WO2023002856A1 - Ultrasonic inspection device and inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

This ultrasonic inspection device comprises: a base; an inspection unit comprising a transmission unit that emits ultrasound and a reception unit that receives the ultrasound and is positioned such that there is a gap between the same and the transmission unit; and a mobile unit that is provided between the base and inspection unit and makes it possible to move the inspection unit in relation to the base in the direction in which the transmission unit and reception unit are aligned. The inspection unit additionally comprises a touching part that applies force to the inspection unit in the alignment direction as a result of touching a conveyance body that passes between the transmission unit and reception unit.

Description

Ultrasonic inspection device and inspection device

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic inspection device and an inspection device.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-119754 filed on July 20, 2021 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-165471 filed on October 7, 2021. , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

Conventionally, it has a transmitting unit that transmits ultrasonic waves toward the subject and a receiving unit that receives the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the subject, and by analyzing the reception status of the ultrasonic waves with respect to the receiving unit, the inside of the subject There is an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for detecting defects in (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition to ultrasonic inspection apparatuses, there are inspection apparatuses that inspect the appearance and internal state of a subject by an inspection section (for example, an image sensor, an X-ray sensor, or the like) as the subject passes through.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-027011

In this type of ultrasonic inspection apparatus, between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, defects inside the object are detected while conveying the object in a direction that intersects the direction in which the transmitting units and the receiving units are arranged (arrangement direction). may be detected. In addition, depending on the method of transporting the subject, the trajectory of transporting the subject passing between the transmitter and the receiver may be curved instead of straight, or may be curved with respect to the arrangement direction of the transmitter and the receiver. It is tilted without being orthogonal. Therefore, when the subject passes between the transmitting section and the receiving section, the position of the subject in the arrangement direction of the transmitting section and the receiving section changes.

In order to allow the change in the position of the subject in the arrangement direction, for example, it is conceivable to widen the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. However, when the distance between the transmitter and the receiver increases, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitter tend to circulate around the edge of the subject and reach the receiver, resulting in diffracted waves. If the receiver receives diffracted waves that do not pass through the object, it may not be possible to correctly detect defects inside the object, so generation of diffracted waves is not desirable.
Not limited to ultrasonic inspection equipment, in inspection equipment that inspects the appearance and internal state of the object by the inspection unit as the object passes through the inspection unit, if the position of the object with respect to the inspection unit changes, the object may is not preferred because it may not be possible to correctly inspect the

This disclosure was made in view of the circumstances described above. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and an inspection apparatus capable of suppressing a change in the position of a subject (carrier) with respect to an inspection unit regardless of how the subject (carrier) is transported.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is an inspection unit having a base, a transmitting section that emits ultrasonic waves, and a receiving section that is spaced from the transmitting section and receives the ultrasonic waves, a movable unit provided between the base and the inspection unit and capable of moving the inspection unit relative to the base in a direction in which the transmitter and the receiver are arranged; The ultrasonic inspection apparatus further includes a contact portion that applies a force in the arrangement direction to the inspection unit by contacting a conveying body passing between the portion and the receiving portion.

A second aspect of the present disclosure includes an inspection unit that inspects at least one of the external appearance and internal state of the object through which the object passes, and a tracking mechanism that causes the inspection unit to follow the movement trajectory of the object. is an inspection device comprising:

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a change in the position of the subject (transport body) with respect to the inspection section (inspection unit) regardless of the manner in which the subject (transport body) is transported.

1 is a front view schematically showing an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an inspection unit in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of an inspection unit in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an inspection unit and a movable unit in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a trajectory of transport of a subject passing between a transmitter and a receiver, and movement of an inspection unit according to the transport of the subject; It is a front view which shows typically the ultrasonic inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a front view which shows typically the ultrasonic inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a front view which shows typically the ultrasonic inspection apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment. It is a front view which shows typically the 1st modification of 4th embodiment. It is a front view which shows typically the 2nd modification of 4th embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modification of the inspection unit of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments; It is a front view which shows typically the ultrasonic inspection apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIG. 12 and a rotary transport device that transports a subject; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a first example of a movement trajectory of a subject when the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 13 is viewed from the side; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a second example of the movement trajectory of the subject when the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 13 is viewed from the side; It is a side view which shows typically a mode that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of 5th embodiment was applied to the conveyer type|mold transfer machine. FIG. 17 is a front view seen from the XVII direction of FIG. 16; It is a perspective view which shows typically a mode that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of 5th embodiment was applied to the pillow packaging machine. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a subject manufactured by the pillow packaging machine of FIG. 18 and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus of a fifth embodiment for inspecting the subject;

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment uses ultrasonic waves W to inspect defects in a subject 100 (carrier). The subject 100 of this embodiment is formed by overlapping and joining two members 101, and constitutes, for example, a packaging container. A defect in the object 100 is, for example, a peeled portion of the two members 101 that are joined together.
As shown in FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 includes a base 2 , an inspection unit 3 and a movable unit 5 .

The inspection unit 3 functions as an inspection unit that inspects internal defects (internal state) of the object 100 through which the object 100 passes. The inspection unit 3 is attached to the base 2 via a movable unit 5 which will be described later. The inspection unit 3 includes a transmitter (transmitter, emitter) 11 and a receiver (receiver) 12 . The transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12 are positioned at a distance from each other. The transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12 are fixed to the same fixed section 13 . As a result, the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 is maintained.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the transmitter 11 transmits (irradiates) an ultrasonic wave W toward the receiver 12 . Ultrasonic waves W are transmitted from a transmission surface (irradiation surface) 11 a of the transmission unit 11 . The transmission surface 11a of this embodiment is formed in a concave shape that is recessed from the periphery toward the center. As a result, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 11a are converged (focused) into a point. The transmission surface 11a of the present embodiment is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the transmission units 11 and the reception units 12 as illustrated in FIG. However, the shape of the transmission surface 11a is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the receiving section 12 is positioned apart from the transmitting section 11 and receives the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting section 11 . The receiving section 12 has a receiving surface 12a that receives the ultrasonic wave W and faces the transmitting surface 11a of the transmitting section 11 . The receiving surface 12a of this embodiment is formed in a concave shape that is recessed from the peripheral edge of the receiving surface 12a toward the center, similarly to the transmitting surface 11a. This makes it possible to receive the ultrasonic waves W that are transmitted from the transmission surface 11a and spread spherically after being converged. The receiving surface 12a may be formed so as to receive the converged ultrasonic waves W, for example. In FIG. 3, the receiving surface 12a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction in which the transmitting units 11 and the receiving units 12 are arranged (the X-axis direction). However, the shape of the receiving surface 12a is not limited to this.

