X-ray inspection equipment

Abstract

An X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation unit for irradiating an article with X-rays; a conveyor unit for conveying the article in one direction so that the article passes through an irradiation space irradiated by the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit for detecting X-rays that have passed through the article; and an X-ray shielding door disposed on one side of the conveyor unit in a widthwise direction perpendicular to both the conveying direction and the vertical direction of the article, the X-ray shielding door opening the irradiation space to the outside when open and preventing X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space when closed. An inclined portion is formed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the X-ray shielding door. When viewed in the conveying direction in the closed state, the inclined portion is inclined downward from one side in the widthwise direction toward the other side. In the closed state, a lower vertical end of the inclined portion is positioned closer to the other side in the widthwise direction than an end of the conveyor unit on one side in the widthwise direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In the production line of food and other commodities, for example, an inspection is carried out to check for foreign matter mixed into the packaging of the commodities. In such an inspection, an X-ray inspection device is used, which irradiates X-rays to the commodities continuously transported while being placed on a conveyor belt, and determines the status of the commodities based on the amount of X-ray transmission detected by a linear sensor or the like. In such an X-ray inspection device, an X-ray shielding portion (shielding box) is provided to prevent X-rays from leaking from the X-ray irradiation space. In addition, an X-ray shielding door is provided for a portion of the X-ray shielding portion, which allows access to the X-ray irradiation space from the outside of the X-ray shielding portion. When the X-ray shielding door is closed, it prevents the leakage of X-rays, and when it is open, the operator can perform maintenance work such as cleaning the various components in the X-ray irradiation space.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-183201) discloses an X-ray shielding door comprising a main body and side walls (protruding portions). The side walls are composed of an upper side wall portion, a left side wall portion, a right side wall portion, and a lower side wall portion, each bent toward the X-ray irradiation space with the periphery of the main body as a base end. These side walls effectively block X-rays from leaking out of the X-ray irradiation space when the X-ray shielding door is closed.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional X-ray inspection device, although the lower side wall portion is configured to be inclined downward when closed, since there is a lower side wall portion that can support water or dirt from below, water or dirt sometimes adheres to and remains in this portion.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus that can effectively prevent X-rays from leaking through an X-ray shielding door even without providing a protruding portion at the lower end of the X-ray shielding door. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An X-ray inspection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: an X-ray irradiation unit for irradiating an article with X-rays; a conveying unit for conveying the article in one direction so that the article passes through an irradiation space of the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit for detecting X-rays that have passed through the article; an X-ray shielding door, which is arranged on one side in a width direction perpendicular to both the conveying direction and the vertical direction of the article relative to the conveying unit, opens the irradiation space to the outside in an open state, and prevents X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space in a closed state, and an inclined portion is formed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, and when viewed from the conveying direction in the closed state, the inclined portion is inclined downward from one side in the width direction toward the other side, and in the closed state, a lower end portion in the vertical direction of the inclined portion is closer to the other side in the width direction than an end portion position on one side in the width direction of the conveying unit.

[0007] In this X-ray inspection device, a flat, inclined portion is formed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door. When closed, the lower end of the inclined portion is positioned closer to the width of the conveyor unit than to the end on one side. Therefore, the inclined portion is located along the linear path for X-rays to escape between the conveyor unit and the inclined portion. This effectively prevents X-rays from escaping through the X-ray shielding door, even without a protrusion at the lower end.

[0008] Alternatively, in the X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the upper end of the inclined portion may be located above the conveying surface of the conveying portion. In this configuration, since the majority of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door is formed flat, water can be effectively guided downward from above.

[0009] In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the inclined portion may extend linearly from an upper end to a lower end of the inclined portion. In this configuration, water can be effectively guided downward from above on the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door.

[0010] Alternatively, in an X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a protrusion may be formed on the X-ray shielding door. The protrusion protrudes from a portion of a peripheral end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, with the peripheral end as its base, toward the other side in the width direction. A portion of the lower end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, included in the peripheral end, has an inclined lower end portion aligned with the lower end portion of the inclined portion. In addition to the inclined lower end portion, a protrusion is provided at the lower end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, which is inclined along the transport direction. With this configuration, the protrusion can more reliably prevent X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space. Furthermore, even when the protrusion is provided at the lower end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, the inclination of the protrusion can prevent water or dirt from adhering to and remaining in that portion. As a result, the area where X-ray leakage is to be reliably prevented can be precisely treated while also preventing water or dirt from adhering to a portion of the X-ray shielding door.

