Support for X-ray protection components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support for arranging a protective member in an X-ray inspection machine, wherein the support includes a plurality of receiving mechanisms connected successively before and after in the conveying direction so that the protective member can be easily installed or removed at a plurality of positions along the conveying direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for an X-ray protection element.

[0002] Industrial manufactured products, especially foodstuffs, are usually irradiated by means of an X-ray inspection machine (hereinafter referred to as an X-ray machine) in order to be able to inspect them for a prescribed state or to detect possible foreign bodies. In most cases, the products are manufactured or processed in various successive operations, for which they are moved along a conveying path through production equipment to individual machines. The conveying path also passes through a suitable X-ray machine here.

[0003] In X-ray inspection, it is important that the X-rays of the X-ray machine are restricted to a prescribed X-ray inspection space and do not undesirably leak into the equipment environment. Therefore, protective elements that block or absorb X-rays are provided at the entrance and exit of the inspection space along the conveying path. Here, it can be a curtain that hangs towards the conveying path and is known to the person skilled in the art. They can be composed of interconnected radiation-absorbing elements (e.g., lead plates) according to the type of articulated chain. Alternatively or additionally, radiation-absorbing sheets arranged side by side can also be considered or a combination of the two solutions. This curtain forms a substantially closed and thus radiation-impermeable boundary of the X-ray machine interior in the state of being fully suspended over the conveying path. The products fed into or conveyed out of the device move some elements of the protective element to the side along their conveying path until it is completely behind the curtain, so that the curtain is again in its closed form.

[0004] Protective elements are also known that are essentially composed of rigid plates and have through-openings. The plates are suspended vertically so that they just extend downwards above the conveying plane or the conveyor belt, on which the products are conveyed through the X-ray machine. The through-openings are located within the conveying path here, so that the products to be inspected can enter and exit the inspection space with a minimal gap through the openings. Thus, the plate delimits the inspection space upstream or downstream and only allows the through-openings themselves to be open, and the through-openings are then protected against radiation leakage by a separate mechanism. Protective elements without such through-openings are also known, so that the protective element is positioned high enough above the conveyor belt that the products pass underneath. Complete radiation protection is then ensured by additional protective elements and / or a suitably selected conveying path within the inspection space.

[0005] The different sizes of the products to be inspected mostly also require different protective elements to be used at different positions. In particular, the length of the product seen in the conveying direction X affects the position at which the curtain should be arranged at the entrance and exit of the X-ray machine. Longer products require a correspondingly larger inspection space in order to be able to be fully accommodated or irradiated therein, while during this time a part of the product does not protrude through the curtain at the machine entrance or exit. Accordingly, the protective elements must be spaced further apart from each other in the conveying direction X, and this greater spacing also depends on at which X position within the inspection space the X-ray fan beam for irradiating the product is located.

[0006] Products of each different processing batch mostly need to be processed at different conveying speeds and with variable spacing in the conveying direction. Each different product is usually also different with respect to its weight, its length in the conveying direction X, its width in the transverse direction Y extending perpendicular to the conveying direction X, or its height in the height direction Z extending perpendicular to the directions X and Y. Among them, at a certain X position along the conveying path on the X-ray machine, a dedicated protective piece customized for each respective product and its performance is respectively provided. In the practice known so far, the X-ray machine is supplied together with the protective pieces fixedly pre-installed according to quantity and position, and its on-site adjustment for each different product after supply is complex and costly. The different selection and positioning of suitable protective pieces for each application scenario cannot be satisfactorily solved in the prior art, usually involving high mechanical costs, which limit the product output and increase the personnel cost. For an X-ray machine configuration changed on-site, for example, when switching to a new product group with differently arranged or different protective pieces, the equipment must be re-accepted by a radiation protection specialist.

[0007] The task of the present invention is therefore to simplify the replacement and positioning of protective pieces of the aforementioned type and to allow the X-ray machine to be put back into operation in a simplified manner after a configuration change. This task is accomplished by the support, X-ray machine, and method of the present invention.

[0008] The present invention stems from the recognition that the protective piece can be easily replaced and positioned on the X-ray machine with the aid of a suitable support, and the support can be placed at or within the X-ray machine. The support includes at least two holding portions spaced from each other in the transverse direction. Each of the holding portions is designed according to the present invention to respectively receive a connecting portion of the protective piece, so that the protective piece can be temporarily fixed on the support thereby.

[0009] In order to allow the simple arrangement of the protective piece at different X positions as well, the support of the present invention provides that the holding portion has a plurality of individual receiving mechanisms along the longitudinal direction X. The receiving mechanisms can be successively arranged before and after in the X direction at disordered intervals, but preferably at ordered intervals, whereby they provide a plurality of possible X positions for arranging the protective piece. Therefore, a protective piece can be placed at or removed from an X position defined by the receiving mechanisms and specifically set according to the application scenario by means of the connecting portion formed thereon.

