JPH0342357Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field to which the invention pertains] This invention is a lighting device for automatic visual inspection of pharmaceutical capsules, and uses a TV camera to detect "hangnail" defects, especially when the body and cap are of the same color. The present invention relates to a lighting device that provides lighting suitable for automatic inspections, improves light utilization efficiency, and is miniaturized.

Furthermore, a "hangnail" is a defect in which when the capsule body and cap are joined together, the end surfaces of the openings of the two parts touch each other, causing one of them to break and enter either the outside or the inside of the other side. It is.

[Prior art and its problems]

Generally, empty capsules are filled with drugs at pharmaceutical companies, and after visual inspection, the products are shipped. Capsule defects occur during the manufacturing process at empty capsule manufacturing companies and during the drug filling process at pharmaceutical companies.

There are several dozen types of appearance defects that occur during the production of empty capsules, but their occurrence rate is extremely small. However, due to the nature of the product, all items are visually inspected by female workers in order to remove items with poor appearance.

In addition, female workers visually inspect all empty capsules after filling them with drugs. This is when more defects are discovered. This is because excessive force is applied when filling the capsule body with the drug and connecting the cap. Since the capsule is cylindrical, the female worker visually inspects it while mechanically rotating it. Therefore, the eyes are easily fatigued, and some defects are extremely difficult to detect.

Many of the defects that occur at pharmaceutical companies, that is, those that occur when filling empty capsules with drugs, are
These are "hangnails" and "dents." A ``hangnail'' is a condition in which, when the capsule body and cap are connected, the opening edges of the two sides touch each other, causing one of them to break and enter either the outside or the inside of the other side. Also, a ``dent'' literally means that a portion of the tip, such as the tip, is depressed.

In addition to the above, appearance defects include ``cracks'': cracks that have formed, ``holes'': holes where the filling material has blown out, and ``foreign object adhesion'': foreign objects (oil, dirt, etc.) on the surface. , double caps: those with a cap attached to the body side, and "heterogeneous capsules": capsules with different numbers and colors.

One of the technical problems of automatic visual inspection is the lighting problem. By using good lighting techniques, surface defects can be highlighted in a way that makes them easier to detect. Conversely, if the lighting is inappropriate, defects in appearance may become invisible.

Originally, the degree of defects includes very subtle details. It often happens that the same surface condition is judged to be a good product or a defective product depending on the person and the situation at the time.

Now, in the case of "hangnails" which occur relatively frequently, it is very difficult to detect this defect, especially when the body and cap are of the same color. The circumstances surrounding this will be discussed in detail below.

Pharmaceutical capsules are mainly made of gelatin and come in several sizes, total length: 14 to 28.
mm, diameter: 5 to 12 mm, internal volume: 0.13 to 1.37 ml.

Next, the shape of a normal capsule is as shown in FIG. FIG. 7a is a side view of the cap 20C, where C1 is a protrusion provided on the periphery and protrudes inwardly, and C2 is a convex portion partially protruding inwardly. 7th
Figure b is a side view of the body 20B, where B1 is a groove provided around the edge, and B3 is a recess for air vent.

FIG. 7c is a partially cutaway side view of the temporarily connected state of the cap and body before drug filling, in which the convex portion C2 of the cap 20C and the groove B1 of the body 20B fit into each other, and when the capsule is empty, they are mutually connected. This prevents the withdrawal of

FIG. 7d shows the state of connection between the two after filling the drug, and the protrusion C1 of the cap 20C is connected to the body 20.
It fits into the groove B1 of B, and the air vent B3
Due to this action, the cap 20C will not come off due to compressed air even when filling medicine at high speed.

Next, regarding the form of the "hangnail" in question,
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 shows a case where the body side has become "hangnail", and Fig. 9 shows a case where the cap side has become "hangnail". For ease of viewing, illustrations of the protrusions, grooves, and chemicals provided on the cap and body have been omitted.

