A medicine bottle packaging quality detection and automatic rejection system, method and device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical packaging inspection technology, and more particularly to a system, method, and apparatus for inspecting the quality of medicine bottle packaging and automatically rejecting defective products. The system includes a conveyor, a column, an electric linear module, and a detection component. A discharge port is provided on one side of the conveyor frame, the column is fixed to the other side of the conveyor frame, the electric linear module is fixed to the side wall of the column, and the detection component is mounted on the moving end of the electric linear module. This invention integrates an electromagnetic induction sensor for detecting aluminum foil and a photoelectric sensor for detecting the tightness of the bottle cap onto the same mounting plate by setting a detection component driven by an electric linear module above the conveyor. When the medicine bottle is conveyed to the inspection station, the two sensors simultaneously detect the bottle cap, enabling simultaneous detection of the presence or absence of aluminum foil and the tightness of the bottle cap. This reduces the workload of manual inspection, improves production efficiency, effectively avoids the risk of missed detections, and ensures the quality of medicine packaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical packaging inspection technology, specifically to a system, method, and apparatus for inspecting the quality of pharmaceutical bottle packaging and for automatic rejection of defective products. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of drug processing and production, after the drug is filled into the bottle, the cap is usually tightened to the bottle opening by automated equipment (such as robots or automatic capping machines) to achieve the sealing of the drug. To ensure the reliability of the seal after the cap is tightened, aluminum foil is usually placed inside the cap in advance. When the cap is tightened, a reliable sealing layer is formed.

[0003] However, in actual automated production processes, due to factors such as equipment precision errors and manufacturing tolerances of bottle caps or bottles, deviations can easily occur when tightening bottle caps. Specifically, the bottle cap may tilt relative to the bottle opening, meaning one end of the cap is higher than the other, preventing it from fitting perfectly parallel to the bottle opening. This can affect the sealing effect of the bottle opening, causing the medicine to become damp or ineffective. In addition, during the feeding and installation of bottle caps, aluminum foil may occasionally be omitted, meaning that no aluminum foil is placed inside the bottle cap, resulting in poor sealing after tightening.

[0004] The two defects mentioned above are mainly detected by manual visual inspection on existing production lines. This method is not only inefficient and labor-intensive, but also cannot achieve full inspection of all products, posing a risk of missed inspections and endangering the quality and safety of medicines. Therefore, a system, method and device for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging is needed to improve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a system, method, and apparatus for detecting and automatically rejecting waste in medicine bottle packaging, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A device for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging includes: A conveyor for transporting medicine bottles, wherein a discharge port is provided on one side of the conveyor frame.

[0007] The column is fixed to the other side of the conveyor frame.

[0008] An electric linear module is fixed to the side wall of the column, and the electric linear module has a moving end that reciprocates in the vertical direction.

[0009] A detection component is disposed on the moving end of the electric linear module. The detection component includes a first detection unit for detecting the aluminum foil inside the bottle cap and a second detection unit for detecting the tightening height of the bottle cap.

[0010] The material rejection unit is located on the outer wall of the column, and its output end passes through the frame of the conveyor and is positioned opposite to the discharge port.

[0011] The feeding unit is located on one side of the conveyor frame and at the discharge port, and is used to guide the rejected medicine bottles to the collection container.

[0012] A limiting plate, located at the top of the conveyor, is used to guide and limit the movement of the medicine bottles during transport.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first detection unit includes a mounting plate fixed to the moving end of the electric linear module. The mounting plate has an inverted "L" shape. A mounting hole is provided through the top horizontal section of the mounting plate. An electromagnetic induction sensor is fixed on the upper surface of the top horizontal section of the mounting plate. The detection end of the electromagnetic induction sensor passes through the mounting hole and is set downward.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second detection unit includes a fixing plate fixed to the side wall of the mounting plate, and a mounting frame fixed to the bottom of the side wall of the fixing plate. The mounting frame has an inverted "U" shape, and mounting cavities are respectively opened at opposite ends of the mounting frame. A through hole communicating with the outside is opened on the inner wall of each mounting cavity. The two through holes are arranged concentrically. A photoelectric sensor transmitter and a photoelectric sensor receiver are respectively fixed in the two mounting cavities. A cover plate for covering the mounting cavity is detachably installed on the side wall of the mounting frame.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material rejection unit includes a control valve fixed to the side wall of the column. One end of the control valve is used to connect to an air source, and the other end of the control valve is connected to an air supply pipe. The air outlet of the air supply pipe passes through the frame of the conveyor and is positioned opposite to the discharge port.