[0011] Alternatively, in an X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is arranged so as to sandwich the inclined lower end portion in the conveying direction, and the protrusion is inclined downward toward the inclined lower end portion in the conveying direction. With this structure, it is possible to precisely treat the area where it is desired to reliably prevent X-ray leakage while suppressing the adhesion of water or dirt to a portion of the X-ray shielding door.

[0012] Alternatively, the X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include a support portion supporting the X-ray detection unit, wherein the protrusion is positioned so that a portion thereof is vertically below the support portion when viewed in the width direction. In this configuration, the protrusion is not positioned in the area where the support portion shielding the X-rays in the transport direction is positioned, thereby maximizing the downward flow of water. The X-ray shielding function can be achieved in the area where the support portion is not positioned. This prevents the adhesion of water and dirt while also preventing X-rays from leaking through the X-ray shielding door.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, even if a protrusion is not provided at the lower end of the X-ray shielding door, it is possible to effectively prevent X-rays from leaking through the X-ray shielding door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the X-ray shielding door when it is open.

[0017] Figure 4 It is from Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along the IV-IV direction when the X-ray shielding door is in a closed state.

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an X-ray shielding door of an X-ray inspection device.

[0019] Figure 6 It is from Figure 5 A perspective view of an X-ray shielding door with the hinge removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, an X-ray inspection apparatus 1 according to a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present disclosure will be described. It should be noted that in the description of the accompanying drawings, the same elements are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figures 1 to 6 In the diagram, mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions are defined. The X-axis direction is parallel to the conveying direction X in which the conveyor 5 conveys the article A. The Y-axis direction is the width direction Y on the conveying surface of the article A and is orthogonal to the conveying direction X. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction Z that is orthogonal to both the conveying direction X and the width direction Y.

[0021] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 includes an apparatus body 2, support legs 3, a shielding box 4, a conveyor unit 5, an X-ray irradiator 6, an X-ray detector 7, a display and operation unit 8, and a control unit 10. The X-ray inspection apparatus 1 captures an X-ray transmission image of an article A while conveying the article A. Based on the X-ray transmission image, the article A is inspected (e.g., for storage count, foreign matter contamination, missing parts, cracks, or defects).

[0022] It should be noted that articles A before inspection are carried into the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 by an in-conveyor 91, and articles A after inspection are carried out of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 by an out-conveyor 92. Articles A determined as defective by the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 are distributed outside the production line by a sorting device (not shown) located downstream of the out-conveyor 92, while articles A determined as acceptable by the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 pass directly through the sorting device.

[0023] The device body 2 houses the control unit 10 and the like. The supporting legs 3 support the device body 2. The shielding box 4 is provided in the device body 2 to prevent X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space R of the X-rays irradiated by the X-ray irradiation unit 6. The shielding box 4 is formed with a carrying inlet 4a and a carrying out outlet 4b. In addition, in the shielding box 4, an X-ray shielding door 20 is provided on one side of the width direction Y that is orthogonal to the conveying direction X and the vertical direction Z of the article A (i.e., the front side on which the operator operates the X-ray inspection device 1). The X-ray shielding door 20 is provided with an X-ray shielding door 20 that opens the irradiation space R to the outside when it is open and prevents X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space R when it is closed. The X-ray shielding door 20 will be described in detail later.

[0024] The uninspected article A is carried into the shield box 4 via the inlet 4a from the inlet conveyor 91, and the inspected article A is carried out from the shield box 4 via the outlet 4b to the outlet conveyor 92. An X-ray shielding curtain 11 is provided at the inlet 4a and the outlet 4b to prevent X-ray leakage.

[0025] The conveyor unit 5 is disposed within the shielded box 4 and transports articles A from the inlet 4a to the outlet 4b so that the articles A pass through the X-ray irradiation space R. The conveyor unit 5 includes a conveyor belt 5A and a conveyor belt support unit 5B. The conveyor belt 5A transports articles A placed on the belt B by, for example, rotating the belt B, which is stretched between the inlet 4a and the outlet 4b, in the transport direction. The conveyor belt support unit 5B supports the conveyor belt 5A and the X-ray detection unit 7, which will be described in detail later. It is cantilevered from the apparatus main body 2.