In the drawing, the arrangement direction of the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 is indicated by the X-axis direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the main transmission direction of the ultrasonic wave W. FIG. In addition, the main direction in which the subject 100 passes between the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12, and the opposite direction is the negative Y-axis direction. direction. A direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is indicated by the Z-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the subject 100 passes between the transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12, the two members 101 constituting the subject 100 mainly move in the arrangement direction (X axial direction). Accordingly, the ultrasonic wave W transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 can be transmitted through the subject 100 in the direction in which the two members 101 overlap, and then received by the receiving unit 12 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the movable unit 5 is provided between the base 2 and the inspection unit 3. As shown in FIG. The movable unit 5 enables the inspection unit 3 to move in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 . Specifically, the movable unit 5 has a rail 31 and a block 32 attached to the rail 31 so as to be slidable in a linear direction. The rail 31 extends linearly and is fixed to the inspection unit 3 . The block 32 is fixed to the base 2 and is movable in its longitudinal direction with respect to the rail 31 within a predetermined range. Note that the rail 31 may be fixed to the base 2 and the block 32 may be fixed to the inspection unit 3 .
The movable unit 5 configured as described above allows the inspection unit 3 to move linearly in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 . The movable unit 5 may be, for example, a linear guide that allows the blocks 32 to move smoothly in a straight line direction without rattling with respect to the rails 31 . Also, the movable unit 5 may be configured to allow the blocks 32 to rattle with respect to the rails 31, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the inspection unit 3 further includes a contact portion (contact member) 15. The contact section 15 applies force in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction) to the inspection unit 3 by contacting the subject 100 passing between the transmission section 11 and the reception section 12 . When the subject 100 contacts the contact portion 15 , a force in the X-axis direction is applied to the inspection unit 3 , and the inspection unit 3 moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 .

The contact portion 15 of the present embodiment is guide portions (guide members) 21 and 22 that guide the subject 100 toward (the space between) the transmission portion 11 and the reception portion 12 . The guiding units 21 and 22 may be provided in at least one of the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 . In this embodiment, the guides 21 and 22 are provided in both the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 . The two guide portions 21 and 22 provided in the transmitting portion 11 and the receiving portion 12 are positioned apart from each other in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the distance between the two guides 21 and 22 is smaller than the distance between the transmitter 11 and receiver 12 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first guide section 21 provided in the transmission section 11 is provided at the edge of the transmission surface 11a located on the Y-axis negative direction side. The first guide portion 21 has a guide surface 21a facing in the Y-axis negative direction. The guide surface 21a of the first guide portion 21 is inclined in the positive direction of the Y-axis toward the positive direction of the X-axis (the side of the receiving portion 12). The second guide portion 22 provided in the receiving portion 12 is provided at the edge of the receiving surface 12a located on the Y-axis negative direction side. The second guide portion 22 has a guide surface 22a facing in the Y-axis negative direction. The guide surface 22a of the second guide portion 22 is inclined in the positive direction of the Y-axis toward the negative direction of the X-axis (transmission portion 11 side). As a result, the distance between the guide surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second guide portions 21 and 22 in the X-axis direction decreases toward the positive Y-axis direction.

Since the guides 21 and 22 are configured as described above, the subject 100 entering between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 moves along the X axis with respect to the gap between the two guides 21 and 22 . Even if the subject 100 is shifted in the direction, the two guide portions 21 and 22 are moved by the guide surfaces 21a and 22a of the guide portions 21 and 22 when the subject 100 contacts the guide surfaces 21a and 22a of the guide portions 21 and 22. (between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12).
Here, as described above, the inspection unit 3 can be moved in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 by the movable unit 5 . Therefore, when the subject 100 comes into contact with the guide surfaces 21a and 22a of the guide portions 21 and 22, force is applied to the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction. By moving the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 and the subject 100 , the subject 100 is guided between the two guides 21 and 22 .

The guiding portions 21 and 22 of this embodiment also serve as the restricting portions (shielding portions) 25 and 26 . The regulating units 25 and 26 prevent the ultrasonic wave W transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 from passing through the object 100 when the object 100 passes between the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12, as shown in FIG. It restricts (prevents) the arrival of the receiving unit 12 without Ultrasonic waves W from the transmitting unit 11 that try to reach the receiving unit 12 without passing through the subject 100 include ultrasonic waves that try to go around the edge 103 of the subject 100 as illustrated in FIG. There is a sound wave W2 (ie, a diffracted wave). The regulating units 25 and 26 do not regulate the ultrasonic wave W<b>1 (that is, transmitted wave) transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 through the subject 100 from reaching the receiving unit 12 .
In other words, the regulating units 25 and 26 regulate the second propagation path of the ultrasonic wave W2 that is different from the first propagation path of the ultrasonic wave W1 that passes through the subject 100 and reaches the receiver 12 . The second propagation path of the ultrasonic wave W2 is the propagation path of the diffracted wave (the ultrasonic wave W2 trying to go around the edge 103 of the subject 100) illustrated in FIG.

