JPS6388431A - Foreign matter detecting method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the detecting of a foreign matter in a solution accurately free from the viscosity hereof, by monitoring the locus of reflected lights from the foreign matter in the solution exposed to an irradiating light. CONSTITUTION:A container 10 is irradiated with an irradiation light 13 from a light source 12. The container 10 is turned with a rotating device 11 while a data take-in timing signal 24 is transmitted to a camera tube 20 from a monitor 22. Data of reflected lights 15, 17 and 19 received with the camera tube 20 are taken into the monitor 22 as data signal 26 for a fixed period. The data signal 26 for the fixed period is processed two-dimensionally with the device 22 and monitored as locus of the reflected lights. Then, a surface flaw 16 measured in the length almost equal to the diameter of the container 10 and loci 16A and 18A of the reflected lights 17 and 19 due to a surface flaw 16 and a foul 18 are erased from the data with a checking mechanism in the device 22 and thus, the locus 14A of the reflected light 15 based on a foreign matter 14 is checked thereby enabling the detection of the foreign matter 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting foreign matter, and more particularly to a method and device for detecting foreign matter floating in a solution in a transparent container.

[Background of the invention]

Inspection of foreign objects in chemical ampoules or bottles requires visual inspection because it is difficult to automatically distinguish between foreign objects inside the bottle that could lead to product defects and scratches or stains on the bottle surface that are unrelated to product defects. It depends. However, this method cannot be applied to mass-produced ampoules due to the slow inspection throughput. In addition, with the method using digital image processing, it is difficult to identify the foreign matter inside the ampoule because it is small, several tens of micrometers or less (approximately the same size as a scratch or dirt on the surface of the ampoule bottle. The processing method cannot be applied to detect foreign objects.

Also, recently, after the ampoule is rotated at high speed, the brake is applied to stop it suddenly, causing the foreign matter to float around with the liquid inside the ampoule, and the transmitted light is irradiated from the side of the ampoule, causing the foreign matter to block the transmitted light. Changes in image (changes in light amount)
A device has been developed that detects and distinguishes between good and bad products.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional method for detecting foreign matter by rotating an ampoule at high speed and an apparatus therefor. As shown in FIG.
is irradiated via the light projecting lens 76. After the irradiation light 74 passes through the solution in the ampoule 70, it passes through the imaging lens 78 and reaches the light receiver 80. Foreign matter 82 in the ampoule, surface scratches 84 on the bottle, dirt 86, etc. block the irradiation light 74 and form an image. These images are projected onto the light receiver 80.

In such a conventional foreign object detection method and apparatus, the ampoule 70 is rotated at a high speed, and then the brake is applied to suddenly stop the ampoule 70. The foreign object 82 floats and rotates due to inertia and blocks the transmitted light 74 from the side. The image of the foreign object 82 fluctuates and is detected by the light receiver 80 as a variation in received light. In this case, the foreign matter 82 causes a change in the amount of light, but the scratches 84 and dirt 86 on the ampoule surface do not cause a change in the amount of light because they are stationary. Therefore, the foreign matter 82 can be distinguished from the scratches 84 and dirt 86 on the ampoule surface. In addition, the light receiving elements 8 are divided into certain areas corresponding to the size of the ampoule 70.
8 are installed, and phototubes or photodiodes are used for these light receiving elements 88, enabling quick inspection.

However, in this method of rotating the ampoule 70 at high speed to inertially rotate the foreign matter 82 in the solution,
It can be applied to foreign matter 82 in solutions with high viscosity (IOC3T or less), but foreign matter 82 in solutions with high viscosity (100C3T or more)
In No. 2, even if the ampoule 70 is rotated at high speed and then suddenly stopped by applying the brake, the internal solution does not undergo sufficient inertial rotation, and the floating foreign matter 82 is not rotated sufficiently. Therefore, changes in the image caused by the foreign object blocking the transmitted light 74 do not occur sufficiently, so that the amount of light does not change and the foreign object cannot be detected. In addition, the ampoule 70 is rotated at high speed (approximately 30° C.
0 rpm or higher), there is a risk that the ampoule 70 will be damaged. For this reason, there is a limit to the practical ampoule rotation speed.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances. '8 It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for detecting foreign matter in which foreign matter in a liquid can be detected accurately without being affected by the viscosity of the internal solution.