[0010] The receiving mechanism according to the invention can be any component known per se to the person skilled in the art, which allows for an effective connection with the connecting portion of the protective element in order to fix the protective element relative to the support. A particularly simple receiving mechanism is a hole or a slot open upwards, into which a connecting portion of the protective element projecting transversely in the Y direction in the form of a pin can be inserted or hooked in. Both holding portions of the support can for example be designed as perforated strips or toothed rails, where both strips extend in the X direction above and beside the conveying path, such that the protective element can be mounted or suspended between the two strips and extends downwards towards the conveying path. A hook-shaped receiving mechanism that inserts into a suitable recess of the connecting portion (or vice versa) is also conceivable.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, other receiving mechanisms are also conceivable, such as small projections in the transverse direction Y, which can be inserted into a suitable recess of the connecting portion of the protective element. A magnetic mechanism is also conceivable, which defines an X position along the holding portion for the placement of the protective element, wherein the protective element is provided with a connecting portion adapted to cooperate with the magnetic mechanism. Thus, the receiving mechanism can for example have a magnet or be designed to be ferromagnetic, while the connecting portion of the protective element can be correspondingly designed to be ferromagnetic or have a magnet. The region between these receiving mechanisms can be designed to be non-magnetic, so that the protective element cannot be placed in such an intermediate position. The receiving mechanism can also include a drivable electromagnet, such that a magnetic action is temporarily or permanently established only at the X position where the protective element should be installed by means of a suitable control unit. The operator can thus "feel" the correct X position with the protective element without having to obtain information from a display that may be difficult to see at that moment (a display here means a mechanism centrally arranged on the machine for optically outputting any form of information, different from a dedicated display mechanism that only outputs information about the X position at certain X positions).

[0012] It is also conceivable to design the receiving mechanism as part of a locking connection, which forms a spring-actuated form-fit or friction-fit between the receiving mechanism and the connecting portion of the associated protective element. Thus, the receiving mechanism can have a hole, into which a spring-preloaded ball, as part of the connecting portion of the protective element, can be latched. A functionally opposite solution is also conceivable, where the receiving mechanism of the holding portion includes a spring-driven locking element for insertion into a suitable recess on the receiving mechanism of the protective element.

[0013] The receiving mechanism can preferably be operated without tools or engaged and disengaged from the connecting portion of the protective element. This simplifies and speeds up the replacement or displacement of the protective element. In addition to the simple connection mechanisms described (hole-pin, hanging slot, hook, toothed rail, etc.), connection means are also conceivable, where a manually operated knurled screw or wing nut is installed to lock the connection. For example, the connecting portion of the protective element can have an external thread extending in the transverse direction Y, which passes through a suitable recess of the holding portion and can be detachably locked with such a nut on the opposite side.

[0014] Instead of individually fixing a separate receiving part relative to the respective receiving mechanism, it is conceivable to simultaneously fix a plurality of protective elements mounted in this support by means of a fixing mechanism acting over the entire length range or a longer section thereof of the holding part. Thus, the connecting part of the protective element designed as a pin can be inserted into the receiving mechanism from above, which is designed, for example, as an upwardly open slot. A track formed in the X direction and capable of rotating thereon relative to the holding part can be rotated about a rotation axis extending in the X direction into a fixed position after installation, in which position the track will be located on or above the pin tops of all inserted protective elements. Thus, the track prevents the upward removal of the protective element from the slot in the holding part. Occupying or leaving the fixed position by means of the track or its operation can be achieved by an manually operable, electromechanical or other mechanism known to those skilled in the art. For example, a superior controller can preferably prompt or prevent the rotation of the track in the case of evaluating process signals.

[0015] Other mechanisms that can simultaneously fix a plurality of protective elements in their inserted positions are also conceivable for the present invention, such as a track that can be manually moved in the X direction. Alternatively, a suitable fixing mechanism can be individually provided for each individual X position or the connection formed there, for example by means of a manually operable or automatically operable handle, a magnetic mechanism, a locking mechanism, etc.

[0016] Preferably, the two holding parts are designed such that the receiving mechanisms respectively arranged thereon are arranged opposite each other in pairs in the transverse Y direction at the same X position. The receiving mechanisms successively arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction X form a grid, which has a plurality of discrete X positions for arranging the protective elements in such X positions. The conceivable grid pitch is, for example, from 0.5 cm to 2 cm. According to the present invention, the protective elements should not be arranged between two X positions predefined by adjacent receiving mechanisms.