The regulating units 25 and 26 may be provided in at least one of the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, regulation sections 25 and 26 are provided in both the transmission section 11 and the reception section 12. FIG.
The first restricting portion 25 provided in the transmitting portion 11 is arranged to face the transmitting surface 11a in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction) and covers a part of the transmitting surface 11a. The first restricting portion 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the inner cross-sectional area of which decreases in the positive direction of the X axis (toward the receiving portion 12) from the transmitting surface 11a. The first restricting portion 25 may be formed in a conical tubular shape, for example. In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 25 is formed in a quadrangular-pyramidal tubular shape as shown in FIG. Of the openings at both ends of the cylindrical first restricting portion 25, the opening having the larger inner cross-sectional area is connected to the peripheral edge of the transmission surface 11a. Of the outer surface of the conical first restricting portion 25, the surface facing the Y-axis negative direction functions as the guide surface 21a of the first guide portion 21 described above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second restricting section 26 provided in the receiving section 12 is arranged to face the receiving surface 12a in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction) and covers a part of the receiving surface 12a. The second restricting portion 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the inner cross-sectional area of which decreases in the X-axis negative direction (transmitting side) from the receiving surface 12a. The second restricting portion 26 may be formed in a conical tubular shape, for example. In this embodiment, the second restricting portion 26 is formed in a quadrangular-pyramidal tubular shape as shown in FIG. Of the openings at both ends of the tubular second restricting portion 26, the opening having the larger inner cross-sectional area is connected to the peripheral edge of the receiving surface 12a. Of the outer surface of the conical second restricting portion 26 , the surface facing the Y-axis negative direction functions as the guide surface 22 a of the second guide portion 22 described above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second restricting portions 25 and 26, which are formed in conical cylindrical shapes, are transmitted from the transmitting portion 11, converge into a point shape, and then spread into a spherical shape before receiving. It is suitable for the aspect of the ultrasonic wave W reaching the part 12 . That is, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 11a of the transmission unit 11 and propagating while converging pass through the opening 25a (the transmission side opening 25a) of the cone-shaped cylindrical first restricting portion 25 on the side with the smaller cross-sectional area. , it is possible to go outside the first restricting portion 25 . In addition, the ultrasonic wave W emitted from the transmitting side opening 25a is transmitted inside the second restricting portion 26 from the opening 26a (receiving side opening 26a) of the conical cylindrical second restricting portion 26 with a smaller cross-sectional area. As it enters, it can reach the receiving surface 12 a of the receiving section 12 after expanding in a spherical shape.

In this embodiment, the distance between the transmitting side opening 25a and the receiving side opening 26a of the first and second restricting portions 25 and 26 (hereinafter referred to as the distance between the two restricting portions 25 and 26) is the distance between the transmitting portion 11 and the receiving portion. corresponds to a substantial spacing of 12. It is preferable that the distance between the two restricting portions 25 and 26 be as small as possible within the range where the subject 100 can be passed between them. For example, in a state where the subject 100 is positioned between the two restricting sections 25 and 26, it is preferable that the distance between the restricting sections 25 and 26 and the subject 100 is equal to or less than the wavelength of the ultrasonic waves W. FIG. In this case, the ultrasonic waves W2 (diffracted waves) that attempt to reach the receiving section 12 from the transmitting section 11 without passing through the subject 100 can be more effectively restricted.

The movable unit 5 and the contact portion 15 of this embodiment function as a tracking mechanism that causes the inspection unit 3 to follow the movement locus of the subject 100 . The movable unit 5 and the contact part 15 forming a follow-up mechanism cause the inspection unit 3 to follow the movement locus of the inspection target site inspected by the inspection unit 3 of the subject 100 . A site to be inspected of the subject 100 is, for example, a joint portion of two members 101 that are joined together in the subject 100 .

As described above, according to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the inspection unit 3 including the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 moves the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 to the base 2 by the movable unit 5. are movable in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction). The inspection unit 3 also has a contact portion 15 that applies a force in the arrangement direction to the inspection unit 3 by contacting the subject 100 passing between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 .
Therefore, if the position of the subject 100 in the arrangement direction changes when the subject 100 passes between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 , the subject 100 contacts the contact portion 15 of the inspection unit 3 . The inspection unit 3 is pushed in the arrangement direction. As a result, the inspection unit 3 is moved in the arrangement direction by the movable unit 5 so as to follow the change in the position of the subject 100 . As a result, even if the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 is substantially narrowed, the subject 100 can be moved between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 while allowing the position of the subject 100 to change in the arrangement direction. can pass between In other words, it is possible to substantially reduce the distance between the transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12 and suppress the generation of diffracted waves. Therefore, regardless of how the subject 100 is transported between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12, the generation of diffracted waves can be suppressed.

Here, an example of a mode of transportation of the subject 100 between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the subject 100 is transported such that the trajectory T1 of the transportation of the subject 100 passing between the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 is an arc when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Sometimes. For example, when the subject 100 is transported by a transport device (rotary transport device) that rotates about the Z-axis direction, the trajectory T1 of the transport of the subject 100 becomes an arc as shown in FIG. There is In this case, the position of the subject 100 (in particular, the inspection target portion of the subject 100) in the array direction (X-axis direction) changes while the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3 .

In contrast, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the movable unit 5 moves the inspection unit 3 in the arrangement direction so as to follow the change in the position of the subject 100 (that is, the movement locus of the subject 100). be able to. In this embodiment, the inspection unit 3 follows the positional change of the subject 100 by pressing the subject 100 against the guide surfaces 21a and 22a of the guide sections 21 and 22 in the arrangement direction in accordance with the positional change of the subject 100. This is performed by applying a force in the arrangement direction to the inspection unit 3. When the subject 100 is transported along the trajectory T1 shown in FIG. 5 and the position of the subject 100 changes in the negative direction of the X-axis, the transmitter 11 and the receiver of the inspection unit 3 indicated by two-dot chain lines 12 changes in the negative direction of the X-axis so as to become the positions of the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 indicated by solid lines.

Also, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the distance between the two guides 21 and 22 is smaller than the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress variation in the position of the subject 100 passing between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 in the arrangement direction of the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 . As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in the intensity of the ultrasonic wave W transmitted through the subject 100 and received by the receiving unit 12 (received signal intensity). Therefore, it is possible to inspect the subject 100 with high accuracy.