In FIG. 8, a body 20B, a cap 20
If the opening end face of C hits with some deviation when the two are connected, whichever is weaker, in this case body 20B
This cut lengthens as the sides are cut by the partner and inserted for joining. As a result, a portion 20b in the figure protrudes to cover the outside of the cap 20C. This 20b is called a ``hangnail'', and it can be in a variety of shapes, such as thin parallel strips as shown in this figure, or a hangnail on both sides. In Figure 9, unlike the previous example, cap 20C has been cut off, resulting in a "hangnail".
20C is shaped to fit inside the body 20B.

In any case, this "hangnail" is more likely to occur during drug filling. Body 20B for drugs
The edges of the cap have become hard and are somewhat deformed, so if you try to connect the cap 20C there, the edges will hit each other in a misaligned manner, and the weaker one will break.

Pigments are added to the capsules to make them opaque to prevent drug deterioration due to light, and dyes are added to color the capsules for identification purposes. Sometimes the cap and body are a combination of two different tones, and sometimes they are the same color.

One type of appearance defect that is difficult to detect during an appearance inspection - whether by visual inspection or by automated equipment - is "hangnails" in the combination of the same colors. This is because there is almost no change in the shape depending on the degree and position of the hangnail.

Examples of conventional lighting devices are shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 1.
This will be explained with reference to FIG. 20 is a capsule to be inspected; 21 is a drum for transporting the capsule 20 to an inspection position; and 22 is a position detector for timing the lighting of a light source, which will be described below.

The illumination device mainly consists of a light source section and a reflection section for illuminating a capsule, which is an object.

The light source section consists of an ordinary strobe light source 31 and a reflection tube 32 for this purpose, and its optical axis direction is directed approximately toward the capsule 20. 36 is a power supply for the light source,
The strobe light source 31 is turned on based on the signal from the position detector 22 mentioned above.

As a reflecting part, two reflecting mirrors 33 are attached to the capsule 2.
0 in between and parallel to the axis, and light source 3
A reflecting mirror 34 is arranged with a slight inclination to receive the light from 1.

photoelectrically image the capsule 20 and perform signal processing;
The ones to judge the quality are the TV camera 23,
They are an image processing circuit 24 and a determination circuit 25.

The capsule 20 is irradiated with direct light from a strobe light source 31 and reflected light from reflecting mirrors 33 and 34. The light from the latter reflecting mirrors 33 and 34 irradiates the capsule 20 from a fairly wide angle range. However, since the strobe light source 31 is close to a point light source, even if the surfaces of the reflecting mirrors 33 and 34 are made into diffuse reflection surfaces, it is not possible to illuminate the capsule 20 with uniform light intensity from all directions. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a lighting effect that makes it easy to detect "hangnails."

In addition, since the distance between the strobe light source 31 and the capsule 20 is large, the light usage efficiency is very poor.
The light source power source 36 also needs to have a large capacity.

[Purpose of invention]

The purpose of this invention was to solve problems beyond those of conventional ones, to make it easier to detect defects in the capsule's appearance, especially "hangnails," and to improve the efficiency of light use and to provide a power source for the light source. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the capacity of the lighting device and provide a compact and low-cost lighting device.

[Key points of the idea]

The main points of this invention to achieve the above objectives are:
It has the following configuration.

An annular strobe light source is used as a light source, and a cylindrical light-transmitting member having light diffusing properties is arranged in a hollow portion of the annular strobe light source substantially concentrically therewith.
A hollow part is provided in a part of the outer circumferential surface of this cylindrical light-diffusing light-transmitting member, and light from a part of the annular strobe light source passes through this hollow part from diagonally above the capsule axis. Directly hit the capsule.

Then, a member having a diffuse reflection surface on the capsule side and a hole in the center is attached to the upper surface of this cylindrical light-transmitting member having light diffusing properties, that is, the opening on the TV camera side.

Furthermore, a cylindrical light-shielding member is attached to the outside of this cylindrical light-diffusing light-transmitting member concentrically therewith. This light shielding member mainly partially blocks the light from the annular strobe light source in the direction perpendicular to the capsule axis, and the light from the annular strobe light source in the direction of the capsule axis is weakly directed toward the hollow side. Strongly shade the sides.

