JPH01197253A - Optical detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the light input to a circuit from a light source by forming the upper side of a light source installing surface in an upward incline to the conveying direction placing a slight interval to the conveying route of a substance to detect, and forming the upper side of the installing surface of a photoelectric converter circuit in a plain surface placing a difference in level from the upper end of the incline. CONSTITUTION:Close to the lower side of a conveying route 1 of papers P to which a phosphorescent component (a) is pasted, an installing surface to which a light source 2 is installed makes an upward incline 12 to the conveying direction x. On the other hand, a plain surface 13 to which a photoelectric converter circuit 3 is furnished in the direction separating from the conveying route 1, is arranged placing a difference in level 14 from the upward incline 12. The phosphorescent component (a) is irradiated by the light of the light source 2 and absorbed, a residual image is detected by a light receiving element 3a of the photoelectric converter circuit 3 in such condition, and the photoelectric circuit 3 decides whether the papers have a phosphorescent component or not. In this case, the light from the light source 2 is shielded to the light receiving element 3a by the incline 12 and the difference in level 14, making it unnecessary to prepare the other shielding member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is a method for optically detecting a stamp containing a phosphorescent component affixed to a mail piece, for example, in a mail automatic sorting, sorting, and stamping machine. This invention relates to improvements in optical detection devices for the purpose of (Prior Art) Conventionally, for example, in a mail automatic sorting, sorting, stamping machine, an optical detection device for detecting a stamp containing a phosphorescent component affixed to a mail has been installed on a transport path (as shown in FIG. 2). Irradiating the stamped surface (9a) of the letter (P) to be conveyed (G) with light from a light source (for example, an ultraviolet lamp), and receiving the afterimage by the photoelectric conversion circuit section (■) arranged in close proximity. □ to detect whether or not the affixed stamp (a) contains a phosphorescent component.

By the way, when the reflected light from the light source ■ that irradiated the letter (P) enters the photoelectric conversion circuit section ■, the photoelectric conversion circuit section There is a risk of misdetection as a letter (P) with (a) attached, so the upper part of the casing (a) where the conventional light source ■ and photoelectric conversion circuit section ■ are installed is on the same plane parallel to the conveyance path (]). (4a) is formed, the light source (2) and the photoelectric conversion circuit section (3
), a plate-shaped light shielding member (c) (for example, a sponge) is provided protruding toward the conveyance path O), and the gap between the conveyance path (1) and the letter (P) being conveyed is set to as small a value as possible ( For example, by setting the distance to about 2 m/m), the photoelectric conversion circuit section
Only the afterimage in a) is received to prevent false detection from occurring.

However, the upper part of the casing (4) in which the light source (2) and the photoelectric conversion circuit section ■ are arranged close to each other is formed on the same plane parallel to the transport path (υ), and the light source ■ and the photoelectric conversion circuit section ■ Since the plate-shaped light-shielding member 0 is protruded in between with a slight gap from the conveyance path (1), the − side edge of the letter (P) conveyed through the conveyance path (1) is curved. and the above light shielding member (
If the letter (P) comes into contact with ) is worn out, causing light from the light source (2) to enter the photoelectric conversion circuit section (2).

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, as described above, the upper part of the casing 0) in which the light source (2) and the photoelectric conversion circuit section (3) are arranged in close proximity is arranged parallel to the transport path (υ). A flat surface is formed, and the plate-shaped light shielding member 0 is provided protrudingly between the light source (2) and the photoelectric conversion circuit section (2) with a slight gap from the conveyance path (1). If the - side edge of the letter (P) to be conveyed is bent and comes into contact with the light shielding member 0, there are disadvantages such as the letter (P) being broken or tilted, and furthermore, the light shielding member 0 may be bent. There was a problem in that light from the light source (2) entered the photoelectric conversion circuit section (2) due to wear.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and even if paper sheets being conveyed on a conveying path come into contact with a light shielding object provided between the light source of an optical detection device and the photoelectric conversion circuit section, the paper sheets will not break or break. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical detection device that can alleviate drawbacks such as being conveyed at an angle.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a transport path for transporting paper sheets to which an object to be detected containing a phosphorescent component is attached, and a transport path provided on one side of the transport path. a light source that illuminates the paper sheet;
A photoelectric conversion circuit unit is disposed close to the light source and photoelectrically converts the afterimage of the object to be detected excited by the light source, and the light source is mounted with a slight gap between the upper part of the surface and the conveyance path. While an upwardly sloped surface is formed in the conveyance direction, the upper part of the surface is separated from the conveyance path to form a flat surface parallel to the conveyance path, and a flat surface is formed between the upper end of the slope and the upper end of the inclined surface. and a casing having a stepped portion.