[0017] In an improved embodiment of the present invention, it is also conceivable that not only one row of receiving mechanisms successively arranged in the X direction is provided for each holding part. For example, a multi-row design overlapping in the height direction Z on the holding part and having different grids in the X direction expands the positioning possibilities for different applications.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the holding part, preferably its receiving mechanism, is coded at a predefined X position. The coding should assist the operator who wants to insert or remove the protective element from the support, so as to quickly identify the relevant protective element or the X position set therefor. This coding also allows for a simple verification in combination with the detector described below whether the X-ray machine is set up as required (which can also be stored or archived by means of a suitable storage mechanism).

[0019] Here, it can for example be a mechanical mechanism that allows a certain protective part (specifically its connection part) to be installed in a certain receiving mechanism or at a certain X position along the retaining part. In one embodiment of the present invention, mechanical coding prevents the installation of a protective part that is not suitable for the X position. For this, for example, a suitable pin profile (circle, triangle, square, star, etc.) can be envisaged together with a recess that is complementary in shape to it on the receiving mechanism or the connection part. By means of a specially coordinated insertion profile, certain protective parts can only be placed at certain X positions, so that incorrect assembly of the X-ray device is easily avoided. A magnetic mechanism can also be part of this coding, and in terms of installing the protective part at the specified X position, it can be assisted (the connection part and the receiving mechanism attract each other) or prevented (the connection part and the receiving mechanism repel each other) for example by a suitable magnetic polarization of the receiving mechanism and the associated connection part. Additionally, the receiving mechanism and the cooperating connection part can be designed to accurately position the installation of the protective part, so that a connection part can only be inserted into one of the support retaining parts, but not into the other (preferably laterally opposed in the Y direction) retaining part. Thus, it is ensured that the protective part can only be inserted in the specified orientation and not rotated, for example, by 180°.

[0020] Optically measurable mechanisms are also considered as coding. Here, a color marking of a certain receiving mechanism or its X position can be envisaged. For example, the receiving mechanism or the X position for a protective part to be placed at this X position for product type F1 has a red mark. Given knowledge of the product type to be processed now and the color "red" belonging to product type F1, the operator can easily identify the associated X position and place the protective part there. The X position or the receiving mechanism marked in blue is not suitable for processing products of type F1, but is provided for products of type F2. In the same way, letters, numbers or symbols can alternatively or additionally be used for this.

[0021] In a particularly preferred variant, the optical coding is installed not only on the support, but also on a suitable protective part. The arrangement becomes simpler in this case. For example, it is then easy to see that a protective part marked with a triangle should only be placed at the X position that is also marked with a triangle.

[0022] The coding also includes machine-readable coding, such as barcodes, QR codes and RFID coding. The coding can also include markings, so that specific physical parameters or other parameters of the associated protective part can be derived from a certain code, perhaps using a database for this. The coding mechanism can also be rewritten with data.

[0023] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a lighting mechanism which is used for encoding. The lighting mechanism is designed such that, for example, according to a product type to be processed, the X position of the protective element to be installed or the associated receiving mechanism is displayed or illuminated by a suitable lighting mechanism. For example, an LED at a predetermined X position can be controlled by a superior controller. Additionally, multiple lighting mechanisms can also be arranged at a certain X position, which, for example, indicate in different colors which protective element (preferably marked with the same color) is to be placed at this position. For example, it can be envisaged that different protective elements are to be installed for different product types, but both are at the same X position.

[0024] Obviously, the aforementioned encoding can also identify multiple X positions, for example, in order to respectively identify the positions of the protective elements at the entrance and exit of the X-ray examination space.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of detection mechanisms are provided in order to be able to detect the type and / or X position and / or encoding of the protective element installed in the support. In the simplest case, it is a mechanical detection mechanism here, for example, because only specific receiving mechanisms can be combined with specific connecting parts. If, for example, the star-shaped connecting part of the protective element is inserted into the recess (receiving mechanism) complementary in shape to it in the support, the form / type of the protective element can be inferred from the known association between the star-shaped connecting part and the associated protective element. The aforementioned encoding can also be understood in the broadest sense as a detection mechanism.

[0026] The detection mechanism preferably includes suitable sensors which detect markings that can be read on the respective protective element and send a signal to a superior controller (conversely, the protective element can also be equipped with one or more detectors to read the encoding on the support and transmit it to the controller). In the simplest case, the detection is limited to whether a protective element is placed at the respective X position, in order to, for example, prevent the operation of the X-ray machine in the case of incorrect X positioning.

[0027] Suitably, the detection mechanism is designed to detect the protective element placed at a certain X position with respect to its type or encoding. Sensors suitable for this can be, for example, based on one or more of the following technologies: barcodes, QR codes, RFID, image recognition, gratings, proximity sensors, weight sensors, mechanical scanners, pressure switches. The protective element to be measured is equipped with an information carrier belonging to the corresponding technology for this purpose. A detection mechanism can be provided separately for each X position or for a group of X positions. Alternatively or additionally, a detection mechanism can also monitor multiple positions jointly, for example, in the form of a camera or an RFID antenna with a larger reading range. The evaluation of the parameters collected by the detection mechanism is suitably carried out by a controller, which can also be designed to control other components of the X-ray machine.