With the above configuration, direct light from a part of the annular strobe light source illuminates the capsule from diagonally above the capsule axis, and depending on the position of the side of the cap, it may sometimes strongly hit the end face of the cap opening. In the opposite case, shine strongly from the back side of the end of the cap opening.

At the same time, the light from the other parts of the annular strobe light source passes through the cylindrical light-transmitting member having light diffusing properties, and then irradiates the capsule with light of substantially uniform luminous intensity from all directions.

Moreover, due to the partial light-shielding member, the irradiation light is strong in the capsule axis direction (in the capsule axis direction, the light is relatively strong on the hollow side of the cylindrical light-transmitting member with light diffusing properties, and weak on the opposite side). There is some directionality), but the overall directionality is that it is weak in the direction perpendicular to this.

In this way, the areas where "hangnails" have occurred are
Since strong light from one part of the annular strobe light source and highly directional, homogeneous light from another part are simultaneously received, the "hangnail" is made to stand out appropriately.

In addition, because the annular strobe light source and the capsule are placed close together, there is less wasted light.
The capacity of the power source for the light source may also be small.

[Example of idea]

An embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a side view of the illumination device and a block diagram of the entire automatic capsule visual inspection apparatus including the illumination device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device.

The capsule automatic visual inspection device mainly consists of a capsule transport section, an illumination section, and an imaging/judgment section.

The capsule transport section carries the capsule 2 to be inspected.
0 from a supply point to an inspection position, and is shown here as a representative by a conveyance drum 21. Reference numeral 22 denotes a position detector that detects that the capsule 20 is at the inspection position and sends the signal to the light source power source, which will be described below.

The illumination section mainly includes a light source section and a reflection/transmission section.

First, the light source section will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes an annular light source, which is an annular strobe discharge tube. Reference numeral 7 denotes a light source power source that supplies power to the position detector 22.
is connected to.

Next, regarding the reflection/transmission part, 2 is a reflection member that wraps around the outer periphery of the annular light source, and the lower part thereof is open and closed by a transmission type light diffusion member 2A. Reference numeral 3 denotes a cylindrical transmission type light diffusion member arranged coaxially with the annular light source 1, the lower opening is located directly above the target capsule 20, and the upper opening has a reflection type light diffusion member 4. is installed. The reflective light diffusing member 4 has a reflective surface on the side facing the capsule 20, and has a hole in the center.

Further, as will be described later, this cylindrical transmission type light diffusing member 3 is provided with a hollow part in a part of its outer peripheral surface, so that the capsule 20 is irradiated with direct light from the annular light source 1. .

Reference numeral 5 denotes a partial light shielding member, which is attached to the outside of the cylindrical transmission type light diffusing member 3. This partial light shielding member 5 has a portion cut out in the capsule axis direction at the lower end of its outer peripheral surface. This state will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the above-described annular light source 1, reflection member 2, transmission type reflection member 3, and partial light shielding member 5, each of which is arranged concentrically.

In conclusion, the imaging/determination section is composed of a TV camera 23, an image processing circuit 24, and a determination circuit 25.

Since the configuration is as described above, the operation of this embodiment is as follows.

The light from the annular light source 1 is directed toward the central axis from all directions by the reflecting member 2. First, since the light is blocked by areas other than the notch of the partial light blocking member 5, the light is limited to only light directed diagonally downward with the axial direction of the capsule 20 being the main direction.

The cutout of the partial light shielding member 5 can have a shape as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example. A partial light shielding member 5A in FIG. 5 is provided with a deep notch 5a1 and a shallow notch 5a2 diametrically opposed to each other at its lower end. The partial light shielding member 5B in FIG.
A notch 5b having approximately the same depth as the notch 5a1 is provided at only one location at the lower end thereof.

Therefore, when the partial light shielding member 5A is used, light directed obliquely downward, with the main direction being the axial direction of the capsule 20, is relatively strong from the right side in FIG. 1, and light from the left side is relatively strong. is relatively weak. In other words, the left and right sides are unbalanced.

Furthermore, when the partial light shielding member 5B is used, light directed diagonally downward with the axial direction of the capsule 20 as the main direction is relatively strong from the right side of the figure, and much weaker from the left side. In other words, the degree of left-right imbalance becomes significant.