[Summary of the invention]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a foreign object detection method for detecting foreign objects floating in a solution in a transparent container, in which the transparent container is formed in a symmetrical shape and rotated around an axis of rotational symmetry. At the same time, the transparent container is irradiated with light, and the foreign matter in the solution is detected by monitoring the locus of reflected light emitted from the foreign matter in the solution that has received the irradiated light.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the foreign object detection method and device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a foreign object detection method and apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 is formed from a transparent glass container formed into a substantially cylindrical shape (symmetrical shape). In some cases, the container 10 may be made of transparent plastic. The container 10 is rotated more than 360 degrees around the cylindrical axis of the container 10 by the rotating device 11. A light source 12 is provided below the container 10, and irradiation light 13 from the light source 12 is transmitted to the container 10 and the container 10 through a projection lens.
Irradiation is directed toward the solution inside. Foreign matter 14 in the solution in the container 10, surface scratches 16 and dirt 18 on the container 10 receive the irradiated light and emit reflected light 15, 17, 19. An imaging tube 20 is provided on the side of the container 10, and the imaging tube 20 detects foreign objects 14,
Reflected light from surface scratches 16 and dirt 18 15.17.19
It is a light receiver that receives light. The image pickup tube 20 is a monitor device 22
is connected, and a data capture timing signal 24 is transmitted from the monitor device 22 to the image pickup tube 20.

Due to this timing signal 24, the data of reflected light 15, 17, and 19 from the image pickup tube 20 is input as a data signal 26 to the monitor device 22 for a certain period of time. The data signal 26 is input from the time when the container 10 starts to rotate until it stops, that is, during the period when the container 10 rotates at least 360 degrees. The data signal 2G is processed by the monitor device 22 from a video signal to a binary video signal. Note that the data signal 26 is
When observed with an RT monitor or the like, the trajectories 14A, 16A, and 18A of the reflected light from the foreign matter 14 in the solution, the surface scratches 16 on the container, and the dirt 18, respectively, are shown as two-dimensional projected images, as shown in FIG. be monitored.

According to the foreign object detection method and device thereof according to the present invention configured as described above, the container 10 is irradiated with the irradiation light 13 from the light source 12. The rotation of the container 10 is started by the rotation device 11, and a data capture timing signal 24 is transmitted from the monitor device 22 to the image pickup tube 20.

Due to the timing signal 24, the data of the reflected light 15, 17, and 19 received by the image pickup tube 20 is taken into the monitor device 22 as a data signal 26 for a certain period of time. These fixed period data signals 26 are two-dimensionally processed in the monitor device 22 and monitored as a trajectory of reflected light. The monitored resolution is at least 640 (horizontal) x 512 (
Vertical) x 64 (H degree) gradation is possible.

In this case, the trajectories 16A, 18A of the reflected light 17, 19 due to the surface flaws 16 and dirt 18 of the container have approximately the same length as the diameter of the container 1O, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the trajectory 14A of the reflected light 15 by the foreign object "14" has a trajectory length shorter than the diameter of the container 10. Therefore, the surface flaw 16 is measured as being approximately the same length as the diameter of the container 10.
and the locus 16A, 1 of the reflected light 17.19 by the dirt 18
8A can be easily deleted from the data by a check mechanism provided in the monitor device 22. Therefore, the locus 14A of the reflected light 15 originating only from the foreign object 14 can be easily detected, and the foreign object 14 can be detected accurately.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

