JP7354887B2 - Maintenance method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a maintenance method.

2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray inspection apparatus has been developed that irradiates an object with X-rays to detect defects or defects in the object (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2019-023664A

An X-ray inspection apparatus can be considered that is designed to irradiate X-rays from above onto a subject set at an inspection location. Such an X-ray inspection apparatus has a built-in unit containing an X-ray source. Furthermore, it is conceivable that this unit is not heavy enough to be easily carried by humans. Therefore, when the unit is removed from a fixed location for maintenance, the removal work is expected to be complicated from the standpoint of safety or reliability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to enable easy maintenance of a unit including an X-ray source that is placed above an examination location where a subject is set. The aim is to provide the technology to

The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

That is, a maintenance method according to one aspect of the present invention is a maintenance method for a unit that is provided inside an X-ray inspection apparatus and includes an X-ray source that irradiates X-rays toward a subject, the method comprising: includes an entrance that allows the subject to be carried into the X-ray inspection apparatus from outside the X-ray inspection apparatus, and a transport unit that transports the subject carried through the entrance to an examination location. The unit is fixed to a predetermined portion of the X-ray inspection apparatus above the inspection location, and a support step of supporting the unit by a support device placed on the carrying part; a detachment step in which the unit supported by the support device is detached from the predetermined portion; and in the detachment step, the support device supporting the unit detached from the predetermined portion is placed on the transport portion. The method includes a moving step of moving the unit to the carrying-in port, and a carrying-out step of carrying out the unit supported by the support device that was moved to the carrying-in port in the moving step from the carrying-in port.

According to this configuration, when the unit fixed to the predetermined portion above the inspection location is removed from the predetermined portion, the unit is supported by the support device. Therefore, detachment of the unit can be easily executed. By moving the support device that supports the detached unit on the transport section that transports the subject, the unit can be easily moved to the vicinity of the entrance. The unit can then be carried out from the carry-in port. This configuration allows the unit, which is placed above the inspection location where the subject is set, to be easily transported from the inside of the X-ray inspection apparatus to the outside, making it easy to maintain the unit. It is.

In the maintenance method according to the above aspect, the unit includes a first part having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the lower surface of which is arranged to face the subject, and a second part that protrudes from the lower surface toward the subject. , a third portion that protrudes toward the subject from the lower surface and is provided in parallel with the second portion; A support part having a surface that faces and is in close proximity to the lower surface or comes into contact with the lower surface when placed on the transport part at the inspection location, connects the table and the support part, and further includes a link mechanism that allows the supporting section to be moved; and an operating section that can operate the movement of the supporting section; A notch may be provided that penetrates through and allows the second portion and the third portion to be placed when the lower surface and the surface supporting the unit are close to or in contact with each other.

According to this configuration, when the lower surface of the unit including the X-ray source is in contact with the surface of the support device that supports the unit, the unit is supported from below by the support device. Therefore, it becomes easy to attach and detach the unit from the fixed location. Therefore, the unit including the X-ray source can be easily maintained. Furthermore, the height of the surface supporting the unit can be easily adjusted by operating the operating section. Therefore, even if the lower surface of the unit and the surface supporting the unit are close to each other without being in contact with each other, the lower surface of the unit and the surface supporting the unit can be easily brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the unit can be easily supported by the support device. Further, a notch in which the second portion and the third portion can be placed is provided in the support portion. Therefore, even if the unit has a second portion and a third portion that protrude in the direction toward the examination location of the subject, the support device can support the unit.

The maintenance method according to the above aspect may further include a sliding step of sliding the unit, which has been detached from the predetermined portion in the detachment step and is supported by the support device, on a surface that supports the unit. .

According to this configuration, the unit can be slid to a location where support by the support device is stable. Therefore, the unit is reliably supported by the support device while the support device is being moved to the loading port on the transporting part in the moving process. Therefore, the unit is prevented from falling off the support portion, and the safety or reliability of maintenance of the unit is ensured.