[0028] One advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining parts of the support are each formed by an L-shaped profile which extends in the longitudinal direction X. One arm of the L-shaped profile can be used to preferably detachably fix the retaining part to the X-ray machine, while the other arm has a receiving mechanism for connection to the protective element. The arm which preferably extends in the height direction Z can for example be designed as a perforated strip, wherein the holes succeeding one another in the longitudinal direction X form the receiving mechanism through which the connection part designed as a pin of the protective element to be inserted can be passed.

[0029] Alternatively, the two retaining parts of the support according to the invention can also be the opposing arms of a flat, preferably right-angled, inverted U-profile. These two arms can extend in the height direction Z and be designed as a perforated strip, a toothed rail, etc., as in the aforementioned L-profile. The flat top of the U-profile connecting the two arms in the transverse direction Y can here simultaneously delimit a part of the X-ray inspection space. It can also have at least one seam which preferably extends in the transverse direction Y and through which the X-ray or the X-ray fan beam can pass for alignment. The retaining part can be designed as a bent plate element.

[0030] Depending on the length of the product to be inspected, it may be necessary to lengthen the X-ray inspection space in the conveying direction X. Accordingly, the protective elements which at least partially delimit the inspection space in the conveying direction should also be arranged at a greater distance from one another. Appropriately, the support according to the invention is preferably telescopically extendable for this purpose. For example, a plurality of the aforementioned L-profiles or U-profiles can be designed to be nested and longitudinally displaceable relative to one another. The length change of the support according to the invention can be effected manually or automatically by means of a suitable drive device. It is conceivable to automatically carry out the length setting according to the type of product to be processed or the product groups to be processed or corresponding identification. The protective elements already installed in the support then automatically move to the X-position corresponding to the product, such that the inspection space is automatically adjusted to the correct longitudinal dimension.

[0031] Depending on the product type or product group, different configurations of the X-ray machine, especially those related to the prescribed length setting, X-position or the corresponding protective elements to be used, can be checked and accepted by a radiation protection officer, for example, with regard to their radiation safety before the machine is supplied. Then, when the configuration is changed, it is no longer necessary to separately check the radiation safety on site.

[0032] Appropriately, the prescribed extended length is provided with a marking or a sensor, so that the length of the support required therefor and / or the desired total length of the support can be easily set for a specific product. It is also conceivable that the X-position is displayed on a display, output in some other way, color-coded or appropriately illuminated (see above), until the first retaining part is moved relative to the second retaining part which is telescopically displaceable relative to it in the longitudinal direction X to form the desired total length for a certain type of product to be processed.

[0033] Instead of telescopic extension, the support can also be designed to be expandable in a modular manner. For example, a plurality of the aforementioned L-profiles or U-profiles can be plugged together as modules in the longitudinal direction X, wherein the different lengths of these modules can form many possible total support lengths when combined. The modules can also have electrical interfaces to forward signals of sensors provided on the modules or control signals for locking mechanisms or light-emitting mechanisms, etc., via adjacent modules.

[0034] The X-ray machine of the present invention comprises the aforementioned support and at least one radiation-absorbing shield of the aforementioned type that can be installed in the support. The product to be inspected can be transported through the X-ray inspection space along the transport path in the transport direction X. The holding portion of the support extends above and / or beside the transport path in the X direction, and the at least one shield extends through the transport path transversely to the X direction. Compared with the prior art, the X-ray machine provides the following advantage, namely, one or more shields can be easily arranged in various optional or predetermined X positions.

[0035] Preferably, the X-ray machine comprises a control unit and a display device that can be controlled by the control unit in order to be able to display or guide the various method steps. The control unit is designed to display at least one identification feature of the protective element to be installed or installed in the support and / or its predetermined and / or located X position. The display device can be a display / operating terminal as a main display device of the machine, via which instructions for operating the X-ray machine are output to the operator. Alternatively or additionally, multiple (local) display devices can also be arranged at or near each X position to display the respective X position (for example, in order to install or remove the protective element at this position). For example, a local lighting device (LED, etc.) can be arranged on the receiving device for each suitable X position, which can be switched on by the superior control unit to display the corresponding X position. Suitably, the control unit and the display cooperating therewith are designed to display the operating instructions for installing or removing the protective element by means of a perspective image, from which the relevant X position and / or design and / or attitude of the protective element relative to other components of the X-ray machine can be seen three-dimensionally.

[0036] Acoustic display means (horn, buzzer, voice output, etc.) are also conceivable in order, for example, to output a request to remove or install a protective element or to indicate the X position or the protective element in question.

[0037] The identification features for certain guards to be installed may include numbers, codes, colors, symbols, electronically readable features or other instructions that allow or enable the operator to easily select or assign a certain guard to a certain product to be processed and / or a certain associated X position.