In addition, in the ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the guide units 21 and 22 for guiding the subject 100 between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 are arranged such that the subject 100 is positioned between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12. 12 , the ultrasonic wave W transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 does not pass through the subject 100 and reaches the receiving unit 12 . As a result, ultrasonic waves W2 (for example, diffracted waves) that do not pass through the object 100 are suppressed from reaching the receiving unit 12 without increasing the number of component parts of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, thereby detecting defects in the object 100. can be detected more correctly.

As described above, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the tracking mechanism including the movable unit 5 and the contact portion 15 causes the inspection unit 3 (inspection portion) to move in the direction in which the subject 100 passes (the Y-axis direction). ), the inspection unit 3 is moved in the orthogonal direction (arrangement direction, X-axis direction). As a result, the inspection unit 3 follows the movement trajectory of the subject 100 by the tracking mechanism. Therefore, when the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3 , positional change of the subject 100 with respect to the inspection unit 3 can be suppressed. Therefore, the internal state of the subject 100 can be correctly inspected by the inspection unit 3 .

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1D of the second embodiment includes a base 2, an inspection unit 3, and a movable unit 5, as in the first embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1D of this embodiment further includes a return section 6D. The return section 6D returns the inspection unit 3 to the reference position RP in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction).

The return section 6D of the present embodiment returns the inspection unit 3 to the reference position RP by gravity. Specifically, the return portion 6D is the rail 31 of the movable unit 5 arranged such that its longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. In FIG. 6, the X-axis direction indicates the horizontal direction. Also, the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction, and the Z-axis positive direction side indicates the upper side in the vertical direction.
In FIG. 6, the rail 31 extends in the negative direction of the Z-axis (that is, downward in the vertical direction) as it extends in the positive direction of the X-axis. As a result, a force (gravity) acting in the positive direction of the X-axis acts on the inspection unit 3 due to its own weight. The magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the inspection unit 3 (the force of the return portion 6D) is greater than the force of the subject 100 pushing the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction (X-axis negative direction in FIG. 6) against the gravity. Small is preferred.
The reference position RP of the inspection unit 3 in FIG. 6 is the end position in the movement range of the inspection unit 3 by the movable unit 5 and the lowest position in the movement range of the inspection unit 3 .

In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1D of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the subject 100 passes between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 of the inspection unit 3, the subject 100 in the X-axis direction The inspection unit 3 moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 so as to follow the position change of . Thereafter, when the subject 100 passes through between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 and the inspection unit 3 is positioned away from the reference position RP, the inspection unit 3 returns to the reference position RP by its own weight. .

According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1D of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1D of the second embodiment also includes a return section 6D that returns the inspection unit 3 to the reference position RP in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the transmission section 11 and the reception section 12. FIG. Therefore, even if the inspection unit 3 is positioned away from the reference position RP when the predetermined subject 100 passes through between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12, the inspection unit 3 is returned to the reference position by the return unit 6D. It can be returned to RP. This allows the subsequent subject 100 to enter between the transmitter 11 and receiver 12 of the inspection unit 3 placed at the reference position RP. Therefore, even if the position of the inspection unit 3 when the subject 100 passes through is deviated from the reference position RP, a plurality of subjects 100 can be continuously passed through the inspection unit 3 .

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the same components as in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1E of the third embodiment includes a base 2, an inspection unit 3, and a movable unit 5, as in the first embodiment. Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1E of the third embodiment further includes a return section 6E that returns the inspection unit 3 to the reference position RP in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction).

However, the return part 6E of the third embodiment is an elastic body 41E provided between the base 2 and the inspection unit 3. The elastic body 41E elastically expands and contracts according to the movement of the inspection unit 3 with respect to the base 2 in the X-axis direction. The magnitude of the elastic force of the elastic body 41E (the force of the return portion 6E) acting on the inspection unit 3 is smaller than the force of the subject 100 pushing the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction against the elastic force. preferable. The elastic body 41E illustrated in FIG. 7 is a spring, but may be, for example, rubber. In the case where there is one elastic body 41E that constitutes the return portion 6E as illustrated in FIG. do not do. The reference position RP of the inspection unit 3 in FIG. 7 is the end position of the movement range of the inspection unit 3 by the movable unit 5 . However, the reference position RP is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7, and may be in the middle of the movement range of the inspection unit 3, for example.

In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1E of the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the subject 100 passes between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 of the inspection unit 3, the subject 100 in the X-axis direction The inspection unit 3 moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 so as to follow the position change of . After that, when the subject 100 passes through between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12, if the inspection unit 3 is positioned away from the reference position RP, the inspection unit 3 moves toward the reference position due to the elastic force of the elastic body 41E. Return to position RP.

According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1E of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment are obtained.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1F of the fourth embodiment includes a base 2, an inspection unit 3, and a movable unit 5, as in the first embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1F of the fourth embodiment further includes a holding section 7F. The holding part 7F holds the inspection unit 3 at the reference position RP in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction).

The holding part 7F of this embodiment is composed of a pair of magnets 51F and 52F provided on the base 2 and the inspection unit 3. As shown in FIG. The pair of magnets 51F and 52F includes a base-side magnet 51F fixed to the base 2 and a unit-side magnet 52F fixed to the inspection unit 3 .
The pair of magnets 51F and 52F are located closest to each other when the inspection unit 3 is placed at the reference position RP. are arranged so that The magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the pair of magnets 51F and 52F when the inspection unit 3 is placed at the reference position RP is such that the subject 100 moves the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction against the magnetic force. It is preferably smaller than the pushing force.

The pair of magnets 51F and 52F are arranged on one side in the X-axis direction with respect to the main body portion (the portion including the transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12) of the inspection unit 3 arranged at the reference position RP. Specifically, the base-side magnet 51F is fixed to a portion of the base 2 located on the X-axis positive direction side (right side) of the main body portion of the inspection unit 3 arranged at the reference position RP. The unit-side magnet 52</b>F is fixed to a portion of the fixed portion 13 of the inspection unit 3 that extends in the positive direction of the X-axis from the receiving portion 12 .
The reference position RP of the inspection unit 3 in FIG. 8 is the end position of the movement range of the inspection unit 3 by the movable unit 5 .

