Inspection support system and inspection support method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress the reflection of light reflected by an object to be inspected or the reflection of an irradiation mechanism appearing on the object to be inspected when the object to be inspected is imaged by a simpler method than when a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles are provided to perform imaging. An inspection assistance system (1) is provided with: an imaging unit (11) for imaging an injection molded article (100), which is an object to be inspected; an irradiation unit (12) that is disposed between the imaging unit (11) and the injection-molded article (100) and that irradiates light toward the injection-molded article (100); a light-shielding member (13) that is disposed between the irradiation unit (12) and the injection-molded article (100), and that has a light-shielding region that blocks light from the irradiation unit (12), and a cutout section (132) that is a light-passing region through which light from the irradiation unit (12) passes; and a control device (40) that controls the light irradiated to the injection molded article (100) by changing the position of the cutout portion (132) in the light shielding member (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-009160 filed on January 25, 2024. The entire content of the Japanese application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an inspection support system and an inspection support method. Background Art

[0003] There is known a technique of photographing a transparent or translucent injection molded product as an inspection object and emphasizing a defect of the injection molded product in the captured image (for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, when photographing, light output from an irradiation mechanism is irradiated onto the inspection object to emphasize the defect of the inspection object.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-136269

[0005] When photographing an inspection object, light output from a lighting fixture may be reflected by the inspection object and enter the captured image, thereby hindering the inspection. Also, depending on the material of the inspection object or the processing method of the surface, sometimes the lighting fixture that appears on the inspection object during photographing may enter the captured image, thereby hindering the inspection (for example, refer to Figure 5 ). In contrast, for example, by switching the output from a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles, it is possible to suppress the entry of light reflected by the inspection object or the entry of the lighting fixture that appears on the inspection object. However, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for controlling the cost of setting up a plurality of light sources or the respective outputs of a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress the entry of light reflected by an inspection object or the entry of an irradiation mechanism that appears on the inspection object when photographing the inspection object by a method simpler than the case of photographing by setting a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles.

[0007] The present invention, which has been completed to achieve the above object, is an inspection support system characterized by including: an imaging mechanism that photographs an inspection object; an irradiation mechanism that is disposed between the imaging mechanism and the inspection object and irradiates light toward the inspection object; a light shielding mechanism that is disposed between the irradiation mechanism and the inspection object and has a light shielding region that blocks the light and a light passing region that allows the light to pass through; and an irradiation light control mechanism that controls the light irradiated onto the inspection object by changing the position of the light passing region in the light shielding mechanism.

[0008] Among them, the following can be set as features: One or more cut portions or through portions serving as the light passing regions are formed in the light shielding mechanism.

[0009] Moreover, the following can be set as features: The shape of the irradiation mechanism as observed from the inspection object is an annular shape, and the light shielding mechanism is a mechanism in which the light passing region is formed on a member having the same or substantially the same annular shape as the shape of the irradiation mechanism.

[0010] Moreover, the following can be set as features: The light shielding mechanism changes the position of the light passing region by rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0011] Moreover, the following can be set as features: At least one of the irradiation mechanism and the light shielding mechanism is movable in the axial direction.

[0012] Moreover, the following can be set as features: The light shielding mechanism has a plurality of the light passing regions that can be switched between an exposure state and a non-exposure state.

[0013] Moreover, the following can be set as features: The inspection object is a transparent or translucent injection molded product.

[0014] Moreover, the present invention is also an inspection assistance method, characterized by including: a step of photographing an inspection object by a photographing mechanism; a step of irradiating light from an irradiation mechanism disposed between the photographing mechanism and the inspection object toward the inspection object; a step of blocking the light by a light shielding region of a light shielding mechanism disposed between the irradiation mechanism and the inspection object, and allowing the light to pass through a light passing region of the light shielding mechanism; and a step of controlling the light irradiated onto the inspection object by an irradiation light control mechanism by changing the position of the light passing region in the light shielding mechanism.

[0015] Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve suppression of the reflection of the light reflected by the inspection object during photographing of the inspection object or the reflection of the irradiation mechanism appearing on the inspection object by a method simpler than the case of performing photographing with a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 FIG. is an example showing the overall structure of the inspection assistance system according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 (A) to (C) of FIG. are diagrams showing specific examples of the shapes of the irradiation unit and the light shielding member.