Note that the means for solving the above problems in the present invention can be used in combination as much as possible.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily maintain a unit including an X-ray source that is placed above an examination location where a subject is set.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a maintenance device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an outline of the internal structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the process of removing and maintaining the unit of the X-ray inspection apparatus. FIG. 4 shows an outline of carrying out the unit to the outside of the X-ray inspection apparatus using maintenance equipment.

§1 Configuration example [Hardware configuration]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a maintenance device 1 according to this embodiment. The maintenance device 1 is a device that can support a unit 52 including an X-ray source included in an X-ray inspection apparatus 50, which will be described later, when the unit 52 is removed from a fixed location. Note that predetermined maintenance is performed on the removed unit 52. Moreover, the maintenance equipment 1 is an example of the "support device" of the present invention.

FIG. 1(A) shows an example of the state of the maintenance equipment 1. FIG. 1(B) shows the case where the support part 3 is raised from the state of FIG. 1(A). In addition, in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the support part 3 is assumed to be the X direction, as shown in FIG. 1(A). Further, the lateral direction of the support portion 3 is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction.

The maintenance device 1 includes a stand 2, a support portion 3 that supports a unit 52, and a link mechanism 5. The base 2 and the support section 3 are connected via a link mechanism 5. Here, the upper surface of the support portion 3 has a flat plate shape. Then, the support part 3 has a notch extending from the edge in the +X direction toward the center so that the support part 3 has a U-shape when the upper surface of the support part 3 is viewed from above (+Z direction). 12 are provided. Further, on the upper surfaces of both sides of the notch 12 in the Y direction of the support portion 3, sliding plates 4 with high sliding properties (an example of the "unit supporting surface" of the present invention) are provided. Note that lubricating oil may be applied to the upper surface of the support portion 3 instead of the sliding plate 4.

The maintenance device 1 also includes a shaft 6. The shaft 6 is a so-called feed screw, and is fixed to the base 2 so as to pass through both side surfaces of the base 2 perpendicular to the X direction. Note that bearings for receiving the shaft 6 are provided on both side surfaces of the base 2 through which the shaft 6 passes. Further, the shaft 6 passes through a link 5A (a part of the link mechanism 5) arranged inside the stand 2 in the X direction. Here, a groove into which the shaft 6 is threaded is carved in the portion of the link 5A through which the shaft 6 passes. The position of the link 5A in the X direction is moved by rotating the shaft 6 around the X direction. When the position of the link 5A in the X direction moves, the link mechanism 5 causes the support portion 3 to move in the Z direction. More specifically, for example, when the link 5A moves in the −X direction, the support portion 3 rises in the +Z direction. On the other hand, when the link 5A moves in the +X direction, the support section 3 descends in the -Z direction.

The maintenance device 1 also includes a handle 11 . The handle 11 is connected to the shaft 6. When the handle 11 is rotated, for example, clockwise around the X direction, the shaft 6 is rotated in the same direction. When the shaft 6 rotates clockwise in this manner, the link 5A moves in the -X direction. In such a case, the support portion 3 will rise in the +Z direction, as shown in FIG. 1(B). Conversely, if the handle 11 is rotated counterclockwise around the X direction from the state shown in FIG. 1(B), the shaft 6 will rotate in the same direction. When the shaft 6 rotates counterclockwise in this manner, the link 5A moves in the +X direction. Therefore, the support portion 3 descends in the −Z direction and returns to the state shown in FIG. 1(A). Note that the handle 11 is an example of the "operation section" of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the internal structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 is provided with an entrance 59 through which a subject can be carried into the apparatus from outside. Furthermore, the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 includes a belt conveyor 51 (an example of the "conveying section" of the present invention) that extends to the vicinity of the entrance 59. The belt conveyor 51 can place a subject carried in through the entrance 59, and automatically transports the placed subject to an examination location. The X-ray inspection apparatus 50 also includes a unit 52 containing an X-ray source above the belt conveyor 51. The unit 52 includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body 58, an X-ray irradiator 53 that protrudes from the lower surface of the main body 58 in the direction of the belt conveyor 51, and irradiates the subject with X-rays; A camera 54 is provided side by side and similarly protrudes from the lower surface of the main body part 58 in the direction of the belt conveyor 51. Here, the camera 54 images the location of the subject before being irradiated with X-rays. The captured image is used to correct the position of the unit 52. That is, by comparing the position of the subject in the captured image and the appropriate position, the difference between the current position of the unit 52 and the appropriate position is determined. Then, the unit 52 is automatically moved to an appropriate position based on the determined difference. Note that the main body portion 58 is an example of the “first portion” of the present invention. Furthermore, the X-ray irradiation section 53 is an example of the "second portion" of the present invention. Further, the camera 54 is an example of the "third portion" of the present invention.