The container IO1 light source 12 and image pickup tube 20 shown in FIG.
Something similar to the example is used. Container 1 shown in Figure 3
The rotation device 30 of No. 0 rotates at least the container 10 by 180 degrees or more. Further, the monitor device 32 receives the data capture timing signal 2 as in the first embodiment.
4 is transmitted to the image pickup tube 20, and the reflected light 15.17.1 is received by the image pickup tube 20 according to this capture timing signal 24.
9 is input as the data signal 26 for a certain period of time. Unlike the first embodiment, the manual power period of this data signal 26 is set to a period during which the container 10 rotates 180 degrees or more. Further, the data signal 26 is transmitted to the monitor device 2 of the first embodiment.
Similarly to 2, the monitor device 32 performs two-dimensional processing, and the reflected light from the foreign object 14 and the like is monitored by the monitor device 32 as a trajectory of the reflected light. The monitor device 32 not only processes reflected light data from the image pickup tube 20 two-dimensionally, but also has an area designation mechanism that can distinguish and monitor an outer designated area 34 and a central designated area 36, as shown in FIG. . The outer designated area 34 occupies an area corresponding to the outer side of the inner diameter of the container 10, and the central designated area 36 occupies an area equivalent to the inner diameter of the container 10.

In the foreign object detection device according to the present invention configured as described above, the data signal 26 is input to the monitor device 32 at least during a period when the container 10 is rotated by 180 degrees or more. Since the surface scratches 16 and dirt 18 on the surface of the container 100 are formed on the outside of the container 10, the trajectories 16A, 1 of the reflected light are
8A is at least one end, 16B, as shown in FIG.
18B may be located in the outer designated area 34. On the other hand, the trajectory 14A of the light reflected by the proboscis 14 never enters the outer designated area 34 and always remains within the central designated area 36. Therefore, the trajectories 16A and 18A of the reflected light that enter the outer specified area 34, that is, the trajectories 16A and 18A of the reflected light from the surface scratches 16 and dirt 18, can be easily distinguished from the trajectory 14A of the reflected light originating from the foreign object 14. . Thereby, only the foreign object 14 can be easily detected.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the method and device for detecting foreign matter according to the present invention, the transparent container is rotated and light is irradiated onto the transparent container, and the trajectory of the reflected light emitted from the foreign matter in the solution is detected by the monitor device. Therefore, foreign matter in the container can be clearly distinguished from surface scratches or dirt on the container without being affected by the viscosity of the solution, and the foreign matter can be detected reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the foreign object detection method and apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional projected image diagram of a CRT monitor when a data signal is processed by the monitor device of the foreign object detection device of FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional projected image diagram of a CRT monitor when a data signal is processed by the monitor device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram of a conventional foreign object. It is an explanatory view of a detection device. 10... Container, 11... Rotating device, 12.
... light source, 14 ... foreign object, 20 ... image pickup tube,
22.32...Monitor device. Applicant Hitachi Plant Construction Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a foreign object detection method for detecting foreign objects floating in a solution in a transparent container, the transparent container is formed in a symmetrical shape and rotated around an axis of rotational symmetry, and the transparent container is irradiated with light. A method for detecting foreign matter, comprising: detecting a foreign matter in a solution by monitoring the locus of reflected light emitted from the foreign matter in the solution that has been exposed to the irradiated light. (2) The foreign object detection method according to claim 1, wherein the transparent container is rotated by 360 degrees or more and the length of the trajectory of the reflected light is monitored. (3) The foreign substance according to claim 1, wherein the transparent container is rotated by 180 degrees or more and the trajectory area of the reflected light to be monitored is divided into an area outside the container diameter and an area inside the container diameter. Detection method. (4) In a foreign object detection device that detects foreign objects floating in a solution in a transparent container, the transparent container is formed in a symmetrical shape, and a rotation device that rotates the transparent container around an axis of rotational symmetry; A light source that irradiates light onto a transparent container, a light receiver that receives and detects the reflected light emitted from foreign matter in the solution that receives the irradiated light from the light source, and a monitor device that monitors the trajectory of the reflected light detected by the light receiver. A foreign object detection device comprising: