JPS62190586A - Volume detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accept any objects instead of limiting to a metallic one, to prevent malfunction with respect to objects that are continuously carried in at a high speed and to detect the precise number of objects by providing a light source and a photodetector and deviating an optical path to the periphery of the objects. CONSTITUTION:A passing-by hole 3 corresponding to the size of the object 2 is drilled on a frame 1 so as to penetrate vertically, and the object 2 can pass through the hole 3. The light source 4 and the photodetector 10 detecting the light of said source 4 are provided, and the optical path 15 is formed in a direction intersecting with the direction where the object 2 passes by and eccentrically close to the periphery of the object. Thus only the periphery of the object 2 blocks the optical path 15. Even if the objects 2 continue, a gap always arises between the peripheries, and the blocked state of the optical path 15 is surely disconnected. Accordingly the material of the object 2 is not limited to metallic, and objects made of plastic and glass can be detected. Simultaneously malfunction with respect to the objects 2 which are continuously carried in at a high speed can be prevent, and the number of objects can be precisely detected.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] This invention relates to metals, plastics,
The present invention relates to a quantity detection device that can reliably detect the quantity of small objects made of glass or the like.

[Background technology]

Until now, various devices have been devised as devices that automatically count large amounts of balls (such as pachinko balls) or coins that pass through a certain delivery path. For example, there is a microswitch type detection device in which an actuator protrudes in the middle of a passage and is activated by the passage of a sphere (see Design Registration No. 489225, Design Registration No. 597893, No. 597894, and No. 627215). . This device has the advantage that it does not care about the material of the test object, but if the test object is brought in at high speed, the actuator may not be able to keep up with the speed, resulting in malfunctions such as miscounting. There were many. In addition, there is a magnetic type device that installs a magnetic sensor that sensitively responds to metal spheres in a passage, detects changes in magnetic flux due to the passage of metal spheres, and detects the number of them (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-34777, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application 1986-10
(Refer to Publication No. 2585)゛. However, this device is also limited in that the object to be tested is limited to metals, especially magnetic materials. Furthermore, when a large number of magnetic sensors are placed adjacent to each other in order to increase detection capability, the magnetic sensors may be influenced by each other, resulting in malfunctions. It has been particularly difficult to reliably identify the number of individuals in cases where metal spheres, which are the test objects, pass continuously.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above points, the present invention is capable of detecting objects to be inspected not only metals but also plastics, glass, etc., and is capable of detecting malfunctions even when objects are continuously brought in at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can reliably detect the quantity without causing a problem.

[Disclosure of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with a light source and a light receiver that detects the light. In a quantity detection device that is provided with a passage and detects the number of passages by converting changes in the amount of light received due to passage of the object into an electrical signal, only the periphery of the object to be examined blocks the optical path. The main point is that

This will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a quantity detecting device according to the present invention. A passage hole 3 corresponding to the size of the test object 2 is provided in the frame 1 so as to pass through it vertically, and the test object 2 passes through this hole (from the top to the bottom in the figure). It has become. An optical path 1 is provided inside the frame 1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction of the test object 2 and toward the periphery of the test object.
5 is formed. In other words, the light emitted from the light source 4 is emitted from a small hole 5 formed in the side surface of the passage hole 3, but the direction of the optical path 15 is not the same as the diameter direction (direction passing through the center) of the passage hole 3. Rather, it is biased in one direction (slightly towards the upper left in Figure 1).

By arranging the optical path 15 in this manner, it is possible to reliably count the number of objects to be examined that pass continuously at high speed without missing a count. In other words, this device is designed to count the number of passages of the test object based on changes on the receiver side due to interruption and restoration of the optical path by the test object, but at this time, the optical path 15 is If you set it in the direction toward the center, the optical path will remain blocked if the object to be inspected passes continuously.
It becomes difficult to identify the number of individuals, resulting in missing counts. Therefore, by biasing the optical path, only the periphery of the object to be examined blocks the optical path. This is because even if the objects to be inspected are continuous, there is always a gap between their peripheral edges, so the optical path is reliably interrupted.

The degree of deviation in the direction of the optical path may be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the object to be inspected. In short, it is sufficient that the optical path 15 of the light source 4 hits only the periphery of the object.

As the light source 4, it is preferable to use a small and long-life light emitting diode, but the light source 4 is not particularly limited to this.

A light receiving hole 6 is provided at a position corresponding to the optical path light on the side surface of the passage hole 3.
is provided, and a lens 7 for condensing the light emitted from the light source 4 is placed immediately behind it. This lens 7 is not necessarily necessary, and is used especially when it is desired to shorten the optical path. That is, in order to limit the optical path 15 to a certain field of view, the small hole 5 bored in the side surface of the test object passage hole 3 should be made cylindrical, and this should be used as a slit for the light emitted from the light source 4. It is necessary to take precautions such as changing the position of the light source, but for this purpose, the light source 4 must be moved back from the passage hole 3, and the optical path becomes longer by that much. As the optical path becomes longer, the light intensity of the light source decreases accordingly.
A light source with higher output is required, resulting in the overall size of the device. On the other hand, if the lens 7 is provided behind the light receiving hole 6 as in the above embodiment, the spread light can be condensed, so the above consideration is unnecessary and the entire device can be made smaller. This is because it can be done.