[0019] Figure 3This is a diagram showing a specific example of a photographing method for internal inspection of an object to be inspected.

[0020] Figure 4 (A) and (B) thereof are diagrams showing modified examples of the light-shielding member.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example in which a lighting fixture appears on an object to be inspected and is reflected in a captured image during photographing.

[0022] In the figure:

[0023] 1 - inspection assistance system, 10 - imaging device, 11 - imaging unit, 12 - irradiation unit, 13, 43 - light-shielding members, 14, 15, 16 - support members, 17 - base member, 20 - conveying device, 30 - picking device, 40 - control device, 121 - through-hole, 131 - space, 132 - cutout portion. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0025] <Structure of inspection assistance system 1>

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of the inspection assistance system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0027] Figure 1 The shown inspection assistance system 1 is a system for quality inspection of a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100. The injection molded product 100 is manufactured by an injection molding machine (not shown), and its shape is not particularly limited. In addition, the object to be inspected in the quality inspection in the present embodiment is a transparent or translucent flat injection molded product. The injection molding machine is a device that can manufacture the injection molded product 100 by flowing a heated and melted transparent or translucent resin into a mold, cooling and solidifying it, and then taking it out.

[0028] The inspection assistance system 1 includes: an imaging device 10 that photographs the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected; a conveying device 20 that conveys the injection molded product 100; a picking device 30 that clamps the injection molded product 100 and moves it; and a control device 40 that determines the presence or absence of defects in the injection molded product 100. The imaging device 10 and the control device 40 are connected via a network 90. The network 90 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a wired connection, etc. In addition, at least one of the conveying device 20 and the picking device 30 may be connected to the network 90.

[0029] In Figure 1In this, the state where the imaging device 10 images the injection molded product 100, which is an object to be inspected conveyed by the conveying device 20, is shown. The direction in which the imaging device 10 images the injection molded product 100 is from the upper side (heaven side) to the lower side (earth side) in the up-down direction in the attached drawing indicating the heaven-earth direction. And, the direction in which the conveying device 20 conveys the injection molded product 100 is from the left side to the right side in the left-right direction in the attached drawing. And, in the direction horizontally orthogonal to the left-right direction in the attached drawing, Figure 1 the "front-back direction" shown in Figure 1 is such that the front side in the attached drawing is the "front side" of the imaging device 10, and the rear side in the attached drawing is the "rear side" of the imaging device 10. Figure 1

[0030] (Imaging device 10)

[0031] The imaging device 10 includes: an imaging unit 11, as an imaging mechanism, which images the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected; an irradiation unit 12, as an irradiation mechanism, which irradiates light toward the injection molded product 100 that is the imaging object; and a light shielding member 13, as a light shielding mechanism, which blocks a part of the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12. And, the imaging device 10 includes: the imaging unit 11; the irradiation unit 12; a support member 14 that supports the light shielding member 13; a support member 15 that supports the injection molded product 100 from the earth side in the heaven-earth direction with respect to the injection molded product 100; four support members 16 that support the support member 15 from the earth side in the heaven-earth direction with respect to the support member 15; and a base member 17 disposed between the injection molded product 100 and the support member 15.

[0032] The imaging unit 11 is constituted by a camera or the like that can capture a still image or a moving image, and images the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected. Specifically, the imaging unit 11 images the injection molded product 100 that has been irradiated with the light output from the irradiation unit 12 from the heaven side to the earth side in the heaven-earth direction. The imaging unit 11 transmits the captured imaging image of the injection molded product 100 to the control device 40. In addition, the camera constituting the imaging unit 11 is not particularly limited. For example, it is constituted by a monochrome camera, a color camera, a polarization camera, etc. A polarization camera is a camera in which polarizers with different directions are assembled on a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0033] ​The irradiation unit 12 is an annular lighting fixture having a circular or substantially circular through-hole 121 penetrating in the vertical direction at the central portion. The irradiation unit 12 is not divided into a plurality of light sources with different irradiation angles. The irradiation unit 12 is disposed on the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected and on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the imaging unit 11. The irradiation unit 12 can move in the vertical direction along the support member 14. In addition, the method of moving the irradiation unit 12 along the support member 14 is not particularly limited. For example, a drive unit such as a motor may be provided on the support member 14 to control the movement of the irradiation unit 12 in the vertical direction, or the irradiation unit 12 may be moved by manual operation.