[0016] The gas supply pipe includes a first pipe and a second pipe. One end of the first pipe is connected to the control valve, and the other end of the first pipe is sleeved inside one end of the second pipe and is clearance-fitted with the second pipe. The end of the second pipe away from the first pipe is fixed to the limiting plate.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material guiding unit includes two partitions fixed on both sides of the discharge port. One end of the two partitions is fixedly connected to a baffle. A vertical plate is fixed to the bottom of the baffle. A servo motor is fixed to the vertical plate. The output end of the servo motor passes through the vertical plate and is fixedly connected to a guide plate. The guide plate is located between the two partitions.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting plate is provided with a U-shaped groove. When the second pipe is fitted inside the U-shaped groove, a positioning block is fixedly connected inside the U-shaped groove by bolts, and the bottom of the positioning block abuts against the outer wall of the second pipe.

[0019] An adjustment unit is provided on the frame of the conveyor. The adjustment unit includes a fixed seat fixed to the outer wall of the conveyor frame. The fixed seat has a through hole and a screw hole. A connecting rod is inserted through the through hole. One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the limiting plate. A hand-tightening bolt is threaded into the screw hole. The end of the hand-tightening bolt extends into the through hole and abuts against the outer wall of the connecting rod.

[0020] A system for inspecting the quality of medicine bottle packaging and automatically rejecting defective products, used to perform the operation of a medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device, comprising: The control system is electrically connected to the first detection unit, the second detection unit, the rejection unit, and the guiding unit, respectively, and is used to receive detection signals and control the actions of each actuator.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control system includes a signal acquisition module, a judgment module, and an execution control module. The signal acquisition module is used to receive detection signals from the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The judgment module is used to determine whether the current packaging quality of the medicine bottle is qualified based on the detection signals. The execution control module is used to control the actions of the rejection unit and the guiding unit based on the judgment result.

[0022] A method for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging, employing a system for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging, includes the following steps: Pre-processing step: The detection component is lowered to the detection height by driving the electric linear module.

[0023] Conveying steps: The conveyor transports the medicine bottles forward in sequence, and the limiting plate limits the medicine bottles to the middle of the width direction of the conveyor belt.

[0024] Inspection steps: When the medicine bottle arrives at the inspection station, the first inspection unit checks whether there is aluminum foil inside the bottle cap, and the second inspection unit checks whether the tightening height of the bottle cap is qualified.

[0025] Judgment steps: The control system determines whether the current medicine bottle is a qualified product based on the detection signals from the first detection unit and the second detection unit.

[0026] Rejection process: If a product is determined to be defective, when the bottle reaches the discharge port, the control system controls the rejection unit to push the defective bottle out of the discharge port.

[0027] Feeding process: The defective medicine bottles are pushed out into the feeding unit and fall into the corresponding collection container under the guidance of the guide plate.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the detection step, the first detection unit uses an electromagnetic induction sensor to detect the presence or absence of aluminum foil inside the bottle cap, and the second detection unit uses a through-beam photoelectric sensor to detect the height position of the top of the bottle cap. The bottle cap is determined to be tightened properly by judging whether the height of the bottle cap is within a preset range.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention integrates an electromagnetic induction sensor for detecting aluminum foil and a photoelectric sensor for detecting the tightness of bottle caps onto the same mounting plate by setting an electrically driven linear module-driven detection component above the conveyor. When the medicine bottle is conveyed to the detection station, the two sensors simultaneously detect the bottle cap, completing the detection of the presence or absence of aluminum foil and the tightness of the bottle cap in one go. Compared with the existing manual sampling inspection method, this invention achieves automated online full inspection, with fast detection speed and high accuracy, reducing the workload of manual inspection, improving production efficiency, effectively avoiding the risk of missed detection, and ensuring the quality of medicine packaging.