Next, examples of the shape of the hollow portion provided in the transmission type light diffusing member 3 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Third
The transmissive light diffusing member 3A shown in the figure is provided with a substantially rectangular hollow portion 3a near its lower end and along its outer periphery. On the other hand, the transmission type light diffusing member 3B in FIG.
is provided with a substantially rectangular hollow portion 3b near its lower end along its outer periphery.Compared to the hollow portion 3a, the lateral length along the rectangular outer circumferential surface is larger, and the length of this rectangular The length in the vertical direction extends downward toward both ends.

Therefore, when the transmissive light diffusing member 3A is used, the intensity of light directly irradiated from the annular light source 1 to the capsule 20 through the hollow portion 3a is relatively weak.
On the other hand, when the transmission type light diffusive member 3B is used, the intensity of the light directly irradiated from the annular light source 1 to the capsule 20 through the hollow part 3b is relatively stronger than in the above case, and the angular range of the irradiation direction is also wider. wide.

Further, the light directed downward from the annular light source 1 is diffused in all directions by the annular transmissive light diffusing member 2A, and a portion of the light illuminates the capsule 20 obliquely from above.

Therefore, by selectively using the transmission type light diffusion members 3A and 3B, the intensity of direct light from one axial direction of the capsule 20 can be changed, and the partial light shielding member 5 can be changed.
Capsule 20 by using A and 5B properly
This means that the degree of imbalance in the uniformly diffused light irradiated from both directions along the axial direction can be changed.

Originally, the aim of this invention was to make it easier to detect "hangnail" defects on the capsule, or in other words, to make the "hangnail" defects stand out, the light source was directed towards the end face of the cap or from the back side of the cap. In addition to applying strong direct light, diffused light with uniform intensity in all directions is also used in order to alleviate the erroneous emphasis caused by this strong direct light.

I mentioned "false emphasis" above, but the light incident on the TV camera changes slightly depending on the condition of the capsule surface and the orientation in which it is placed, so relatively simple lighting methods and judgment criteria are not sufficient. It is not possible to accurately judge whether the appearance of the capsule is good or bad. In literary terms, we need lighting that combines ``radical'' and ``gentle,''``individuality'' and ``common sense.''

In conclusion, we will discuss how the light from the annular light source 1 that directly illuminates the capsule 20 is reflected at the "hangnail" part, and how this information is input to the TV camera. Figure 8,
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Depending on whether the direct light from the annular light source 1 hits the cap side of the capsule 20 from the directions of arrows P and R, or from the opposite side from the directions of arrows Q and S, it may directly hit the opening end surface of the cap. Or, conversely, the light may be irradiated from the back side of the opening end face.

In the former case, the TV camera 23 receives strong reflected light from the corner of the cap opening end face. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, a part of the body side breaks off and rides on the cap side, resulting in a "hangnail" 20b.
If there is, the reflected light at this part is weaker than that from the other normal aperture end corners, and the reflected light is reflected by the TV camera 2.
3 is input. The presence and extent of a "hangnail" can be detected by the difference between the two.

In the latter case, the TV camera 23 will capture the shadow created at the end surface of the cap opening. Therefore, if there is a "hangnail" 20b as shown in FIG. 8, a shadow will appear in this area that is shifted in position from that which occurs at other normal opening end surfaces, or there will be almost no shadow. It is. Then, there is strong reflected light at the corner of the end face of the "hangnail" 20b.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, a "hangnail" occurs when a part of the cap side breaks off and goes inside the body side.
In the case of 20c, the light in the direction of arrow R causes the reflected light at the "hangnail" portion to be weaker than that from other normal end faces. On the other hand, for light in the direction of arrow S, strong reflected light is obtained from the corner of the end face of the body, which is the tip of the "hangnail" 20c. The end surface of the cap, which is the root of the "hangnail" 20c, has no shadow. On the other hand, a normal cap end face naturally produces a shadow.

[Effect of idea]

Due to the above-described structure and operation, this invention has the following excellent effects.