[0026] The X-ray irradiation unit 6 is disposed within the shield box 4 and irradiates the article A conveyed by the conveyor belt 5A with X-rays. The X-ray irradiation unit 6 includes, for example, an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays and a collimator for expanding the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube into a fan shape in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction X.

[0027] The X-ray detector 7 is located within the shield box 4 and detects X-rays transmitted through the article A and the belt B. The X-ray detector 7 is configured, for example, as a linear sensor. Specifically, the X-ray detector 7 includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged one-dimensionally in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X, and a scintillator positioned on the X-ray incident side relative to each photodiode. In this case, the X-rays incident on the scintillator are converted into light in the X-ray detector 7, and the light incident on each photodiode is converted into an electrical signal. The X-ray detector 7 is supported by the conveyor support 5B.

[0028] The display operation unit 8 is provided on the device body 2 and performs various information display and input acceptance of various conditions. The display operation unit 8 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays an operation screen as a touch panel. In this case, the operator can input various conditions via the display operation unit 8.

[0029] The control unit 10 is located within the apparatus main body 2 and controls the operation of each component of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1. The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and other components. The A / D-converted signal output from the X-ray detection unit 7 is input to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 functions as an inspection unit that generates an X-ray transmission image of the article A based on the signal and inspects the article A based on the X-ray transmission image.

[0030] Next, the X-ray shielding door 20 will be described in detail. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the X-ray shielding door 20 is arranged on one side of the conveyor belt 5A in the width direction Y and is opened (see FIG. Figure 3 ) open the irradiation space R to the outside, and in the closed state (refer to Figure 2 ) to prevent X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space R. The X-ray shielding door 20 is fixed to the support leg 3 by a hinge portion 27. Figure 5 As shown, the hinge portion 27 includes a first frame portion 27a, a rotation axis 27b, and a second frame portion 27c. The first frame portion 27a is fixed to the support leg 3. The second frame portion 27c is configured to rotate about a rotation axis 27b extending in the X-axis direction relative to the first frame portion 27a. The second frame portion 27c is fixed to the X-ray shielding door 20. The X-ray shielding door 20 can be switched between an open state and a closed state by rotating about the hinge portion 27. The X-ray shielding door 20 is provided with a handle 29 for the operator to operate.

[0031] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the X-ray shielding door 20 has an inner surface 21 and an outer surface 22. In addition, the X-ray shielding door 20 includes a front portion 30, a left front portion 40, and a right front portion 50. The front portion 30 has an inner surface 31 and an outer surface 32. Figure 4 As shown, a flat inclined portion 60 ( Figure 3 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The inclined portion 60 is closed when viewed from the conveying direction X and is viewed from one side in the width direction Y ( Figure 4 left side of the paper) toward the other side ( Figure 4 The inclined portion 60 is formed into a flat surface when viewed from the width direction Y.

[0032] The inclined lower end portion 62, which is the lower end portion of the inclined portion 60, is aligned with one side in the width direction Y of the conveying portion 5 ( Figure 4 Compared with the position of the end portion 5E on the left side of the paper, the other side ( Figure 4 on the right side of the paper). In other words, in the top view observed from the vertical direction Z, the inclined lower end portion 62 is located below the position of the end portion 5E of the conveying portion 5, and the length distance below the conveying portion 5 is G1 (for example, 0mm to 10mm). It should be noted that the distance G1 of 0mm means that the inclined lower end portion 62 is located directly below the end portion 5E. The inclined lower end portion 62 extends in a manner inclined downward toward the center of the front portion 30 along the X-axis direction, but in its entire extension direction, it is closer to the other side of the width direction Y than the position of the end portion 5E of the conveying portion 5 ( Figure 4 The X-ray shielding door 20 is positioned so that the distance G2 between the inclined portion 60 and the conveyor belt support portion 5B in the width direction Y is minimized. The inclined upper end portion 63, which is the upper end of the inclined portion 60, is located above the conveying surface TF of the conveyor unit 5 (i.e., the belt B on which the article A is placed).