In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1F of the fourth embodiment, when the inspection unit 3 is arranged at the reference position RP as shown in FIG. It is held at position RP. However, if the position of the subject 100 in the X-axis direction changes when the subject 100 passes between the transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12 of the inspection unit 3, the inspection unit 3 is moved by the subject 100 in the X-axis direction. It moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the base 2 so as to follow the position change of the subject 100 when pushed.

According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1F of the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.
Further, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1F of the fourth embodiment includes a holding section 7F that holds the inspection unit 3 at the reference position RP in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the transmitting section 11 and the receiving section 12. FIG. This can prevent the inspection unit 3 from being displaced from the reference position RP due to an unexpected external force (for example, vibration). As a result, it is possible to prevent the subject 100 from entering between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 due to unintended displacement of the inspection unit 3 .

In the fourth embodiment, for example, the holding section may be configured to hold the inspection unit 3 at each of a plurality of reference positions. In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1G illustrated in FIG. 9, the holding section 7G is configured to hold the inspection unit 3 at two reference positions separated from each other in the X-axis direction (arrangement direction). The holding portion 7G illustrated in FIG. 9 includes two sets of magnet units 50G1 and 50G2 each composed of a pair of magnets 51F and 52F. The pair of magnet units 50G1 and 50G2 are a first magnet unit 50G1 and a second magnet unit 50G2. The two sets of magnet units 50G1 and 50G2 are provided on both sides of the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction.

The pair of magnets 51F and 52F that constitute the first magnet unit 50G1 are positioned closest to each other when the inspection unit 3 is placed at the first reference position RP1 of the two reference positions. As a result, when the inspection unit 3 is arranged at the first reference position RP1, the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the pair of magnets 51F and 52F of the first magnet unit 50G1 moves the inspection unit 3 to the first reference position. It is held in RP1. In a state where the inspection unit 3 is arranged at the first reference position RP1, the pair of magnets 51F and 52F that constitute the second magnet unit 50G2 are positioned apart from each other in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the pair of magnets 51F and 52F of the second magnet unit 50G2 does not move the inspection unit 3 from the first reference position RP1.

When the inspection unit 3 is placed at the second reference position, the pair of magnets 51F and 52F of the second magnet unit 50G2 are positioned closest to each other. As a result, when the inspection unit 3 is arranged at the second reference position, the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the pair of magnets 51F and 52F of the second magnet unit 50G2 moves the inspection unit 3 to the second reference position. retained. When the inspection unit 3 is arranged at the second reference position, the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the pair of magnets 51F and 52F of the first magnet unit 50G1 prevents the inspection unit 3 from moving from the second reference position. Absent.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the fourth embodiment may include, for example, return units 6D and 6E similar to those of the second and third embodiments. In this case, the reference position of the inspection unit 3 by the return portions 6D and 6E and the reference position of the inspection unit 3 by the holding portions 7F and 7G may coincide with each other, for example. can be different.
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1H illustrated in FIG. 10 includes the return portion 6D (inclined rail 31) of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, and the holding portion 7F (a pair of magnets 51F, 52F). The reference position RP1 (first reference position RP1) of the inspection unit 3 by the return section 6D is the lowest position (Z-axis negative direction) in the movement range of the inspection unit 3 . The reference position (second reference position) of the inspection unit 3 by the holding portion 7F is a position above (in the Z-axis positive direction) the first reference position RP1.

In the fourth embodiment, the holding parts 7F, 7G are not limited to being composed of the pair of magnets 51F, 52F. The holding parts 7F and 7G may be configured by, for example, a magnet provided on one of the base 2 and the inspection unit 3 and a magnetic material (such as iron) provided on the other.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the transmission surface 11a of the transmission unit 11 converges, for example, in a line extending in the Z-axis direction so that the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 11a converge only in the Y-axis direction. may be configured to
Further, the transmission surface 11a of the transmission unit 11 may be formed so that the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 11a do not converge. In this case, the transmitting surface 11a of the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving surface 12a of the receiving unit 12 may be formed flat as shown in FIG. 11, for example.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the guide portions 21 and 22 do not have to serve as the restriction portions 25 and 26, for example. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, even if the guide units 21 and 22 are provided behind the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 in the passage direction of the subject 100 (Y-axis negative direction side). good. Guiding units 21 and 22 illustrated in FIG. 11 are provided in both the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 . These two guide portions 21 and 22 have guide surfaces 21a and 22a facing in the Y-axis negative direction. These two guide surfaces 21a and 22a are formed such that the distance between them widens in the negative Y-axis direction.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the contact portion 15 of the inspection unit 3 may be the transmitting portion 11 and the receiving portion 12, for example. That is, when the subject 100 contacts the transmitting section 11 or the receiving section 12 functioning as the contact section 15, force may be applied to the inspection units 3 in the arrangement direction.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the movable unit 5 and the contact portion 15 (following mechanism) functioning as a follow-up mechanism are arranged in a direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) through which the subject 100 passes with respect to the inspection unit 3 (inspection portion). The inspection unit 3 may be configured to move in the orthogonal direction according to the positional change of the subject 100 in the orthogonal direction. In other words, in the first to fourth embodiments, the movable unit 5 and the contact portion 15 move in the direction in which the subject 100 passes (for example, the Y-axis direction) and the transmission section 11 according to the position change of the subject 100, for example. Also, the inspection unit 3 may be moved in a direction (eg, Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (eg, X-axis direction) of the receivers 12 .

In the first to fourth embodiments, the object to be transported between the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 (inspection unit) is not limited to the subject 100, but may be transported together with the subject 100 by a transport device, for example. may be Things that are transported together with the subject 100 may be, for example, instruments that hold the subject 100, components of a mechanism for transporting the subject 100, and the like.

〔Task〕
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus capable of suppressing the generation of diffracted waves regardless of the manner in which a carrier such as a subject is transported between a transmitter and a receiver.

