. By rotating the support shaft 202 with the rotary actuator 205, the stopper pin 206 is positioned horizontally (see FIG. 1) so as to protrude on the transfer surface of the carry-in conveyor 6A, and from the transfer surface of the carry-in conveyor 6A. It revolves and rotates between the position (FIG. 18) stood in the vertical direction. The bush 203 is engaged with an annular groove 207 a of the disk 207, and the disk 207 is coaxially connected to the piston rod 208 a of the air cylinder 208 via a connecting shaft 209. Accordingly, the position of the stopper pin 206 in the carrying direction of the carry-in conveyor 6A can be changed by the expansion and contraction operation of the air cylinder 208. When the container 3 is carried in, the stopper pin 206 is moved to a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the container 3 by the air cylinder 208, and the stopper pin 206 is tilted behind the container 3 on the transport surface by the actuator 205. Accordingly, the container 3 can be sandwiched between the suction device 7 and the stopper pin 206, and the container 3 can be reliably sucked by the suction device 7.

  The present invention is not limited to the above forms, and can be implemented in various forms. In the container support device, each of the pair of roller platforms may have at least one roller. For example, only the stationary roller 27 is provided as a roller for supporting the container 3, and only the flange 34 that can be moved in the roller axis direction is provided on the roller axis instead of the slide roller 28, and this is the same as the slide roller driving mechanism 18. The drive mechanism may be driven in the roller axis direction. If the height of the container is constant or the difference is small even if the height changes, and if it is not necessary to adjust the distance between the flanges 30 and 34 in the container axial direction, the slide roller drive mechanism 18 is omitted and the flange 34 The position may be fixed in the direction of the roller axis AXr. Alternatively, the flanges 30 and 34 may be omitted. The restraining member for sandwiching the container in the direction of the container axis is not limited to the flange-shaped member, but may be any other shape such as a pin, and the restraining member is offset from the roller support shaft to be unrotatable on the roller base 15. It may be provided. The roller support shaft 25 of each roller base 15 may function as a roller. The restraining members such as the flanges 30 and 34 may be provided only on one of the roller bases 15. Even when a plurality of rollers are provided on the roller base 15, only some of the rollers may be rotationally driven by the roller rotation driving mechanism, and the remaining rollers may be idled.

  The roller base driving mechanism, the restraining member driving mechanism, and the roller rotation driving mechanism of the present invention are not limited to the roller base driving mechanism 17, the slide roller driving mechanism 18, and the roller rotation driving mechanism 19 described above, and various modifications are possible. It is. For example, the roller base drive mechanism 17 is not limited to the one using screw shafts and nuts, and both side portions of an annular traveling body such as a belt and a chain are individually connected to the roller base, and the roller bases are equal to each other in opposite directions. It may be driven. In the restraint member driving mechanism, a pinion may be provided as the restraint member rotating body, and the motion conversion means may be configured to convert the pinion into a linear motion of the restraint member by the rack. Alternatively, the motion conversion means is configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member for the restraining member into a rotational motion in the roller axis direction using a bevel gear or the like, and to convert the rotational motion into a linear motion of the restraining member by a screw mechanism. Also good. In the roller rotation drive mechanism, various rotation transmission means such as a winding transmission means and a friction wheel may be provided instead of or in addition to the motion transmission means by the gear train.

The number of inspection positions in the container inspection apparatus is not limited to six, and the number may be increased or decreased as necessary. In the above embodiment rotates the container at all inspection position, but as long as an inspection by rotating the container in the inspection position of at least any one can be used effectively container supporting device. The conveying means is not limited to that using a rotary table, and conveying means having various configurations may be used. The transport track by the transport means is not limited to a circular track, but may be an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or a circular track in which a straight portion and a curved portion are appropriately combined, or may be a straight or curved transport track. Container inspecting containers equipment of the present invention targets may have a cylindrical portion at least a portion thereof. For example, the opening of the container may be narrowed down. In the case where the transport track is configured as a circular track, not only the example in which the opening of the container is directed to the outer peripheral side of the circular track, the bottom surface side of the container may be directed to the outer peripheral side of the circular track.