An aperture diaphragm 8 is provided immediately after the lens 7, and a field diaphragm 9 is further placed at a certain distance (the imaging position of the lens). These apertures 8 and 9 are connected to the lens 7.
This effectively limits the light that enters the light receiver 10,
This makes it possible to reliably prevent disturbance light from entering, making it difficult for the light receiving side to malfunction due to the influence of disturbance light. If the aperture is set to such an extent that only light within the thickness of the upper and lower covers of the frame 1 enters, the influence of ambient light can be effectively eliminated. The light passing through both apertures 8°9 is made to enter a light receiver 10.

Note that a phototransistor, a photodiode, or the like is used as the light receiver 10, and can emit an electric signal according to the amount of light received. The light receiver 10 is connected to a counting device (not shown) as necessary, and by sending an electric signal corresponding to a change in the received light t to this device, it is possible to count the number of objects passing through. It has become.

Next, another embodiment of the quantity detecting device according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a device in which a reflecting mirror 1) for refracting the optical path 15 is provided between the light source 4 and the light receiver 10.

In this case, the test object 2 passes in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. According to this apparatus, since the optical path 15 crosses the two peripheral edges of the object 2, the object 2 can be captured more reliably than in the case of the apparatus shown in FIG.

Figure 3 shows a reflection mirror 1) between the light source 4 and the receiver 1d.
The figure shows a device in which two mirrors 1) are provided, and the optical path 15 is refracted twice by these mirrors 1). Compared to the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, this apparatus can capture the object 2 more reliably since the optical path 15 crosses three points around the periphery of the object 2.

FIG. 4 shows a reflection mirror 1 between a light source 4 and a light receiver 10.
) is shown. Compared to the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.3, since the optical path 15 crosses the four peripheral edges of the object 2, the object 2 can be captured more reliably.

Based on the example of setting the optical path shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows the external appearance of the counting device when looking through its top cover, and Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of the lens and aperture system used in this device. As shown in the figure.

The light emitted from the light source 4 is refracted by two reflecting mirrors 1) attached to a U-shaped mirror holder 12, and is directed toward a light receiver 10. During this time, three peripheral edges of the object 2 falling from above in the figure come to block the optical path 5.

The U-shaped mirror holder 12 has a certain thickness according to the field of view of the light receiver 10, and has an upper cover (not shown).
Along with this, it also plays a role in preventing the intrusion of external light.

Note that a transparent cylindrical passage 13 is provided in the passage hole 3 for the test object 2.
is provided to allow the object 2 to pass through smoothly. The light directed toward the light receiver 10 is focused by the lens 7. The lens 7 is arranged at a position somewhat recessed from the small hole 5 formed in the side surface of the passage hole 3 for the object to be inspected, and is designed to reduce the influence of ambient light. The light focused by the lens 7 passes through an aperture stop 8 having a predetermined diameter, which is arranged behind the lens 7, and enters the field stop 9 through the inner hole of the spacer 14. These apertures 8.9 serve to limit the field of view of the light entering from the lens 7, and reliably prevent malfunctions caused by unnecessary disturbance light entering the light receiver. The field stop 9 is arranged at the position where the lens 7 forms an image. Immediately after that, a phototransistor, which is a light receiver 10, is arranged. This phototransistor is connected to a counting device (not shown) that receives electrical signals and outputs necessary information.

In this manner, the device according to this embodiment takes sufficient measures to reliably block the influence of ambient light, thereby minimizing the occurrence of malfunctions caused by this.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the quantity detecting device according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent malfunctions such as miscounting even when objects are continuously brought in at high speed, and also to prevent the effects of external light from occurring. This also prevents malfunctions such as over-counting due to over-counting, making it possible to reliably count the number of objects to be inspected. Even if a large number of these devices are used adjacently to increase the detection capability, there is no interference between the devices, so there is no risk of malfunction.

The test object is not limited to those made of metal, but may also be made of non-metallic materials such as plastic and glass, and the shape of the test object is not necessarily limited to a sphere. The range is extremely wide.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a quantity detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a quantity detecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a quantity detecting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view explaining a quantity detecting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the quantity detecting device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lens and aperture system of FIG. 5. 2... Test object 4... Light source 10... Light receiver 1
3... Passage 15... Light path agent Patent attorney Takeshi Matsumoto Foolish plan 1 Figure 12 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A light source and a light receiver that detects the light are provided, and a path for the test object is provided so as to intersect with the optical path formed between the two, and the test object passes through it. What is claimed is: 1. A quantity detection device for detecting the number of passages of light by converting changes in the amount of light received by the object into an electrical signal, the quantity detection device being characterized in that only the periphery of the object to be inspected blocks the optical path. (2) The quantity detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiver is provided with means for blocking disturbance light other than light from the light source.