[0034] An imaging space is formed in the through-hole 121 formed in the irradiation unit 12 so that the irradiation unit 12 is not reflected as much as possible when photographing the injection molded product 100. The light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 includes light irradiated from the upper side to the lower side of the injection molded product 100 in the vertical direction, and the photographing of the imaging unit 11 is assisted by the irradiated light. In addition, the size of the diameter of the irradiation unit 12 and the size of the diameter of the through-hole 121 are not particularly limited and can be changed according to the size or shape of the object to be inspected. In addition, for a specific example of the irradiation unit 12, refer to Figure 3 described later.

[0035] The light shielding member 13 is a member disposed on the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the injection molded product 100 and on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the irradiation unit 12, and blocks a part of the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12. The light shielding member 13 is composed of a substantially annular light shielding member having a cutout portion 132. A region (hereinafter referred to as "light passing region") through which the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 passes is formed in the cutout portion 132.

[0036] A substantially circular space 131 is formed in the central portion of the light shielding member 13. Similar to the through-hole 121 formed in the irradiation unit 12 described above, an imaging space is formed in the space 131 so that the light shielding member 13 is not reflected as much as possible when photographing the injection molded product 100. As long as the light shielding member 13 can block the light from the irradiation unit 12, the material is not particularly limited. For example, the light shielding member 13 may be made of metal, resin, cardboard, or the like. The shape of the light shielding member 13 can be changed according to the size of the diameter of the irradiation unit 12, the size of the diameter of the through-hole 121 of the irradiation unit 12, the size or shape of the object to be inspected, and the like.

[0037] The light-shielding member 13 allows a part of the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 toward the injection molded product 100 to pass through the cutout portion 132 serving as a light-passing area, and blocks the remaining light. If the position of the cutout portion 132 is changed, the irradiation pattern of the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 will be changed. In addition, for specific examples of the shape of the light-shielding member 13, the shape or position of the cutout portion 132 formed in the light-shielding member 13, refer to Figure 3 which will be described later.

[0038] The light-shielding member 13 can move in the vertical direction along the support member 14. Among them, the light-shielding member 13 can move in the vertical direction in a manner linked to the vertical movement of the irradiation unit 12, or can move independently in the vertical direction relative to the irradiation unit 12. In addition, the method of moving the light-shielding member 13 in the vertical direction is not particularly limited. For example, a drive unit such as a motor can be provided on the support member 14 to control the movement of the light-shielding member 13 in the vertical direction, or the light-shielding member 13 can be moved by manual operation.

[0039] Moreover, the light-shielding member 13 can rotate in the circumferential direction. If the light-shielding member 13 rotates in the circumferential direction, the position of the cutout portion 132 serving as a light-passing area will be changed, and as a result, the irradiation pattern of the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 will be changed. In addition, the method of rotating the light-shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction is not particularly limited. For example, a drive unit such as a motor can be provided on the support member 14 to control the rotation of the light-shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction, or the light-shielding member 13 can be rotated in the circumferential direction by manual operation.

[0040] The support member 14 is a member that supports the imaging unit 11, the irradiation unit 12, and the light-shielding member 13, and is composed of a rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction or the like. The ground-side portion of the support member 14 in the vertical direction is fixed to the support member 15 or the installation surface 200. The method of fixing the support member 14 to the support member 15 or the installation surface 200 is not particularly limited. For example, it is fixed using bolts or the like. The support member 14 supports the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 13 so that they can move in the vertical direction. Moreover, the support member 14 supports the light-shielding member 13 so that it can rotate in the circumferential direction of the light-shielding member 13.

[0041] The support member 15 is a rectangular plate for placing the injection molded product 100 when the injection molded product 100 is imaged by the imaging unit 11, and is a support member that supports the injection molded product 100 in the light-shielded area from the ground side. The support member 15 is composed of an opaque member such as a metal plate or a wooden plate, for example. The support member 15 is fixed to the ground or the like installation surface 200 in a state of being supported from the ground side in the vertical direction by four support members 16 composed of members having a substantially cylindrical shape or the like.