The top view of the principal part of the container inspection apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention. The front view of the container inspection apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention. The right view of the container inspection apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention. The top view of the container rotation table which concerns on one form of a container support apparatus. The left view of a container rotation table. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container rotation table along the VI-VI line of FIG. The horizontal sectional view of the container rotation table along the VII-VII line of FIG. The rear view of a container rotation table. The cross-sectional view of the container rotary table along the IX-IX line of FIG. The cross-sectional view of the container turntable along the XX line of FIG. The cross-sectional view of the container turntable along the XI-XI line of FIG. The figure which shows the mode of the mouth top surface inspection of a container. The figure which shows the mode of the thread surface test | inspection of a container. The figure which shows the mode of the inner bottom test | inspection of a container. The figure which shows the mode of the outer bottom face inspection of a container. The figure which shows the mode of an internal peripheral surface inspection of a container. The figure which shows the mode of the outer peripheral surface inspection of a container. The axial direction sectional drawing of the stopper apparatus provided in the carrying-in apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container inspection apparatus 3 Container 4 Carry-in apparatus 5 Carry-out apparatus 6A Carry-in conveyor 6B Carry-out conveyor 7 Adsorption apparatus 8 Stopper apparatus 10 Circulation track (transport track)
11 Rotary table (conveying means)
12 Container turntable (container support device)
15 Roller base 16 Roller base support mechanism 17 Roller base drive mechanism 18 Slide roller drive mechanism (restraint member drive mechanism)
19 Roller rotation drive mechanism 25 Roller support shaft (rotation transmission means)
26 Rotor (Rotation transmission means)
27 Stationary roller 28 Slide roller (movable roller)
30 Flange (restraint member)
34 Flange (restraint member)
52 Electric motor (roller base drive source)
54 Screw shaft 54a, 54b Male thread portion 55 Nut 60 Electric motor (restraint member drive source)
62 Drive shaft (restraint member drive shaft)
64 Drive pulley (rotating body for restraint member, motion conversion means)
66 Driven pulley (motion conversion means)
67 Belt (motion conversion means)
69 Belt presser (motion conversion means)
70 Belt receiver (motion conversion means)
80 Electric motor (rotary drive source)
82 Drive shaft (rotary drive shaft)
83 1st bevel gear (rotor for roller, rotation transmission means)
84 Second bevel gear (rotation transmission means)
85 Intermediate gear (rotation transmission means)
86 Driven gear (rotation transmission means)
AXc Container axis AXr Roller axis P1 to P6 Inspection position

Claims (8)

A container provided with transport means for transporting a container having a cylindrical portion along a predetermined transport track, and inspecting by rotating the container around its container axis at at least one inspection position set along the transport track In the inspection apparatus, the container is rotated around the container axis while supporting the container in a state where the container axis is tilted so as to face the direction crossing the transport track on the transport unit. A container support device is provided ,
The container support device includes:
Each of the rollers has at least one roller rotatable around a roller axis extending in a direction crossing the transporting track, and can support a container that is tilted so that the container axis is directed in the direction of the roller axis between the rollers. A pair of roller bases arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis,
A roller base support mechanism that supports each of the pair of roller bases so that the distance between the roller axis lines can be moved toward and away from each other.
A roller base drive mechanism that drives each of the pair of roller bases in directions opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis to change the interval between the roller axes; and
A roller rotation drive mechanism for rotating at least one roller about the roller axis;
A pair of restraining member movable provided at least the rollers on either one of the rollers stand so as to sandwich in the direction of the roller axis, and one of them in the direction of the front Symbol roller axis,
A restraint member drive mechanism that drives the one restraint member in the direction of the roller axis to change the distance between the pair of restraint members ;
Container inspection system comprising the. The roller table provided with the pair of restraining members includes, as the rollers, a stationary roller that is fixed at a fixed position with respect to the direction of the roller axis, and one roller that is disposed on one side of the stationary roller. A movable roller movable in the direction, the one restraining member is provided so as to move integrally with the movable roller in the direction of the roller axis, and the other restraining member is disposed on the other side of the stationary roller. The container inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the container inspection device is fixed at a fixed position in the direction of the roller axis. The container inspection according to claim 2 , wherein the pair of restraining members are provided on each of the pair of roller bases, and the positions of the pair of restraining members in the roller axial direction are equal to each other between the roller bases. apparatus. The restraint member drive mechanism is integrated with the restraint member drive shaft that extends in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis, a restraint member drive source that drives the restraint member drive shaft about the axis, and the restraint member drive shaft. A pair of restraining members which are rotatably connected to the restraining member drive shaft and are connected to each of the pair of roller bases so as to be integrally movable in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis. A pair of motion converting means for converting the rotational motion of the rotating body for rotation and the pair of rotational members for the restraining member into the same speed and linear motion in the same direction of the roller axial direction of the one restraining member; The container inspection apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising: The conveyor track is configured as orbit, in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said one restraining member is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the orbit than the other of the restraining member The container inspection apparatus as described. The pair of the restraining member is formed in the roller coaxial with the flange-shaped, the roller rotation drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotating the pair of restraining members about said roller axis with said roller The container inspection apparatus according to any one of the above. The roller base drive mechanism includes a screw shaft having a pair of male screw portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis, having a screw pitch equal to each other and a twist direction opposite to each other, and the screw shaft extending from the axis. A roller base drive source that rotates around and a pair of roller bases that are connected to each other so as to be able to move integrally in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis, and that engage with the pair of male screw portions of the screw shaft, respectively. A container inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , comprising a pair of nuts. The roller rotation drive mechanism includes a rotation drive shaft that extends in a direction orthogonal to the roller axis, a rotation drive source that drives the rotation drive shaft about the axis, and can rotate integrally with the rotation drive shaft. A pair of roller rotators which are provided so as to be movable along the rotation drive shaft, and are connected to each of the pair of roller bases so as to be integrally movable in a direction perpendicular to the roller axis; and And a pair of rotation transmitting means for transmitting the rotational movements of the pair of roller rotating bodies to the rollers of the pair of roller bases so that the speed and the rotation direction are equal to each other. The container inspection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7 .

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