(Function) That is, by having the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, even if one side edge of the paper sheets being conveyed along the conveyance path is bent toward the light source, the upper part of the casing in which the light source is attached is tilted upward in the conveyance direction. Because the surface is formed, the impact of paper sheets is greatly reduced,
In addition, the step provided between the surface for mounting the light source and the surface for mounting the photoelectric conversion circuit portion can be used as a light shielding object.

(Example) The present invention will be described below based on an example shown in FIG. In the figure, (1) is a conveyance path that conveys the letter (P) in the direction of the arrow, and (10) is installed close to the lower side of the conveyance path (1), and the letter (P) is conveyed. This is an optical detection device for optically detecting whether or not a pasted stamp (a) contains a phosphorescent component. That is, the optical detection device (10) has a light source (2), for example, an ultraviolet lamp, which irradiates light opposite to the surface on which a stamp is affixed to the postal item (P) being conveyed on the conveyance path (1). , a light-receiving element (3a) that detects whether the stamp contains a phosphorescent component by receiving the afterimage of the stamp illuminated by the light source (3);
The upper part of the casing (11), in which the photoelectric conversion circuit part (2) equipped with a 12) is formed, while a flat surface (13) parallel to the transport path (D) is formed in the upper part of the casing (11) where the light receiving element (3a) is arranged, and a flat surface (13) parallel to the transport path (D) is formed. It is configured by providing a step (14) between them.

Next, the present invention based on the above configuration will be explained in detail.

Now, when the letter (P) is conveyed along the conveyance path α) in the direction of the arrow, the stamp (a) affixed to the letter (P) is exposed to the light source (
2). Therefore, the above stamp (
If a) contains a phosphorescent component, it passes above the light-receiving element (3a) in the direction of the arrow while absorbing light, so the light-receiving element (3a) detects the afterimage and detects the photoelectric conversion circuit section (3a).
) is sent a detection signal. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion circuit section (3) determines that the stamp (a) contains a phosphorescent component and processes it. However, conventionally, the light receiving element (3a
) When the letter (P) is conveyed upward, the letter (P) is placed on the plate-shaped light shielding member 0 protruding between the light source ■ and the light receiving element (3a).
Problems such as the - side edges of P) contacting each other and causing breakage, or the conveyance position becoming tilted, may occur, and if the light shielding member is made of sponge material, the light shielding member may wear out, causing damage to the photoelectric conversion circuit section. (3), whereas the present invention has an inclined surface (
12), the letter (P) is pushed back to the conveyance path ■ and sent in the direction of the arrow. Therefore, since the letter (P) is conveyed along the inclined surface, the letter (P) can be sent above the light receiving element (3a) without causing problems such as the letter (P) being broken or being conveyed in an inclined position. is possible, and the reflected light from the light source ■ has a step difference (1
4) serves as a light shielding object, and can shield light from the photoelectric conversion circuit section (3).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the upper part of the casing where the light source of the optical detection device is attached to the conveyance path for conveying paper sheets to which a detection object containing a phosphorescent component is attached is located above the conveyance path. Since an upward slope is formed in the conveyance direction, even if one side edge of the paper sheet being conveyed along the conveyance path curves and comes into contact with the slope, the one side edge will be guided along the slope. The disadvantages of paper sheets being broken or the conveying posture being tilted are greatly reduced, and the sloping surface at the top of the casing to which the light source of the optical detection device is attached and the casing to which the photoelectric conversion circuit part is attached. This has the effect that the step formed by the flat surface of the upper part of the body can be used as a light shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an optical detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a conventional optical detection device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A conveyance path for conveying paper sheets to which a detection object containing a phosphorescent component is attached; a light source provided on one side of the conveyance path for irradiating the paper sheets; A photoelectric conversion circuit unit that is arranged in close proximity and photoelectrically converts an afterimage of the object to be detected excited by the light source, and an upper part of the mounting surface of the light source ascends in the transport direction with a slight gap from the transport path. An inclined surface is formed, and the upper part of the mounting surface of the photoelectric conversion circuit section is spaced apart from the conveyance path to form a flat surface parallel to the conveyance path, and has a stepped portion between it and the upper end of the inclined surface. 1. An optical detection device comprising a casing, wherein the inclined surface and the stepped portion prevent reflected light from the paper sheet from directly entering the photoelectric conversion circuit section.