[0042] In addition, the shape of the support member 16 is not particularly limited. Also, the method of fixing the support member 16 to the installation surface 200 is not particularly limited. For example, it can be fixed by bolts or the like. Moreover, as long as the support member 16 can ensure stability during shooting, it is not necessarily required to be fixed to the installation surface 200. Therefore, the combination of the support member 15 and the four support members 16 can be, for example, the combination of the top plate and the four legs that form a stable inspection table.

[0043] The base member 17 is a sheet-like member disposed between the injection molded product 100 and the support member 15. The base member 17 is composed of a member having a light shielding function such as vinyl chloride or flocked paper, and blocks the light from the ground side to the sky side with respect to the injection molded product 100 in the vertical direction to assist the imaging unit 11 in shooting. In addition, as long as the above-mentioned support member 15 is composed of a member having the same light shielding function as the base member 17, it is not necessarily required to dispose the base member 17.

[0044] (Conveyor device 20)

[0045] The conveyor device 20 is a conveying mechanism that conveys the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected toward the imaging device 10. For example, as Figure 1 shown, the conveyor device 20 is composed of a conveyor belt or the like that can carry the injection molded product 100 and convey it from the Figure 1 left side to the right side in the left-right direction. An injection molding machine (not shown) is provided on the upstream side of the conveyor device 20 ( Figure 1 the left side in the left-right direction). And, an imaging device 10 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyor device 20 ( Figure 1 the right side in the left-right direction). Therefore, the injection molded product 100 formed by the injection molding machine is conveyed toward the imaging device 10 in a state of being carried on the conveyor device 20.

[0046] (Pickup device 30)

[0047] The pickup device 30 is a pickup mechanism that clamps the injection molded product 100 and moves it to a preset position. For example, as Figure 1 shown, the pickup device 30 is composed of a so-called pickup robot or the like. An end effector 32 capable of clamping the injection molded product 100 is mounted on the pickup device 30. The pickup device 30 performs clamping and releasing of the injection molded product 100 based on the end effector 32.

[0048] Accordingly, the picking device 30 moves the injection molded product 100 to a preset position. Specifically, the picking device 30 clamps the injection molded product 100 placed on the conveying device 20 and releases it onto the base member 17. Then, if the injection molded product 100 is photographed by the imaging unit 11, the picking device 30 clamps the photographed injection molded product 100 again and moves it to a preset position, and releases the injection molded product 100.

[0049] (Control device 40)

[0050] The control device 40 is an information processing device that serves as a control mechanism for controlling the operation of the imaging device 10. Specifically, the control device 40 controls the respective operations of the imaging unit 11, the irradiation unit 12, and the light shielding member 13 of the imaging device 10. The determination device 40 is composed of a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, etc., and can be operated by the user.

[0051] For example, the control device 40 controls the amount, angle, position, etc. of the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 by controlling the position of the notch portion 132, which is the light passing area in the light shielding member 13. Specifically, the control device 40 controls the operation of rotating the light shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction as the control for changing the position of the notch portion 132.

[0052] Moreover, for example, the control device 40 controls the operation of the imaging unit 11 to photograph the injection molded product 100 as the inspection object, the operation of the irradiation unit 12 to irradiate light toward the injection molded product 100, and the operation of the irradiation unit 12 to move in the vertical direction. And the control device 40 controls the operation of the light shielding member 13 to move in the vertical direction. In addition to controlling the operation of the imaging device 10, the control device 40 also controls the following processing: determining the presence or absence of defects in the injection molded product 100 by analyzing the captured image of the injection molded product 100 captured by the imaging unit 11 of the imaging device 10. Moreover, when at least one of the conveying device 20 and the picking device 30 is connected to the network 90, the control device 40 can control the operation of the conveying device 20 or the operation of the picking device 30 through the network 90.