[0038] For example, the controller can execute the following method. Here, after selecting a certain type of product to be processed, the number or other code of the protective part to be used for this type is output. Additionally or alternatively, the X position of the protective part to be installed can also be output via a display, and if necessary, the respective X position can also be highlighted via a local display mechanism (such as an LED) there. In the same way, the protective part to be removed can be specified in the display and / or the X position of the protective part to be removed can be displayed.

[0039] Suitably, the control unit is also designed to output signals related to a certain X position and / or the protective part to be loaded or already loaded to other data processing devices via an analog or digital signal interface.

[0040] Preferably, the X-ray inspection system of the present invention includes a detector for automatically detecting the identification features or codes of the protective parts and / or for identifying whether the protective parts occupy certain X positions. Thereby, the following method can be realized. Here, according to the position (X position) and / or according to the type (for example, for a certain product), the correct placement of the protective parts can be automatically or with the participation of the operator checked, and certain method processes can be started or aborted. The detector allows for a very simple automatic verification (checking whether it is correctly set) of the machine, namely the protective parts used and their X positions. In addition to the protective parts used and their X positions, the setting data can especially also include information about their hitherto service life, the still expected service life, the still allowed service life, etc.

[0041] The adjustment conditions can be stored and archived locally or centrally. The adjustment conditions can also be assigned to the product being inspected at this time. For this purpose, the relevant product can have a data carrier or a mark for storing or identifying the adjustment conditions used for the product (identification of the protective parts used, their respective X positions, production time, etc.) on the product itself.

[0042] For example, the control unit can be informed by the superior equipment controller of a product change, from the hitherto product F1 to the new product F2, and for the new product, the type or position of the protective parts hitherto used needs to be changed. For the protective parts used in the machine for the hitherto product F1 or the X positions occupied by them, they can then be displayed via the display or the local display mechanism at their respective X positions based on the requirement to remove them. Through the detector at the respective X position, the control unit can then find out whether the protective parts installed there have also been correctly removed, and perhaps output an error message and / or a correction instruction.

[0043] It is also possible to automatically determine from a data memory (which can be part of the control unit) the protective part or its code to be used corresponding to the assigned product F2 and the associated X position or positions. The protective part to be used for the new product F2 can then be displayed in the above-described manner according to type and X position. A suitable detector can detect whether a protective part has been installed in the correct X position. A suitable detector can also read the code placed on the installed protective part after installation in order to be able to check the correct selection of the protective part and the X position used for its installation.

[0044] If, for example, the protective part is correctly selected but installed in the wrong X position, the control unit can output a correction indication by detecting the incorrectly used X position, which can include an indication or display of the correct X position, or also the number of receiving mechanisms required to move the incorrectly installed protective part in the conveying direction X or opposite to the conveying direction X to reach the correct position. This can be particularly helpful when a protective part has to be installed under difficult lighting conditions or in a hard-to-reach support. Thus, the automatic output information, which can be output on a display or acoustically or by a local lighting mechanism near the support, simplifies the correct installation or removal, for example: move the protective part three holes to the left (where "hole" means each successive receiving mechanism of the support in the X direction).

[0045] If the wrong protective part is detected as being installed by the detector, a corresponding correction indication can also be output by the above-described display means. The operation of the device can be automatically inhibited until the correct arrangement of the correct protective part is automatically detected and checked and / or confirmed by the operator.

[0046] The above-described features and properties of the support of the present invention can also be immediately applied or used for a belt which is designed for conveying products and has such a support. The support arranged on the belt is then designed to arrange other components important for the product conveyance at defined X positions along the conveying direction X, rather than for receiving one or more protective parts.

[0047] A belt having a support of the aforementioned type thus has, in the same way, at least one holding part having receiving mechanisms, similar to the aforementioned embodiment and the preceding description referring to it. Instead of the protective parts to be arranged in the support, it is provided to arrange components related to product conveyance (hereinafter referred to as conveying components), which in particular include: a collection container, a sorting mechanism, an identification mechanism, a rejection mechanism, and a grating and other sensors for detecting products or their product features on the belt. Such conveying components can be arranged on the belt at different X positions along the conveying direction depending on the product type in order to carry out the defined tasks for the conveying process.

[0048] Thus, for example, it can be conceived that a specified product is laterally removed (along the transverse direction Y) from the conveying path by means of a suitable ejection mechanism in order to pick it out from the product sequence and guide it, for example, to a collection container provided beside the belt body. For this purpose, the product can first be irradiated with X-rays to determine the continued conveyance or ejection of the product based on the irradiation assessment.