Furthermore, the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 includes a rail 55 (an example of the "predetermined portion" of the present invention) further above the unit 52 when viewed from the belt conveyor 51. The rail 55 is provided along the belt conveyor 51. In the rail 55, a part of the unit 52 is fitted into the rail 55 in a state where it is in contact with the rail 55. The X-ray inspection apparatus 50 also includes a drive section 57. The drive section 57 is connected to the unit 52 via a bolt 56. The drive section 57 receives the drive instruction signal and moves the unit 52 connected thereto. Therefore, when a drive instruction signal for driving the unit 52 to the proper position is generated from the difference information between the current position of the unit 52 and the proper position, and this signal is input to the drive section 57, the unit 52 moves to the proper position. Move automatically. Note that the weight of the unit 52 is, for example, about 10 kg. Further, the housing shapes of the X-ray irradiation unit 53 and the camera 54 are, for example, cylindrical.

FIG. 3 shows an overview of the process of removing and maintaining the unit 52 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50.

(S101)
In step S101, the operation mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 is switched from measurement mode to maintenance mode. Unit 52 then automatically moves along rail 55 to a suitable position for removal.

(S102)
In step S102, the maintenance equipment 1 is placed on the belt conveyor 51 located below the unit 52. FIG. 4 shows an outline of how the maintenance equipment 1 is placed on the belt conveyor 51. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the X-ray irradiation section 53 and camera 54 protruding from the main body 58 of the unit 52 in the direction of the belt conveyor 51 are arranged in the notch 12 of the maintenance equipment 1. The maintenance equipment 1 is placed. By setting the maintenance device 1 in this manner, the lower surface of the main body portion 58 of the unit 52 and the upper surface of the sliding plate 4 of the maintenance device 1 come close to each other.

(S103)
In step S103, the height of the support part 3 of the maintenance equipment 1 placed in step S102 is roughly adjusted, so that the sliding plate 4 is brought into almost contact with the lower surface of the main body part 58. Rough adjustment of the height of the support portion 3 is achieved by rotating the handle 11. Note that step S103 is an example of the "supporting step" of the present invention.

(S104)
In step S104, the bolts 56 connecting the unit 52 and the driving part 57 are removed while the sliding plate 4 is substantially in contact with the lower surface of the main body part 58 in step S103. Note that step S104 is an example of the "withdrawal step" of the present invention.

(S105)
In step S105, the height of the support portion 3 is finally adjusted by rotating the handle 11. Such a process ensures that the sliding plate 4 comes into contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 58.

(S106)
In step S106, the unit 52 is slid on the sliding plate 4. Such work is performed in order to slide the unit 52 to a location where it can be stably supported by the maintenance equipment 1. Note that step S106 is an example of the "slide step" of the present invention.

(S107)
In step S107, the support part 3 is lowered by rotating the handle 11 counterclockwise while the unit 52 is stably supported by the maintenance equipment 1 in step S106. By such work, the portion of the unit 52 that is fitted with the rail 55 is separated from the rail 55.