[0033] The left front portion 40 has an inner surface 41 and an outer surface 42, and the right front portion 50 has an inner surface 51 and an outer surface 52. The left front portion 40 and the right front portion 50 are arranged so as to sandwich the front portion 30 in the conveyance direction X. A protrusion 70 is provided on a portion of the peripheral end 21a of the inner surface 21 of the X-ray shielding door 20 (the region comprising the inner surface 31 of the front portion 30, the inner surface 41 of the left front portion 40, and the inner surface 51 of the right front portion 50), the protrusion 70 protruding toward the other side in the width direction Y with the peripheral end 21a as the base end.

[0034] The protrusion 70 includes a first protrusion 71 that protrudes from the lower end 41a of the inner surface 41 of the left front portion 40; a second protrusion 72 that protrudes from the lower end 51a of the inner surface 51 of the right front portion 50; a third protrusion 73 that protrudes from the side end 41b of the inner surface 41 of the left front portion 40; a fourth protrusion 74 that protrudes from the side end 51b of the inner surface 51 of the right front portion 50; and a fifth protrusion 75 that protrudes from the upper end 31c of the inner surface 31 of the front portion 30, the upper end 41c of the inner surface 41 of the left front portion 40, and the upper end 51c of the inner surface 51 of the right front portion 50. The protrusion 70 of this embodiment can be formed by bending the peripheral ends of the front portion 30, the left front portion 40, and the right front portion 50 by, for example, stamping, or by connecting to other components by welding.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the first protrusion 71 is inclined downward toward the front portion 30 in the conveying direction X. In the closed state, the front end of the first protrusion 71 is located below the conveying portion 5. The second protrusion 72 is inclined downward toward the front portion 30 in the conveying direction X. In the closed state, the front end of the second protrusion 72 is located below the conveying portion 5. In the conveying direction X, there is no protrusion 70 between the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72. The lower end 21b included in a portion of the peripheral end 21a of the X-ray shielding door 20 of this embodiment is formed by the lower end 31a of the inner surface 31 of the front portion 30, the lower end 41a of the inner surface 41 of the left front portion 40, and the lower end 51a of the inner surface 51 of the right front portion 50. However, no protrusion 70 is formed at the inclined lower end 62, which is the vertical lower end 31a of the inner surface 31 of the front portion 30. When viewed in the width direction Y, the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 are provided so that a portion thereof is located below the belt support portion 5B in the vertical direction Z.

[0036] Next, the effects of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, a flat inclined portion 60 is formed on at least a portion of the inner surface 21 of the X-ray shielding door 20. When closed, the inclined lower end 62 of the inclined portion 60 is located on the other side of the width direction Y relative to the end 5E on one side of the conveyor unit 5. Therefore, the inclined portion 60 is located on the linear path for X-rays to escape between the conveyor unit 5 and the inclined portion 60. This effectively prevents X-rays from leaking through the X-ray shielding door 20, even without a protrusion on the lower end 21b of the X-ray shielding door 20.

[0037] In addition, since the inclined portion 60 is formed flat from the inclined upper end portion 63 to the inclined lower end portion 62, Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown by the arrow W1, even when water is used for cleaning, water can be smoothly guided from the top to the bottom. Thus, it is possible to prevent water or dirt from adhering to and remaining on the X-ray shielding door 20. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the hinge portion 27 is disposed, but a sufficient gap required for water to flow is formed between the inner surface 31 of the front portion 30 to which the hinge portion 27 is attached and the rotation axis 27b of the hinge portion 27.

[0038] In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the upper end of the inclined portion 60 may be located above the conveying surface of the conveying portion. In this configuration, since most of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door is flat, water can be effectively guided downward from above.

[0039] Since the inclined portion 60 in the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment extends linearly from the inclined upper end portion 63 to the inclined lower end portion 62 , water can be efficiently guided downward from the upper side on the inner surface 21 of the X-ray shielding door 20 .