[0049] The ejection can be carried out, for example, immediately downstream of the X-ray irradiation by means of a suitable ejection mechanism (ejector, push rod, blow pipe, rotatable guide plate, etc.), wherein the ejection mechanism and possibly the associated collection container will be arranged, for example, at a certain X position that varies depending on the product type according to the respective product length. The receiving mechanism of the support, as has been widely proposed above for the protective element, provides a possible way to arrange or mount such conveying components on the belt body in the same manner and with the same function. Similar to the protective element, the conveying component has a connecting portion that cooperates with the receiving mechanism of the support. All the functional and device features described above for the support (especially identifying and setting the selected or occupied X position by means of a display and / or other display mechanisms, encoding and collecting the encoding, fixing the protective element on the support, etc.) also apply equally to the conveying components that cooperate with the support of the belt body (which replace the protective element that cooperates with the support).

[0050] Several features of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the examples of the drawings, wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 The X-ray machine of the present invention is shown in a simplified view;

[0052] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 Detail view;

[0053] Figure 3a An embodiment of the protective element is shown;

[0054] Figure 3b Another embodiment of the protective element is shown;

[0055] Figure 4 The belt body together with several conveying components arranged thereon is shown;

[0056] Figure 5 Shown from another perspective according to Figure 4 View;

[0057] Figure 1An X-ray machine G is shown in a simplified perspective view. The machine G can be arranged along a production line to convey products along a conveying path W past the machine G for X-ray inspection. In the case shown, the conveying path extends in the horizontal conveying direction X. The lateral direction Y runs transversely to the conveying direction, and the height direction Z runs orthogonally to both directions X and Y. The components of the X-ray machine or the support of the present invention that are important for the present invention are located within the dashed circle "A", and the objects within the circle can be seen magnified in Figure 2 where the objects within the circle can be seen magnified.

[0058] An X-ray inspection space R is formed in the center of the X-ray machine G, in which products (not shown in detail) can be X-rayed. For this purpose, an X-ray fan beam V is generated from an X-ray source (above the X-ray inspection space R) that is blocked in Figure 2 and is located in the Y-Z plane. The product is moved past this fan beam V along the conveying path W or in the conveying direction X by means of a belt H and then leaves the X-ray machine G again. A camera mechanism (not shown in detail) is provided below or within the belt for detecting the X-rays changed by the X-rayed product.

[0059] Only the Figure 2 shown X-ray inspection space R must be completely enclosed during operation to prevent harmful X-rays from leaking into the environment. Along the side of the conveying path W, a cover (arched cover) is provided for this purpose, which is omitted in Figure 2 for better overview. The belt H closes the inspection space R substantially downward, and the cover (not visible in detail) forms an upper radiation protection above the conveying path W. A protective member S is provided respectively at the entrance and exit of the conveying direction X or the X-ray inspection space, and only the downstream protective member S can be seen in Figure 2 In the case shown, the protective member S is basically formed by a rigid rectangular plate that extends transversely to the conveying path W in the Y-Z direction. A through-opening K is provided in the center of the lower edge of the protective member S, through which the product to be inspected just passes.

[0060] To arrange one or more protective members S, a support T of the present invention is provided above the conveying path W and laterally to the conveying path W in the lateral direction Y. The support T includes two holding portions M, N that extend parallel to each other in the X direction, and each holding portion is designed as an L-shaped long profile. The upper horizontal arm of the L-profile is mounted on the upper part of the X-ray machine G. The respective other arm of the L-profile projects downward by a section in the opposite direction to the height direction Z towards the belt H. In this embodiment, the two L-profiles together with the wide top O located between them form a downwardly open U-profile. The top O can also be part of the upper boundary of the inspection space R or the radiation protection there.

[0061] In the X direction, a plurality of receiving mechanisms L are provided in the profile arm at ordered intervals, which are formed here by simple holes or openings. Each receiving mechanism L is at a certain X position, where, Figure 2 The shown X positions P1, P2, P3... are merely exemplary and should not be construed as exclusive. The receiving mechanism L of one holding part M is opposed to the corresponding receiving mechanism L of another holding part N in the transverse direction Y at the same X position. The two holding parts M, N are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y, so that the protective member S shown in detail in Figure 3 can be installed at substantially any X position P defined by the receiving mechanism L respectively therebetween.

[0062] Figure 3a The protective member S is shown together with a central through-opening K on the lower side, just as it has been similarly shown in Figure 2 in the installed form. The protective member S is substantially rectangular, and its width roughly corresponds to Figure 2 the net width between the respective downwardly hanging L-shaped arms of the two holding parts M, N in

[0063] According to Figure 3b The protective member S has a similar size and connection parts A, B with similar functions. However, the protective member is not designed as a plate, but as a curtain described below, which has individually vertically hanging and laterally mutually partially separated flexible and bendable sheets. The sheets are so flexible that the products conveyed through the curtain can temporarily press the sheets to the side or push the sheets in the direction of movement, whereupon they then return to their positions as Figure 3b shown and form a substantially closed radiation protection.