(S108)
In step S108, the maintenance equipment 1 is moved on the belt conveyor 51 to the vicinity of the entrance 59. Through such work, the unit 52 supported by the maintenance equipment 1 is also moved to the vicinity of the loading port 59. Note that step S108 is an example of the "moving step" of the present invention.

(S109)
In step S109, the unit 52 supported by the maintenance device 1 is removed from the rail 55 after the maintenance device 1 has moved to the vicinity of the entrance 59 in step S108. The removed unit 52 is then carried out of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 through the carry-in port 59. Thereafter, various types of maintenance are performed on the unit 52 that has been taken out. Note that step S109 is an example of the "unloading process" of the present invention.

[Action/Effect]
According to the maintenance equipment 1 described above, when the lower surface of the main body 58 of the unit 52 including the X-ray source is in contact with the sliding plate 4 of the maintenance equipment 1, the unit 52 is moved downward by the maintenance equipment 1. Supported by Therefore, it becomes easy to attach and detach the unit 52 from the rail 55 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50. Further, by moving the maintenance equipment 1 supporting the detached unit 52 on the belt conveyor 51, the unit 52 can be easily moved to the vicinity of the loading port 59. The unit 52 can then be carried out of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 through the carry-in port 59. Such maintenance equipment 1 makes it possible to easily maintain the unit 52 fixed to the rail 55 above the inspection location.

Further, according to the maintenance device 1 as described above, the height of the sliding plate 4 of the unit 52 can be easily adjusted by operating the handle 11. Therefore, as shown in step S102, even if the lower surface of the main body 58 of the unit 52 and the sliding plate 4 are close to each other without contacting each other, as shown in step S103 or step S105, By rotating the handle 11, the lower surface of the main body portion 58 and the sliding plate 4 can be easily brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the unit 52 can be easily supported by the maintenance equipment 1.

Moreover, according to the maintenance equipment 1 as described above, the support part 3 is provided with the notch 12 in which the X-ray irradiation part 53 and the camera 54 can be placed. Therefore, even if the unit 52 includes the X-ray irradiation section 53 and the camera 54 that protrude in the direction of the belt conveyor 51, the maintenance equipment 1 allows the sliding plate 4 to support the lower surface of the main body section 58 of the unit 52. Can be done.

Further, according to the maintenance device 1 as described above, the sliding plate 4 comes into contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 58 of the unit 52 as shown in step S105. Therefore, the unit 52 can be slid on the sliding plate 4 as shown in step S106. Therefore, it is possible to easily slide the unit 52 to a location where it can be stably supported by the maintenance equipment 1. Therefore, while the maintenance equipment 1 is being moved on the belt conveyor 51 in step S108, the unit 52 is reliably supported by the maintenance equipment 1. Therefore, the unit 52 is prevented from falling off the sliding plate 4, and the safety or reliability of maintenance of the unit 52 is ensured.

Note that the maintenance device 1 may not be provided with the sliding plate 4. Then, in step S106, it is not necessary to slide the unit 52 on the sliding plate 4 while the sliding plate 4 is in contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 58. Moreover, the forms of the X-ray inspection apparatus 50 and the unit 52 are not limited to the forms described above. The unit 52 only needs to be installed above the testing location of the subject.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above descriptions are merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the matters described in the embodiments and modified examples disclosed above can be combined.