(1) An annular light source is placed near the top of the capsule to be inspected, surrounding the capsule, so that the capsule is irradiated with light from all directions. In addition, since the cylindrical transmission type light diffusing member is arranged inside the light source, the degree of uniform intensity, that is, the degree of homogeneity of the light, is further increased in all directions.

Light of uniform intensity in all directions, or homogeneous light, forms one of the conditions that are incompatible with general visual inspection.

Further, the cylindrical transmission type light diffusing member is provided with a hollow part in a part of its outer peripheral surface, so that the direct light from a part of the annular light source hits the capsule from diagonally above on one side of the capsule axis. There is.
Due to this relatively strong direct light from one direction,
In particular, it has the effect of emphasizing the "hangnail" part.

Furthermore, the partial light shielding member blocks light from a direction perpendicular to the capsule axis, and the light from the capsule axis direction has a difference in strength between the left and right sides, so the light as a whole has directionality. The directionality of this light has the effect of highlighting defects.

As described above, the light of the device of the present invention has uniform intensity in all directions, that is, homogeneity, and has a certain directionality as a whole, and at the same time, strong light from a specific direction is included. is - is something. The collaboration of several lights with different characteristics creates a subtle and complex appearance, especially the "hangnails" of the same color capsules.
It is effective in making things stand out.

(2) The distance between the capsule to be inspected and the annular light source is relatively short, and the structure prevents light dissipation, so the efficiency of light utilization is high. Therefore, the power source for the light source is about 1/1 that of the conventional one.
The capacity can be reduced to about 5, and the entire lighting device can also be made smaller.

(3) Cost reduction can be achieved in relation to the previous item.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention and a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire system of an automatic capsule visual inspection device; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of this embodiment;
4 are perspective views showing two examples of cylindrical transmissive light diffusing members, which are the main parts of this embodiment, and FIGS. A perspective view showing two examples of partial light shielding members, FIG. 7a is a side view of the capsule body,
Fig. 7b is a side view of the capsule cap, Fig. 7c is a side view showing the temporarily joined state of the capsule body and capsule cap before drug filling, Fig. 7d
8 is a side view showing the bonding state of the capsule body and capsule cap after drug filling, FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a plan view showing an example of a defective "hangnail" in the capsule, and FIG. 9 is a "hangnail" in the capsule. "Longitudinal cross-sectional view and plan view showing another example of defect, Figure 10, 1st
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view and a plan view of a conventional example, and a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire system of an automatic capsule visual inspection device. Description of symbols, 1... Annular light source, 2... Reflective member, 2A... Circular band-shaped transmission type light diffusion member, 3... Cylindrical transmission type light diffusion member, 4... Reflection type light diffusion member, 5... Partial light shielding member, 20...Capsule, 2
0B...Capsule body, 20C...Capsule cap.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A device for illuminating a capsule surface in order to observe it from a direction substantially normal to the surface of the cylindrical portion of the capsule, comprising: (a) disposed between the capsule and the observation device;
(b) an annular light source whose center line is approximately a line connecting the two; (c) a light-transmitting cylindrical member having a light diffusing property and having a hollow portion so that the main direction of direct light from the to the capsule is substantially included in a plane including the capsule axis and the central axis of the annular light source; a reflective member disposed so as to close the observation device side opening of the light-transmitting cylindrical member having light-diffusing properties, and having a reflective surface having light-diffusing properties on the capsule side and a hollow portion in the center; ) disposed between the annular light source and a light-transmitting cylindrical member having light diffusing properties, mainly blocking light from the annular light source from a direction perpendicular to the capsule axis;
An automatic appearance characterized by comprising: a partial light-shielding member provided in a translucent cylindrical member having a light-diffusing property to block less light from the annular light source from the capsule axis direction from the hollow side; Inspection lighting equipment. 2. In the utility model registration claim described in paragraph 1, the annular light source includes: a toroidal light emitting body; a cylindrical reflecting member installed outside the light emitting body; and a cylindrical reflecting member disposed below the light emitting body. 1. A lighting device for automatic visual inspection, comprising: a light-transmitting portion having a light-diffusing property in the form of a plate-shaped ring;