[0053] (Specific examples of the shapes of the irradiation unit 12 and the light shielding member 13)

[0054] Figure 2 (A) to (C) are diagrams showing specific examples of the shapes of the irradiation unit 12 and the light shielding member 13. In Figure 2 (A), a specific example of the shape of the irradiation unit 12 is shown. In Figure 2 (B), a specific example of the shape of the light shielding member 13 is shown. In Figure 2In (C), an example of the states of the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 13 when observing the top side in the vertical and horizontal directions of the injection molded product 100 placed on the base member 17, which is the object to be inspected, is shown.

[0055] As Figure 2 shown in (A), the shape of the irradiation unit 12 when observed in the vertical and horizontal directions is an annular shape having a through-hole portion 121 in the central portion. And, as Figure 2 shown in (B), the shape of the light-shielding member 13 when observed in the vertical and horizontal directions is a substantially annular shape having a notch portion 132, and a substantially circular space 131 is formed in the central portion. A light-passing region through which the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 passes is formed in the notch portion 132.

[0056] In Figure 2 the examples shown in (A) and (B), the diameter d11 of the irradiation unit 12 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter d21 of the light-shielding member 13. And, the diameter d12 of the through-hole portion 121 of the irradiation unit 12 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter d22 of the space 131 of the light-shielding member 13. However, it is not limited thereto. Since the light-shielding member 13 only needs to block the light other than the light passing through the notch portion 132 among the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 without leakage, for example, the diameter d21 of the light-shielding member 13 may be larger than the diameter d11 of the irradiation unit 12. And, for the same reason, the diameter d12 of the through-hole portion 121 of the irradiation unit 12 may be larger than the diameter d22 of the space 131 of the light-shielding member 13. In addition, in the case of a structure in which the object to be inspected is disposed in the through-hole portion 121 of the irradiation unit 12 and the space 131 of the light-shielding member 13, the diameter d22 of the space 131 is configured to be a size considering the accommodation of the object to be inspected.

[0057] Figure 2 The light-shielding member 13 shown in (B) can be rotated in the circumferential direction, and the position of the notch portion 132 is changed by rotating in the circumferential direction. For example, with Figure 2 the irradiation unit 12 shown in (A) and Figure 2 the light-shielding member 13 shown in (B) being arranged in an overlapping manner, by rotating the light-shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction, the notch portion 132 can be arranged at a position as shown in Figure 2 (C). At this time, a light-shielding region that blocks the light from the irradiation unit 12 is formed in the region of the light-shielding member 13 where hatching is applied in the drawing, and a light-passing region through which the light from the irradiation unit 12 passes is formed in the region of the notch portion 132 where the irradiation unit 12 is exposed.

[0058] (Specific example of the photographing method during internal inspection)

[0059] Figure 3This is a diagram showing a specific example of an imaging method when performing an internal inspection of an inspection object.

[0060] In the above Figure 1 , an example of a photographing method is shown as follows: when performing surface inspection on a flat injection molded product 100 as a transparent or translucent inspection object, light is irradiated from the sky side in the celestial direction to emphasize defects of the injection molded product 100. In contrast, when the inspection object is long in the celestial direction and is configured so that the injection molded product 110 is accommodated in the penetration portion 121 of the irradiation portion 12 and the space 131 of the light shielding member 13, as an internal inspection of the transparent or translucent inspection object, for example, the following method is used. Figure 3 The shooting method shown.

[0061] That is, Figure 3 As shown, the irradiation unit 12 irradiates light from the periphery of the injection molded product 110 in a state where the injection molded product 110 as the inspection object is arranged in the penetration portion 121. Specifically, first, the irradiation unit 12 irradiates light from the vicinity of the end portion of the injection molded product 110 on the ground side in the vertical direction as the irradiation position as so-called low-angle light irradiation. In this way, defects generated inside the transparent or translucent injection molded product 110 can be emphasized and displayed.

[0062] Next, the irradiation unit 12 moves toward the sky side in the sky-sky direction to move the irradiation position of the light relative to the injection molded product 110. The imaging unit 11 captures the injection molded product 110 while the irradiation unit 12 moves in the sky-sky direction or while the irradiation unit 12 is stopped.