〔effect〕
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the generation of diffracted waves regardless of how the carrier is transported between the transmitter and the receiver.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-15. In the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment inspects the internal state (internal defect) of the subject 100 by passing the subject 100 as in the first embodiment. A unit 3 (inspection section) and a tracking mechanism 9J that causes the inspection unit 3 to follow the locus of movement of the subject 100 are provided. The configuration of the inspection unit 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the inspection unit 3 is not limited to, for example, the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and may be similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 and the like.

The following mechanism 9J of the fifth embodiment is configured to cause the inspection unit 3 to follow the movement locus of the inspection target site inspected by the inspection unit 3 of the subject 100, as in the first embodiment. Unlike the first to fourth embodiments, the tracking mechanism 9J of the fifth embodiment passively follows the movement trajectory (change in position) of the subject 100 when the inspection unit 3 is pushed by the subject 100. It is configured to actively follow the movement trajectory of the subject 100 .

The follow-up mechanism 9J is configured to move the inspection unit 3 in the orthogonal direction according to the positional change of the object 100 in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the object 100 passes (for example, the Y-axis positive direction). . Here, the orthogonal direction is, for example, the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the following mechanism 9J moves the inspection unit 3 in both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis positive direction is one direction in which the subject 100 passing through the inspection unit 3 extends. The edge portion 103, which is the tip portion of the subject 100 in the extending direction (positive direction of the Z-axis), is the inspection target portion of the subject 100 in this embodiment. The tracking mechanism 9J moves the inspection unit 3 in the Z-axis direction, so that the inspection unit 3 can follow the position change of the edge 103 (inspection target site) of the subject 100 in the Z-axis direction.

The follow-up mechanism 9J of this embodiment includes a driving section 91J that drives the inspection unit 3 in orthogonal directions (X-axis direction and Z-axis direction). The driving section 91J may be configured to reciprocate the inspection unit 3 in the orthogonal direction within a predetermined range. The drive unit 91J of this embodiment is a servo system using a ball screw, a linear motor, or the like. Since the driving section 91J is a servo system, the inspection unit 3 can be moved accurately.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the follow-up mechanism 9J of this embodiment further includes a position detection sensor 92J that detects the position of the subject 100 in orthogonal directions (X-axis direction and Z-axis direction). Specifically, the position detection sensor 92J detects the position of the edge 103 (inspection target site) of the subject 100 .
The position detection sensor 92J is positioned on the rear side of the inspection unit 3 (the side where the subject 100 approaches the inspection unit 3), with the main direction in which the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3 (positive Y-axis direction) as the front side. , the position of the subject 100 before reaching the inspection unit 3 is detected. The position detection sensor 92J includes an X-axis position detection sensor 92J1 and a Z-axis position detection sensor 92J2. The X-axis position detection sensor 92J1 detects the position of the subject 100 in the X-axis direction. The Z-axis position detection sensor 92J2 detects the position of the subject 100 in the Z-axis direction.

The drive section 91J drives the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction according to the position of the subject 100 detected by the position detection sensor 92J. For example, when the X-axis position detection sensor 92J1 detects that the subject 100 is located on the X-axis positive direction side of the reference position in the X-axis direction, the drive unit 91J moves the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis positive direction. to a predetermined position on the positive side of the X-axis from the reference position. Similarly, for example, when the Z-axis position detection sensor 92J2 detects that the subject 100 is positioned on the Z-axis positive direction side of the reference position in the Z-axis direction, the driving section 91J moves the inspection unit 3 to the Z It is driven in the positive direction of the axis and moved to a predetermined position on the positive side of the Z axis from the reference position.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment inspects a subject 100 transported by a rotary transport apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. The rotary conveying apparatus 200 is, for example, a rotary filling machine that fills the contents into the subject 100 while conveying the subject 100, which is a packaging container, and joins the edge 103 of the subject 100 to seal the contents. is. The rotary transfer device 200 has a rotary transfer table 201 that rotates around a rotation axis O1 extending in the Z-axis direction. The rotary carriage 201 rotates, for example, in the direction of arrow D1 shown in FIG.

The edge 103 (inspection target site) of the subject 100 transported by the rotary transport device 200 extends linearly when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The subject 100 is clamped by a clamper 203 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) or the like so that the edge 103 of the subject 100 extends in the tangential direction of a circular rotational orbit 202 centered on the rotational axis O1 on the rotary carriage 201. 201. The subject 100 may be attached to the rotating carriage 201 so that the longitudinal middle portion of the edge 103 is in contact with the rotating track 202 . In this embodiment, the subject 100 is attached to the rotary carriage 201 so that the longitudinal end of the edge 103 is in contact with the rotary track 202 .

Although only one subject 100 may be attached to the rotating carriage 201 , in this embodiment, a plurality of subjects 100 are attached so as to line up in the circumferential direction of the rotating carriage 201 . The method of attaching the subject 100 to the rotating carriage 201 may be the same or different among the plurality of subjects 100 .

In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the two test objects 100 are arranged so that the edges 103 of the two test objects 100 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the rotary carriage 201 extend in opposite directions in the circumferential direction from the point of contact with the rotation track 202 . are attached to the rotating carriage 201 . In this case, the method of mounting the subject 100 on the rotating carriage 201 differs between the two subjects 100 . Therefore, the movement trajectory of the edge portion 103 of the subject 100 passing through the inspection unit 3 differs between the two subjects 100 .

A plurality of subjects 100 are arranged on the rotating carriage 201 such that the edges 103 of the plurality of subjects 100 aligned in the circumferential direction of the rotatable carriage 201 extend in the same direction (for example, the direction of arrow D1) from the point of contact with the rotating track 202. may be attached to the In this case, the method of attaching the subject 100 to the rotating carriage 201 is the same for the plurality of subjects 100 . Therefore, the movement trajectory of the edge portion 103 of the subject 100 passing through the inspection unit 3 is the same among the plurality of subjects 100 .

