JPH06329236A - Parts feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a size in an image processing device by including not only a photoelectric transfer element but also a determining means, which determines a shape or an attitude of a part, in a photographing means. CONSTITUTION:In a parts feeder, a lens 12 is built into the front of a cylindrical case 11, and inside the case 11, a photosensor array 13 is coaxially arranged on an optical axis of the lens 12. The photosensor 13 is installed on a base board 14, on which driving circuits 15, 18 and a determining circuit 16 are mounted. In addition, a LED array 17 for monitoring is arranged in the rear side of the case 11, and the LED array 17 is installed on the base board 14. The LED array 17 is used for monitor-indication or message-indication of the image of the parts photographed by the photosensor 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parts feeder, and more particularly, it conveys parts by vibrating them and picks up an image of the parts at a predetermined position with a CCD camera or the like to determine the shape and posture of the parts. , A parts feeder that eliminates parts with bad shapes and postures.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional image processing apparatus for a parts feeder using a CCD camera. In FIG. 3, a CCD camera 1 includes a CCD detection unit 2, which is driven by a drive circuit 3 and detects an image of a component through a lens 4. The image output of the CCD camera 1 is given to the image processing section 5 and subjected to image processing to determine the shape, posture, etc. of the component. At the same time, the image processing unit 5 displays the image of the component on the monitor 6.

However, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 has a drawback that the device becomes large. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a method using the photosensor array 7 without using the CCD camera 1 has been proposed. That is,
The photo sensor array 7 has a large number of photodiodes and phototransistors arranged in a matrix.
The photosensor array 7 arranged so as to face the component 8
The lens 9 is disposed between the component 8 and the component 8.

[0004]

In the photosensor array 7 shown in FIG. 4, the size of commercially available photodiodes and phototransistors is as large as several millimeters.
When these are arranged, the size will be 20 to 30 mm and the resolution will be a few mm.
Moreover, when trying to obtain a magnified image, the contrast is lowered, and a reduced image is not practical in terms of resolution.
Furthermore, the distance between the lens 9 and the component 8 and the distance between the photosensor array 7 and the lens 9 are required to be several tens of mm, respectively. Further, a driving circuit for driving the photosensor array 7 and a discrimination circuit for discriminating the image of the component based on the output of the photosensor array 7 need to be externally attached, which also causes a problem that the device becomes large. is there.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a parts feeder capable of reducing the size of an image processing apparatus by incorporating peripheral circuits and the like as much as possible.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a parts feeder that conveys a component by giving vibration to the conveyance path and picks up an image of the component at a predetermined position with an image pickup unit, and eliminates a component with a bad shape or orientation, the image of the component is displayed on the image pickup unit. A large number of photoelectric conversion elements to be imaged and a determination means for determining the shape, posture, etc. of the component based on the output image of each photoelectric conversion element are incorporated.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the image pickup means according to the first aspect is provided with an optical system for forming an image of the component on the photoelectric conversion element in front of the image pickup means, and is discriminated by the discrimination means behind the optical system. A large number of light emitting elements for displaying images of the parts are arranged.

[0008]

In the parts feeder according to the present invention, not only the photoelectric conversion element but also the discrimination means for discriminating the shape and posture of the component are incorporated in the image pickup means, so that the image processing apparatus can be further downsized.

[0009]

1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a case 11 is formed in a tubular shape, a lens 12 is incorporated in the front, a photo sensor array 13 is arranged in the case 11 coaxially with the optical axis of the lens 12. The photosensor array 13 is mounted on a substrate 14, and drive circuits 15 and 18 and a discrimination circuit 16 are mounted on the substrate 14.
Further, an LED array 17 for monitoring is arranged behind the case 11, and the LED array 17 is mounted on the substrate 14. The LED array 17 is used for displaying the image of the component imaged by the photosensor array 13 on a monitor and displaying a message.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The photosensor array 13 shown in FIG. 1 is driven by the drive circuit 15, and the output of the photosensor array 13 is given to the discrimination circuit 16. The discriminating circuit 16 discriminates the posture and shape of the component from the image of the component detected by the photosensor array 13. When it is discriminated that the component is defective, a control signal is given to an air ejecting device (not shown) so that compressed air is discharged. To eject the component.
Further, the image signal of the image of the component determined by the determination circuit 16 is given to the drive circuit 18, and the drive circuit 18 drives the LED array 17 to display the image of the component.

As described above, the lens 12 is placed in the case 14.
And the photo sensor array 13 as well as the drive circuit 15,
Since 18, the discriminating circuit 16 and the LED array 17 are built in, it is not necessary to externally attach an image processing device or the like, and the device can be downsized.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, a large number of photoelectric conversion elements for picking up an image of a part, and a discriminating means for discriminating the shape, posture, etc. of the part based on the output image of the photoelectric conversion element are picked up. Since it is built in the means, it is not necessary to attach the image processing device externally, and the device can be downsized. Moreover, more preferably, by incorporating a large number of light emitting elements for displaying the images of the components in the image pickup means, further miniaturization can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of a conventional parts feeder using a CCD camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an imaging unit using a photo sensor array.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Case 12 Lens 13 Photosensor Array 14 Substrate 15 Drive Circuit 16 Discrimination Circuit 17 LED Array 18 Drive Circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A parts feeder that conveys a component by vibrating a conveying path, picks up an image of the component at a predetermined position by an image pickup unit, and eliminates a component having a defective shape, posture, or the like. Is characterized in that a large number of photoelectric conversion elements for capturing an image of the component, and a determination means for determining the shape, posture, etc. of the component based on the output image of the photoelectric conversion element are included. Yes, parts feeder. 2. An optical system for forming an image of the component on the photoelectric conversion element is provided in front of the image pickup unit, and an image of the component discriminated by the discriminating unit is provided behind the optical system. The parts feeder according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light emitting elements for displaying a message are arranged.