[0063] As described above, the shading component 13 can move in the sky-to-earth direction in conjunction with the movement of the irradiation unit 12 in the sky-to-earth direction. However, the shading component 13 is a component that performs a shading function by being arranged between the irradiation unit 12 and the inspection object when the inspection object is subjected to surface inspection, and basically does not perform a shading function in terms of the positional relationship with the irradiation unit 12 when the inspection object is subjected to internal inspection. For this reason, for example, it is also possible to configure the shading component 13 to be arranged on the ground side of the irradiation unit 12 in the sky-to-earth direction only when the inspection object is subjected to surface inspection. For example, a driving unit that causes the shading component 13 to rotate and move as a whole in a direction orthogonal to the sky-to-earth direction may also be provided on the support unit 14 that supports the shading component 13.

[0064] <Modification>

[0065] Figure 4 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing modified examples of the light shielding component. Figure 4 In (A), a specific example of the shape of the light shielding member 43, which is a modified example, is shown. Figure 4(B) shows the states of the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 43 when observing the sky side in the sky-earth direction from the inspection object side placed on the base member 17 (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0066] Figure 4 The light-shielding member 43 shown in (A) is the same as the above-mentioned Figure 2 The light-shielding member 13 shown in (B) of is substantially circular with a cutout portion 432, and a substantially circular space 431 is formed in the central portion. As Figure 4 (B) shows, a light-passing area through which the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 passes is formed in the cutout portion 432.

[0067] Figure 4 The difference between the light-shielding member 43 shown in and the above-mentioned Figure 2 The light-shielding member 13 shown in (B) of is the size of the diameter of the substantially circular space formed in the central portion. That is, the diameter d31 of the light-shielding member 43 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter d21 of the light-shielding member 13 (refer to Figure 2 (B)), however, the diameter d32 of the space 431 of the light-shielding member 43 is larger than the diameter d22 of the space 131 of the light-shielding member 13 shown in (B) of the above-mentioned Figure 2 . Thus, as Figure 4 (B) shows, a light-shielding area that blocks the light from the irradiation unit 12 is formed in the area of the light-shielding member 43 shaded in the drawing. And, a light-passing area through which the light from the irradiation unit 12 passes is formed in the area of the cutout portion 432 and the area of the space 431 exposed by the irradiation unit 12.

[0068] Figure 4 (B) The light-passing area shown is larger than the light-passing area shown in (C) of the above-mentioned Figure 2 , therefore, the amount of light irradiated onto the inspection object increases accordingly. As a result, it is easier to emphasize and display the defects of the inspection object. However, the narrower the light-shielding area, the higher the risk of the light reflected by the inspected object being incident or the irradiation unit 12 being incident on the inspection object. Therefore, at the inspection site, light-shielding members are prepared in various ways that can be selected according to the type of the inspection object, which can more easily emphasize and display the defects and can suppress the incidence. Thus, it is possible to achieve suppression of the incidence of the light reflected by the inspected object or the incidence of the irradiation unit 12 itself on the inspection object when photographing the inspection object by a method simpler than the case of photographing with multiple light sources set at different irradiation angles.

[0069] In summary, the inspection assistance system 1 according to the present embodiment of the present invention only needs to adopt the following structure, and various embodiments can be adopted.

[0070] That is, the inspection assistance system 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized by including: an imaging unit 11, as an imaging mechanism, that images an injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected; an irradiation unit 12, as an irradiation mechanism, that is disposed between the imaging unit 11 and the injection molded product 100 and irradiates light toward the injection molded product 100; a light shielding region, that is disposed between the irradiation unit 12 and the injection molded product 100 and blocks the light from the irradiation unit 12; a light shielding member 13, as a light shielding mechanism, that has a cutout portion 132 as a light passing region through which the light from the irradiation unit 12 passes; and a control device 40, as an irradiation light control mechanism, that controls the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 by changing the position of the cutout portion 132 in the light shielding member 13.

[0071] Accordingly, the imaging unit 11, the irradiation unit 12, the light shielding member 13, and the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected are sequentially disposed from the sky side to the ground side in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, by changing the position of the cutout portion 132 as the light passing region of the light shielding member 13, the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 is controlled. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reflection of the light reflected by the object to be inspected or the reflection of the irradiation unit 12 itself appearing on the injection molded product 100 during imaging of the injection molded product 100 by a method simpler than the case of imaging with a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles.

[0072] Among them, it may be characterized in that one or more cutout portions 132 or through holes are formed in the light shielding member 13 as the light passing region.