Note that in order to make it possible to compare the constituent features of the present invention and the configurations of the embodiments, the constituent features of the present invention will be described below with reference numerals in the drawings.
<Additional note 1>
A method for maintaining a unit (52) that is provided inside an X-ray inspection device (50) and includes an X-ray source that irradiates X-rays toward a subject,
The X-ray inspection device (50) includes:
an entrance (59) through which the subject can be carried into the X-ray inspection apparatus (50) from the outside of the X-ray inspection apparatus (50);
a transportation unit (51) that transports the subject brought in through the entrance (59) to a testing location;
The unit (52) is fixed to a predetermined part of the X-ray inspection apparatus (50) above the inspection location,
a supporting step (S103) in which the unit (52) is supported by the support device (1) placed on the transport section (51);
a detachment step (S104) of detaching the unit (52) supported by the support device (1) in the support step (S103) from the predetermined portion;
Movement of moving the support device (1) supporting the unit (52) detached from the predetermined portion in the detachment step (S104) to the loading port (59) on the transport section (51). Step (S108),
an unloading step (S109) of unloading the unit (52) supported by the support device (1) that has been moved to the loading port (59) in the moving step (S108) from the loading port (59); ,including,
Maintenance method.
<Additional note 2>
The unit (52) includes:
a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped first portion (58) arranged such that its lower surface faces the subject;
a second portion (53) protruding toward the subject from the lower surface;
a third portion (54) that protrudes toward the subject from the lower surface and is provided in line with the second portion (53);
The support device (1) includes:
a stand (2) that can be placed on the transport section (51);
a support part (3) having a surface that faces and approaches the lower surface or comes into contact with the lower surface when the table (2) is placed on the transport section (51) at the inspection location;
a link mechanism that connects the stand (2) and the support part (3) and further allows the support part (3) to move in the support direction;
an operation section (11) capable of operating the movement of the support section (3);
The support portion (3) penetrates the surface (4) that supports the unit (52) in a direction perpendicular to the surface (4) that supports the unit (52), and the lower surface and the surface (4) that supports the unit (52) are close to or in contact with each other. A notch (12) is provided in which the second portion (53) and the third portion (54) can be placed when they are in contact with each other;
Maintenance method described in Appendix 1.
<Additional note 3>
A slide for sliding the unit (52), which has been detached from the predetermined portion in the detachment step (S104) and is supported by the support device (1), on a surface (4) that supports the unit (52). further comprising a step (S106);
Maintenance method described in Appendix 2.

1: Maintenance equipment 2: Base 3: Support part 4: Sliding plate 5: Link mechanism 5A: Link 6: Shaft 11: Handle 12: Notch 50: X-ray inspection device 51: Belt conveyor 52: Unit 53: X-ray Irradiation section 54: Camera 55: Rail 56: Bolt 57: Drive section 58: Main body section 59: Loading entrance

Claims (3)

A method for maintaining a unit provided inside an X-ray inspection device and including an X-ray source that irradiates X-rays toward a subject, the method comprising:
The X-ray inspection device includes:
an entrance through which the subject can be carried into the X-ray inspection apparatus from outside the X-ray inspection apparatus;
a transportation unit that transports the subject brought in from the entrance to a testing location,
The unit is fixed to a predetermined part of the X-ray inspection apparatus above the inspection location,
a supporting step of supporting the unit with a support device placed on the carrier;
a detachment step of detaching the unit supported by the support device in the support step from the predetermined portion;
a moving step of moving the support device supporting the unit detached from the predetermined portion in the detachment step to the loading entrance on the transport section;
an unloading step of unloading the unit supported by the support device that has been moved to the loading port in the moving step from the loading port;
Maintenance method. The unit is
a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped first portion arranged such that its lower surface faces the subject;
a second portion protruding toward the subject from the lower surface;
a third portion that protrudes toward the subject from the lower surface and is provided in line with the second portion;
The support device is
a stand that can be placed on the transport section;
a support portion having a surface that faces and approaches the lower surface or comes into contact with the lower surface when the table is placed on the transport section at the inspection location;
a link mechanism that connects the stand and the support part and further allows the support part to move in the support direction;
an operation section that can operate the movement of the support section,
The supporting portion penetrates in a direction orthogonal to a surface that supports the unit, and the second portion and the third portion are arranged when the lower surface and the surface that supports the unit are close to or in contact with each other. A possible cutout is provided,
The maintenance method according to claim 1. further comprising a sliding step of sliding the unit, which has been separated from the predetermined portion in the detachment step and is supported by the support device, on a surface that supports the unit;
The maintenance method according to claim 2.

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