[0040] The X-ray shielding door 20 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is provided with the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, the fourth protrusion 74, and the fifth protrusion 75, thereby more reliably preventing X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space R. In addition, even when the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 are provided at the lower end 21b of the inner surface 21 of the X-ray shielding door 20, since the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 are inclined, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown by arrows W2 and W3, even when water is used for cleaning, water can be smoothly directed from top to bottom. This prevents water or dirt from adhering to and remaining on the X-ray shielding door 20. As a result, while reliably preventing X-ray leakage, it also prevents water or dirt from adhering to a portion of the X-ray shielding door 20.

[0041] In the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 are provided so as to sandwich the inclined lower end portion 62 in the conveyance direction X. The first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 are inclined downward toward the inclined lower end portion 62 in the conveyance direction X. This can reliably prevent the leakage of X-rays while suppressing the adhesion of water or dirt to a portion of the X-ray shielding door 20.

[0042] In the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, the first and second protrusions 71 and 72 are positioned so that a portion thereof is located vertically below the conveyor support unit 5B when viewed in the width direction Y. In this configuration, the conveyor support unit 5B, which shields X-rays, is positioned in the conveyance direction X. In areas where X-rays are less likely to leak downward, the widthwise protrusions 70 are not positioned, maximizing the downward flow of water. In areas where the conveyor support unit 5B is not positioned, the X-ray shielding function is maintained. This prevents the adhesion of water and dirt while also preventing X-rays from leaking through the X-ray shielding door 20.

[0043] As mentioned above, although one embodiment has been described, one aspect of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of one aspect of the disclosure.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 is described using an example of an X-ray shielding door 20 having a left front portion 40 and a right front portion 50, and inner surfaces of the left and right front portions 40 and 50, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 may include only the front portion 30 and its inner surface 31, with the inner surface 31 being entirely formed by the inclined portion 60.

[0045] While the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is described as being provided with the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, the fourth protrusion 74, and the fifth protrusion 75, these protrusions may not be provided or may be provided selectively. Furthermore, the protrusion 70 may be provided at a portion of the peripheral end 21a of the X-ray shielding door 20, unlike in the above embodiment and its modified examples. Even in this case, the protrusion 70 may be provided at a location other than the inclined lower end 62.

[0046] In the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, an example is described in which the inclined lower end portion 62 is aligned with the lower end 21b of the inner surface 21 of the X-ray shielding door 20, i.e., no member extending downward from the inclined lower end portion 62 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a portion may extend vertically downward from the inclined lower end portion 62, or a portion may be bent at an obtuse angle toward one side (the front side) in the width direction Y from the inclined lower end portion 62.

Claims

1. An X-ray inspection device comprising: An X-ray irradiation unit irradiates an object with X-rays; a conveying unit configured to convey the article in one direction so that the article passes through an irradiation space of the X-ray irradiation unit; An X-ray detection unit for detecting X-rays that have passed through the object; as well as The X-ray shielding door is arranged on one side of the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and the vertical direction of the article relative to the conveying unit, and opens the irradiation space to the outside when in an open state, and prevents X-rays from leaking from the irradiation space when in a closed state. An inclined portion is formed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the X-ray shielding door, and when viewed from the conveying direction in the closed state, the inclined portion is inclined downward from one side to the other side in the width direction. In the closed state, a lower end portion of the inclined portion in the vertical direction is positioned closer to the other side in the width direction than an end portion of the conveying portion on one side in the width direction.

2. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein An upper end portion of the inclined portion is located above a conveying surface of the conveying portion.

3. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inclined portion extends linearly from an upper end to a lower end of the inclined portion.

4. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The X-ray shielding door has a protrusion formed thereon, the protrusion protruding from a portion of a peripheral end of an inner surface of the X-ray shielding door toward the other side in the width direction with the peripheral end as a base end. A portion of the lower end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door included in a portion of the peripheral end is formed with an inclined lower end portion that is consistent with the lower end portion of the inclined portion. The protrusion inclined along the conveying direction is provided at a lower end of the inner surface of the X-ray shielding door in addition to the inclined lower end portion.

5. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The protrusion is provided so as to sandwich the inclined lower end portion in the conveying direction. The protruding portion is inclined downward toward the inclined lower end portion in the conveying direction.

6. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The X-ray inspection apparatus further includes a support portion that supports the X-ray detection portion. The protrusion is provided so that a portion of the protrusion is located vertically below the support portion when viewed in the width direction.

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