[0073] Accordingly, one or more cutout portions 132 or through holes are formed in the light shielding member 13 as the light passing region. As a result, by changing the position of the one or more cutout portions 132 or through holes formed in the light shielding member 13, the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected is controlled.

[0074] Moreover, it may be characterized in that the shape of the irradiation unit 12 as observed from the injection molded product 100 is annular, and the light shielding member 13 is a member in which the cutout portion 132 is formed on a member having an annular shape that is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the irradiation unit 12.

[0075] Accordingly, by changing the position of the cutout portion 132 of the light shielding member 13 formed on a member having an annular shape that is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the irradiation unit 12 whose shape as observed from the injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected is annular, the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 is controlled.

[0076] Further, it is possible to define the following as a feature: the light-shielding member 13 changes the position of the cutout portion 132 by rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0077] Thus, by simply rotating the light-shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction, the position of the cutout portion 132 can be changed. As a result, the light irradiated onto the inspection object can be controlled in various ways.

[0078] Further, it is possible to define the following as a feature: at least one of the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 13 is movable in the axial direction.

[0079] Thus, at least one of the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 13 moves in the axial direction. As a result, the light irradiated onto the inspection object (e.g., Figure 3 the injection molded product 110) can be controlled in various ways.

[0080] Further, it is possible to define the following as a feature: the inspection object is a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100.

[0081] Thus, it is possible to suppress the reflection of the light reflected by the injection molded product 100 or the reflection of the irradiation unit 12 itself on the injection molded product 100 when photographing the transparent or translucent injection molded product 100 as the inspection object by a method simpler than the case of photographing with a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles.

[0082] Further, the inspection assistance method according to the present embodiment is characterized by including: a step of photographing an injection molded product 100 as an inspection object by a photographing unit 11; a step of irradiating light from an irradiation unit 12 disposed between the photographing unit 11 and the injection molded product 100 toward the injection molded product 100; a step of blocking the light from the irradiation unit 12 by a light-shielding region of a light-shielding member 13 disposed between the irradiation unit 12 and the injection molded product 100, and allowing the light from the irradiation unit 12 to pass through a cutout portion 132 serving as a light-passing region of the light-shielding member 13; and a step of controlling the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 by a control device 40 serving as an irradiation light control mechanism by changing the position of the light-passing region in the light-shielding member 13.

[0083] Accordingly, a camera unit 11, an irradiation unit 12, a light-shielding member 13, and an injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected are arranged in this order from the sky side to the ground side in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, by changing the position of the cutout portion 132 that is the light passing area of the light-shielding member 13, the light irradiated onto the injection molded product 100 is controlled. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reflection of the light reflected by the injection molded product 100 and the reflection of the irradiation unit 12 itself on the injection molded product 100 during the photographing of the injection molded product 100 by a method simpler than the case of performing photographing with a plurality of light sources having different irradiation angles.

[0084] <Others>

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, Figure 1 the control device 40 functions as a control mechanism for controlling the operation of the imaging device 10, and controls the respective operations of the imaging unit 11, the irradiation unit 12, and the light-shielding member 13 of the imaging device 10. However, it is not limited thereto. The control of the respective operations of the imaging unit 11, the irradiation unit 12, and the light-shielding member 13 of the imaging device 10 does not necessarily have to be controlled by an information processing device such as the control device 40. For example, at least a part of the control of the operation of the imaging device 10 can be performed by manual operation of an operator. Specifically, the operation of rotating the light-shielding member 13 in the circumferential direction can be performed by manual operation of an operator.

[0086] Moreover, the objects to be inspected of the inspection support system 1 according to the above-described embodiment are the transparent or translucent injection molded products 100 and 110, but the objects to be inspected are not limited to transparent or translucent injection molded products. It can be an opaque injection molded product, a transparent or translucent object other than an injection molded product, or an opaque object other than an injection molded product.