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J inspects the edge 103 (inspection target part) of the subject 100 transported by the rotary transport apparatus 200. The inspection unit 3 is arranged so that the edge portion 103 of the subject 100 moving in the circumferential direction of the rotating carriage 201 passes therethrough. The Y-axis direction (linear direction) in FIG. 13 indicates the direction when the edge 103 of the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3 . The X-axis direction corresponds to the radial direction of the rotation track 202 of the rotary carriage 201, and the Z-axis direction corresponds to the direction in which the rotation axis O1 of the rotary carriage 201 extends.

When the subject 100 is transported by the rotary transport device 200 in the above state, the position through which the end of the subject 100 passes in the inspection unit 3 changes in the radial direction (X-axis direction). In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of this embodiment, the X-axis position detection sensor 92J1 detects the position change of the edge 103 of the subject 100 in the X-axis direction. Then, the drive unit 91J moves the inspection unit 3 in the X-axis direction according to the position of the edge 103 of the object 100 detected by the X-axis position detection sensor 92J1. The moving locus of the unit 103 is followed. As a result, the edge 103 of the subject 100 can be correctly passed through the inspection unit 3 and inspected by the inspection unit 3 correctly.

Further, when the subject 100 is transported by the rotary transport device 200 and passes through the inspection unit 3 mainly in the Y-axis direction, for example, as shown in FIG. In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J, the Z-axis position detection sensor 92J2 detects the position change of the edge 103 of the subject 100 in the Z-axis direction. Then, the drive unit 91J moves the inspection unit 3 in the Z-axis positive direction according to the position of the edge 103 of the object 100 detected by the Z-axis position detection sensor 92J2. The moving locus of the edge 103 is followed. As a result, the edge 103 of the subject 100 can be correctly passed through the inspection unit 3 and inspected by the inspection unit 3 correctly. Incidentally, even when the subject 100 moves in the Z-axis negative direction as well, the inspection unit 3 can be made to follow the movement trajectory of the edge portion 103 of the subject 100 in the same manner.

15, when the posture of the subject 100 is not correct and the subject 100 is transported by the rotary transport device 200 and passed through the inspection unit 3 mainly in the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis position The detection sensor 92J2 and the driving section 91J can cause the inspection unit 3 to follow the movement locus of the edge portion 103 of the subject 100. FIG. In FIG. 15, the edge 103 of the subject 100, which is the part to be inspected, is inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction (transport direction of the subject 100 by the rotary transport device 200). That is, in FIG. 15, when the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3 in the positive Y-axis direction, the inspection unit 3 gradually moves in the positive Z-axis direction to follow the movement locus of the inclined edge portion 103. .

According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.
That is, since the inspection unit 3 follows the movement trajectory of the subject 100 by the tracking mechanism 9J, positional change of the subject 100 with respect to the inspection unit 3 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to correctly inspect the internal state of the subject 100 by the inspection unit 3 . Further, the tracking mechanism 9J moves the inspection unit 3 in the orthogonal direction according to the positional change of the object 100 in the orthogonal direction (X-axis direction, Z-axis direction). It can follow the trajectory.

Further, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment, the follow-up mechanism 9J has a drive section 91J that drives the inspection unit 3 in the orthogonal direction. This allows the inspection unit 3 to follow the movement trajectory of the subject 100 without touching the subject 100 as in the first to fourth embodiments.

Also, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment, the follow-up mechanism 9J has a position detection sensor 92J that detects the position of the subject 100 in the orthogonal direction. Then, the drive section 91J drives the inspection unit 3 in the orthogonal direction according to the position of the subject 100 detected by the position detection sensor 92J. As a result, even if there is no reproducibility in the movement trajectory of the subject 100 (even if the movement trajectory of the subject 100 differs among a plurality of subjects 100), the inspection unit 3 can detect the movement trajectory of the subject 100 can be followed.

In the fifth embodiment, if the movement trajectory of the subject 100 is reproducible, the follow-up mechanism 9J may not include the position detection sensor 92J, for example. “Reproducibility of the movement trajectory of the subject 100” means that the movement trajectory (positional change) of the subject 100 passing through the inspection unit 3 is the same among the plurality of subjects 100 .
Further, when the movement locus of the subject 100 is reproducible, a cam mechanism or a link mechanism, for example, may be adopted as the drive unit 91J of the follow-up mechanism 9J. Cam mechanisms and link mechanisms are advantageous in that they can be constructed at a lower cost than servo systems.
Further, when the movement trajectory of the subject 100 is reproducible, the drive unit 91J may detect the movement of the subject 100 output from, for example, a carrier that transports the subject 100 (for example, the rotary carrier 200 shown in FIG. 13). The inspection unit 3 may be moved based on trajectory information (information such as the timing at which the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit 3).

In the fifth embodiment, the following mechanism 9J may move the inspection unit 3 only in one of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, for example.

In the fifth embodiment, the subject 100 is not limited to passing through the inspection unit 3 by moving in the Y-axis positive direction with respect to the inspection unit 3 . For example, the subject 100 may pass through the inspection unit 3 by causing the driving section 91J to move the inspection unit 3 in the Y-axis direction (that is, the direction in which the subject 100 passes). The configuration in which the driving section 91J moves the inspection unit 3 in the Y-axis direction may be applied to the first to fourth embodiments, for example.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J of the fifth embodiment is applied not only to the rotary conveying apparatus 200, but also to the conveyor type conveying machine 300 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, and the pillow packaging machine 400 illustrated in FIG. good too.

16 and 17, the conveyor-type transfer machine 300 conveys the subject 100, such as a packaging container, placed on the belt conveyor 301 in the linear direction (Y-axis positive direction). The conveyer-type carrier 300 conveys the subject 100 such that the longitudinal direction of the edge 103 (inspection target site) of the subject 100 is along the transport direction of the subject 100 .
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J is arranged at the end of the belt conveyor 301 of the conveyor type transfer machine 300 in the width direction (Z-axis direction). The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J measures the internal state of the edge 103 (inspection target part) of the object 100 that protrudes from the end in the width direction of the belt conveyor 301 among the objects 100 conveyed by the conveyer-type carrier 300. to inspect. In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J, by moving the inspection unit 3 in the vertical direction (X-axis direction) and the width direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the object 100, the object 100 (especially the edge 103 ) to follow the movement trajectory. As a result, the internal state of the edge portion 103 of the subject 100 can be correctly inspected while the subject 100 is being transported by the conveyer-type transporter 300 .