[0064] Two protective members S are equipped with a simplified shown coding mechanism J at the edges, which contains information related to certain protective member properties (type, protective effect, product suitability, size, production date or date of last use or functional inspection, etc.). The coding mechanism is designed to store data for a long time or temporarily and provide the data in a readable manner, for example, by RFID technology or barcode technology.

[0065] According to Figure 2 The X-ray machine G is equipped with a plurality of detectors E at a plurality of X positions, where, Figure 2Only one detector at the X-position P2 is shown by way of example. The detector E is designed to recognize whether a protective element S is inserted at the X-position P2. The detector E or another detector not shown here can also be designed to read the code J of the protective element S arranged at a certain X-position. The data collected by the detector E are input into a control unit C, which is designed to control the various functions of the X-ray machine G and to output information by means of a display means D. Depending on the data input into the control unit C, it can be ascertained, for example, whether a suitable protective element S has been used at the correct X-position for a certain product processing.

[0066] The display means D1 is a "global" display means in the form of a display, so that each type of information can be output or (in the case of a touch screen, for example) also input. In particular, the display D1 is used to output action instructions to the operator, which, for example, name a certain protective element S or the X-position suitable for the protective element. In addition, the X-ray machine also includes "local" display means D2 at each X-position, and only one of them in the form of an LED is shown at the X-position P3. The local display means are each arranged in the vicinity of a certain X-position in order to display the corresponding X-position to the operator during a certain method process.

[0067] Figure 2 The X-ray machine shown is designed, with the aid of the associated control unit C, to indicate to the operator information relating to the type and / or X-position of the protective element S inserted into or removed from the support T, where the X-position can be displayed by means of a global or local display means or by means of an acoustic display (buzzing, warning sound, voice output, etc.). The description of the protective element S can also be output in this way, where the description can be retrieved from a memory accessible to the control unit C and / or can be ascertained and output in the case of an evaluation of the code J collected by the detector E.

[0068] Figure 4 The X-ray machine G is shown in a simplified view, where the belt body H has the support of the invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Similar to the embodiment of, the support consists of two holding parts M, N arranged on the belt body H and opposed to each other in parallel. In this case, the holding parts M, N designed as perforated strips have holes as receiving means L, and several holes are shown. Figure 1 -3

[0069] The receiving mechanism L is used to fix a plurality of conveying components on the support at certain X positions along the support H. Therefore, the grating 13 is arranged on the holding part M, and the grating can identify the products conveyed by the belt conveyor with light rays oriented along the transverse direction Y. The sorting device 11 is installed on the holding part N, and it can apply jet air to the products to be sorted transversely to the conveying direction X by means of two jet nozzles. Thus, the products are sent to a collecting container 12 arranged on the holding part M opposite to the sorting device 11 in the transverse direction Y. The collecting container 12 is fixed on the holding part M by a fixing cheek plate 14 with a suitable connecting part. The X positions of the grating 13, the sorting device 11, the collecting container 12, and other conveying components not shown in detail here can be arbitrarily and appropriately selected by the receiving mechanism L for respective fixing.

[0070] Figure 5 Another partial sectional perspective view shows the arrangement according to Figure 4 In this view, the collecting container 12 and the grating 13 are omitted. It can be clearly seen that the sorting device 11 is connected to the holding part N through the connecting part A provided thereon and a plurality of receiving mechanisms L designed as holes. The X position for fixing the sorting device can be appropriately selected in coordination with a prior inspection (such as X-ray transmission), so that the products do not reach the sorting device before the end of the X-ray transmission evaluation and perhaps a signal indicating product rejection is sent to the sorting device when the conveying speed is known.

[0071] Reference numerals

[0072] A Connecting part

[0073] B Connecting part

[0074] C Control unit

[0075] D1 Display mechanism (display)

[0076] D2 Display mechanism (LED)

[0077] E Detector

[0078] G X-ray inspection machine (X-ray machine)

[0079] H Belt

[0080] J Marking / coding

[0081] K Through opening

[0082] L Receiving mechanism

[0083] M Holding part

[0084] N Holding part

[0085] O Top of the U-shaped support

[0086] P1, P2, P3 X-position

[0087] R X-ray inspection space

[0088] S Protective part

[0089] T Support

[0090] V X-ray fan beam

[0091] W Conveyor path

[0092] X Conveyor direction

[0093] Y Transverse direction

[0094] Z Height direction

[0095] 11 Sorting device

[0096] 12 Collection container

[0097] 13 Grating

[0098] 14 Fixed cheek plate

Claims

1. An X-ray inspection machine (G) having a support (T) for a protective member (S), wherein, The protective element (S) is designed to absorb X-rays to prevent X-rays from leaking out of an X-ray examination space (R) at least partially delimited by the protective element (S). A conveying path (W) extends longitudinally (X) through the X-ray examination space. It is characterized in that, a) the support (T) includes at least two holding parts (M, N) spaced apart from each other transversely (Y), and b) wherein, the protective element (S) can be temporarily fixed to the support (T) in such a way that the corresponding connecting parts (A, B) of the protective element (S) are connected to one of the corresponding holding parts (M, N), c) wherein, at least one of the holding parts (M, N) has a plurality of individual receiving mechanisms (L) arranged at uniform or non-uniform intervals along the longitudinal direction (X), so that the connecting parts (A, B) of the protective element (S) can be detachably installed in the holding part (M, N) at selectable X positions (P1, P2...) by means of the receiving mechanisms (L) and can be replaced.

2. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the holding parts (M, N) includes a material part extending along the longitudinal direction (X), and the material part has a plurality of fastening mechanisms.

3. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fastening mechanisms are holes or other grooves respectively serving as the receiving mechanisms (L).

4. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The receiving mechanisms (L) of the holding parts (M, N) are designed to be connected to or separated from the connecting parts (A, B) of the protective element (S) without tools, so that the protective element (S) can be easily loaded into the support (T), repositioned within the support (T), or removed therefrom.

5. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The holding parts (M, N) have coding at settable X positions (P1, P2...) to allow or simplify the correct installation of the protective element (S).

6. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The receiving mechanisms (L) of the holding parts (M, N) have coding at settable X positions (P1, P2...) to allow or simplify the correct installation of the protective element (S).

7. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The coding a) includes mechanical mechanisms and / or magnetic mechanisms, so that the selected receiving mechanism (L) has a dedicated mechanical and / or magnetic insertion profile, and the insertion profile can be connected to the connecting part (A, B) of the protective element (S) coded to match the insertion profile, and / or b) includes optically detectable mechanisms, which simplify the combination of finding the X positions preset for or occupied by the protective element (S) on these receiving mechanisms (L) with the connecting parts (A, B) of the protective element (S) marked to match the coding, and / or c) includes a light-emitting mechanism to display the X positions preset for the installation of the protective element (S) to the operator by light.

8. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A detector (E) is provided to be able to detect the type and / or X position (P1, P2...) and / or coding of the protective element (S) loaded into the support (T).

9. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The detector (E) is provided on the holding parts (M, N) or their receiving mechanisms (L).

10. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, wherein, a) wherein, the holding parts (M, N) are formed by L-shaped angle profiles extending in the X direction, or b) wherein the support (T) is designed as a downwardly open U-shaped profile, at least part of the two arms thereof form the holding parts (M, N), and the top (O) connecting the two arms is also designed to define the X-ray inspection space.

11. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support (T) can be telescopically withdrawn or extended in a modular form in the X direction to increase the number of possible receiving mechanisms (L) for accommodating the protective member (S) or to change its position.

12. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The holding parts (M, N) of the support (T) can be telescopically withdrawn or extended in a modular form in the X direction to increase the number of possible receiving mechanisms (L) for accommodating the protective member (S) or to change its position.

13. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1, a) having at least one radiation-absorbing protective member (S) that can be inserted into the support (T), the protective member (S) comprising at least partially flexible curtains or substantially rigid plates, with or without product passage openings (K), b) wherein the product to be inspected can be conveyed along a conveying path (W) in the X direction past the X-ray inspection machine (G), c) and wherein, The holding parts (M, N) of the support (T) extend in the X direction and are thus arranged above the conveying path (W), such that the at least one protective member (S) extends across the conveying path (W) in a transverse direction (Y) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (X) and extends downward from the support (T) in the height direction (Z).

14. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 1 further includes a control unit (C) and an optical and / or acoustic and / or electromechanical display mechanism (D1, D2) that can be controlled by the control unit (C), wherein, The control unit (C) is designed to display via these display means (D1, D2) and / or output in the form of digital signals and / or analog signals the identification features and / or the predetermined and / or current X position of at least one protective member (S) to be inserted into or already inserted into the support (T).

15. The X-ray inspection machine (G) according to claim 14, further comprising a detector (E) for detecting the X position and / or identification features of the protective member (S) inserted into the support (T).

16. A method for removing or installing a protective element (S) in an X-ray inspection machine (G) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The current and / or to-be-occupied X position and / or at least one identification feature of at least one protective member (S) to be removed from or inserted into the support (T) is displayed via the display means (D1, D2).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, In the case where it is recognized based on the identification features and / or X position that the protective member (S) has been incorrectly removed or installed, it is displayed via the display means (D1, D2) a) that the installation or removal is incorrect, and / or b) which correct X position is preset for the installation or removal, and / or c) in which direction and / or by what number of longitudinally consecutive receiving mechanisms (L) or their respective corresponding X positions the incorrectly occupied X position deviates from the correct X position.

18. A radiation-absorbing protective member (S) designed to be installed in the support (T) of the X-ray inspection machine (G) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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