[0087] Moreover, the shapes of the irradiation unit 12 and the light-shielding member 13 according to the above-described embodiment are examples, and other shapes can also be used. As described above, the light-shielding member 13 can be prepared in advance according to the type of the object to be inspected in various ways that can more easily emphasize and display defects and can suppress reflection. For example, in the light-shielding member 13 according to the above-described embodiment, a cutout portion 132 that is a light passing area is formed, but it does not necessarily have to be a cutout portion. For example, a region formed by a through hole that penetrates a part of the light-shielding member 13 in the vertical and horizontal directions can be used as the light passing area.

[0088] Moreover, in the light-shielding member 13 according to the above-described embodiment, one cutout portion 132 that is a light passing area is formed, but the light passing area is not limited to one. In the light-shielding member 13, one or more light passing areas can be formed. For example, in the above Figure 2In the light-shielding member 13 of (B), two or more cutout portions 132 are formed.

[0089] Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the substantially annular light-shielding member 13 having the cutout portion 132 changes the position of the cutout portion 132 by rotating in the circumferential direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, an openable and closable shutter mechanism may be provided on the light-shielding member 13 to hide each of one or more light-passing regions. That is, it may be characterized in that the light-shielding member 13 has a plurality of light-passing regions capable of switching between an exposed state and an unexposed state.

[0090] Accordingly, since the light-shielding member 13 has a plurality of light-passing regions capable of switching between an exposed state and an unexposed state, the light irradiated onto the object to be inspected can be controlled in various ways.

[0091] <Specific Example of a Captured Image of the Lighting Fixture Itself>

[0092] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example in which the lighting fixture appears on the object to be inspected and is captured in the captured image during shooting.

[0093] In Figure 5 , as an example of a case where the present invention is not applicable, a captured image example when shooting an object to be inspected without disposing the light-shielding member 13 according to the above-described embodiment is shown. In Figure 5 The example shown shows eight captured images taken by irradiating light from the lighting fixture onto an injection molded product 100 as an object to be inspected from different irradiation angles.

[0094] In Figure 5 In the eight captured images shown, in the region surrounded by the dashed line, the lighting fixture appearing on the object to be inspected is captured and hinders the inspection. In contrast, according to the inspection assistance system 1 according to the above-described embodiment (refer to Figure 1 ), the light-shielding member 13 is rotated to change the position of the cutout portion 132 (refer to Figure 2 of (C)), whereby the position of the light-passing region can be changed, and thus the occurrence of capturing as shown in Figure 5 can be suppressed.

Claims

1. An inspection assistance system, characterized in that, Comprising: An imaging mechanism that captures an object to be inspected; An irradiation mechanism that is disposed between the imaging mechanism and the object to be inspected and irradiates light toward the object to be inspected; A light shielding mechanism that is disposed between the irradiation mechanism and the object to be inspected and has a light shielding region that blocks the light and a light passing region that allows the light to pass through; And An irradiation light control mechanism that controls the light irradiated onto the object to be inspected by changing the position of the light passing region in the light shielding mechanism.

2. The inspection assistance system according to claim 1, wherein One or more cut portions or through portions are formed in the light shielding mechanism as the light passing region.

3. The inspection assistance system according to claim 1, wherein The shape of the irradiation mechanism as observed from the object to be inspected is an annular shape, The light shielding mechanism is a mechanism in which the light passing region is formed on a member having an annular shape that is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the irradiation mechanism.

4. The inspection assistance system according to claim 3, wherein The light shielding mechanism changes the position of the light passing region by rotating in the circumferential direction.

5. The inspection assistance system according to claim 4, wherein At least one of the irradiation mechanism and the light shielding mechanism is movable in the axial direction.

6. The inspection assistance system according to claim 1, wherein The light shielding mechanism has a plurality of light passing regions that can be switched between an exposed state and a non-exposed state.

7. The inspection assistance system according to claim 1, wherein The object to be inspected is a transparent or translucent injection molded product.

8. An inspection assistance method, characterized in that, Including: A step of an imaging mechanism capturing an object to be inspected; A step of an irradiation mechanism disposed between the imaging mechanism and the object to be inspected irradiating light toward the object to be inspected; A step of a light shielding region of a light shielding mechanism disposed between the irradiation mechanism and the object to be inspected blocking the light and allowing the light to pass through the light passing region of the light shielding mechanism; And A step of an irradiation light control mechanism controlling the light irradiated onto the object to be inspected by changing the position of the light passing region in the light shielding mechanism.

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