A pillow packaging machine 400 exemplified in FIG. 18 continuously manufactures a plurality of subjects 100 to be packaging containers from strip-shaped sheets 105 . In the pillow packaging machine 400 , both widthwise end portions of the belt-shaped sheet 105 are continuously joined at the sealing portion 401 . In the following description, the subject 100 is the strip sheet 105 joined at both ends in the width direction.
The ultrasonic inspection device 1J is arranged immediately after the seal portion 401 in the transfer direction (Y-axis positive direction) of the strip-shaped sheet 105 . As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J inspects the internal state of the joint portion 107 (inspection target portion) of the strip-shaped sheet 105 joined by the seal portion 401 of the subject 100. FIG. In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1J, by moving the inspection unit 3 in the width direction (X-axis direction) or the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the transfer direction of the subject 100 (band-shaped sheet 105), the subject 100 It is caused to follow the movement trajectory of (especially the joint portion 107). As a result, the internal state of the joint portion 107 of the subject 100 can be correctly inspected while the subject 100 is transferred (conveyed) by the pillow packaging machine 400 .

For example, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the first to fourth embodiments may be applied to the rotary conveying device 200, conveyor type conveying machine 300, and pillow packaging machine 400 described above.

In the fifth embodiment, the object to be transported through the inspection unit 3 (inspection section) is not limited to the subject 100, and may be transported together with the subject 100 by a transport device, for example. Things that are transported together with the subject 100 may be, for example, instruments that hold the subject 100, components of a mechanism for transporting the subject 100, and the like.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is not limited to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus as exemplified in the first to fifth embodiments, and any inspection that inspects the appearance and internal state of the subject by the inspection unit as the subject 100 passes through the inspection unit. applicable to the device. That is, in the inspection apparatus of the present disclosure, the inspection section is not limited to inspecting the subject 100 using ultrasonic waves as shown in the first to fifth embodiments.

In the inspection apparatus of the present disclosure, the inspection unit may inspect the subject 100 using, for example, X-rays. In this case, the inspection unit can inspect the internal state of the subject 100 by acquiring X-rays reflected or transmitted by the subject 100, for example.
Further, in the inspection apparatus of the present disclosure, the inspection unit may inspect the subject 100 using, for example, infrared rays or near-infrared rays. In this case, the inspection unit can inspect the internal state of the subject 100 by acquiring infrared rays or near-infrared rays reflected or transmitted by the subject 100, for example.

Further, in the inspection apparatus of the present disclosure, the inspection unit may inspect the subject 100 by acquiring an image of the subject 100, for example. In this case, the inspection unit may inspect the subject 100 by, for example, performing various types of processing on the acquired image. With such a configuration, the inspection unit can inspect the appearance of the subject 100 using the acquired image.
In addition, in the examination apparatus of the present disclosure, the examination section may examine the subject 100 using, for example, magnetic resonance. Specifically, the examination unit may examine the subject 100 by analyzing a magnetic resonance image (MRI) acquired from the subject 100, for example. In this case, the inspection unit can inspect the internal state of the subject 100 using magnetic resonance.

The present disclosure may be applied to ultrasonic inspection devices and inspection devices.

1, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J...Ultrasonic inspection device 2...Base 3...Inspection unit (inspection part)
5 Movable units 6D, 6E Returning parts 7F, 7G Holding part 9J Following mechanism 11 Transmitting part 12 Receiving part 15 Contacting parts 21, 22 Guiding parts 25, 26 Regulating part 91J Driving part 92J Position detection sensor 100 ... object (conveyor)
103 ... Edge (site to be inspected)
107 ... Joint part (part to be inspected)
RP, RP1...reference position W...ultrasonic wave

Claims (16)

1. a base;
   an inspection unit having a transmitting section that emits ultrasonic waves and a receiving section that is positioned at a distance from the transmitting section and receives the ultrasonic waves;
   a movable unit provided between the base and the inspection unit and capable of moving the inspection unit with respect to the base in the arrangement direction of the transmitter and the receiver;
   The ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the inspection unit further includes a contact portion that applies a force in the arrangement direction to the inspection unit by contacting a carrier that passes between the transmission portion and the reception portion.
2. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion has a guide portion that guides the carrier so that the carrier is positioned between the transmitter and the receiver.
3. When the carrier passes between the transmitter and the receiver, the guide prevents the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitter from reaching the receiver without passing through the carrier. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 2.
4. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a return section for returning the inspection unit to the reference position in the arrangement direction.
5. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a holding section that holds the inspection unit at a reference position in the arrangement direction.
6. an inspection unit that inspects at least one of an external appearance and an internal state of the subject through which the subject passes;
   a tracking mechanism that causes the inspection unit to follow the locus of movement of the subject;
   inspection device.
7. 7. The inspection according to claim 6, wherein the follow-up mechanism moves the inspection unit in the orthogonal direction according to a positional change of the subject in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the subject passes with respect to the inspection unit. Device.
8. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the follow-up mechanism has a driving section that drives the inspection section in the orthogonal direction.
9. The tracking mechanism further has a position detection sensor that detects the position of the subject in the orthogonal direction,
   The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drive section drives the inspection section in the orthogonal direction according to the position of the subject detected by the position detection sensor.
10. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the tracking mechanism causes the inspection unit to follow the locus of movement of the inspection target site of the subject.
11. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inspection unit inspects the subject using X-rays.
12. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inspection unit inspects the subject using ultrasonic waves.
13. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inspection unit inspects the subject using infrared rays.
14. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inspection unit inspects the subject using near infrared rays.
15. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inspection unit inspects the subject by acquiring an image of the subject.
16. The examination apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the examination unit examines the subject using magnetic resonance.

Images