[0030] This invention, by setting up a rejection unit consisting of a control valve and an air supply pipe, and a guiding unit consisting of a partition, a baffle, a servo motor, and a guide plate, allows the control system to automatically control the rejection unit to push out the defective medicine bottle from the discharge port when a defective product is detected. The pushed-out medicine bottle is guided by the guide plate of the guiding unit and falls into the collection container, realizing the automatic rejection and collection of defective products without manual intervention, and further improving the automation level and production efficiency of the production line.

[0031] This invention features a rotatable guide plate driven by a servo motor. When one collection container is full, the guide plate can be rotated by the servo motor to switch the guiding direction, allowing defective medicine bottles to be guided to the collection container on the other side. This achieves uninterrupted rejection operations, avoids production line downtime caused by changing collection containers, and further improves production continuity. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 A magnified view of the structure at point A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the detection component of the present invention; Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point B in the middle; Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the material guiding unit of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adjustment unit of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting plate and the rejection unit of the present invention. Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of the second detection unit of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure from another perspective of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the installation component of the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Conveyor; 11. Discharge port; 2. Column; 3. Electric linear module; 4. First detection unit; 41. Mounting plate; 42. Assembly hole; 43. Electromagnetic induction sensor; 5. Second detection unit; 51. Fixing plate; 52. Mounting bracket; 521. Mounting cavity; 522. Through-hole; 523. Photoelectric sensor transmitter; 524. Photoelectric sensor receiver; 53. Cover plate; 6. Material guiding unit; 61. Partition plate; 62. Baffle plate; 63. Vertical plate; 64. Servo motor; 65. Guide plate; 7. Rejection unit; 71. Control valve; 72. Air supply pipe; 721. First pipe; 722. Second pipe; 8. Limiting plate; 81. U-shaped groove; 82. Positioning block; 9. Adjustment unit; 91. Fixing seat; 911. Through hole; 912. Screw hole; 92. Connecting rod; 93. Hand-tightening bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description of the invention will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and several embodiments of the invention will be provided. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the invention will be more thorough and complete.

[0036] Example 1, please refer to Figure 1-9 The present invention provides a technical solution: A medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device includes a conveyor 1, a column 2, an electric linear module 3, an inspection component, a rejection unit 7, a guiding unit 6, a limit plate 8, and an adjustment unit 9.

[0037] Conveyor 1 is a belt conveyor. The conveyor belt rotates cyclically under the drive of a drive motor, carrying medicine bottles and conveying them forward along the conveying direction (i.e., the length direction of the frame). The frame of conveyor 1 has two opposite sides along the conveying direction. One side of the frame has a discharge port 11, which is a rectangular opening that penetrates the wall thickness of the frame side plate. Its width is greater than the outer diameter of the medicine bottle, and it is used to discharge unqualified medicine bottles from the conveyor belt.

[0038] The column 2 is a vertically arranged rectangular column structure. Its bottom is fixed to the side wall of the conveyor 1 frame by bolts, and its top extends upward to a predetermined height. An electric linear module 3 is fixed on the side wall of the column 2 near the conveyor 1.

[0039] The electric linear module 3 is an electric lead screw linear module (model FSL40 or equivalent optional). A detection component is mounted on the moving end of the electric linear module 3. Driven by the electric linear module 3, the detection component can move vertically up and down to accommodate medicine bottles of different heights.

[0040] The detection component is located on the moving end of the electric linear module 3. The detection component includes a first detection unit 4 for detecting whether there is aluminum foil inside the bottle cap and a second detection unit 5 for detecting whether the bottle cap is tightened in place (i.e., detecting the tightening height of the bottle cap).

[0041] The first detection unit 4 includes a mounting plate 41 and an electromagnetic induction sensor 43. The mounting plate 41 is fixed to the moving end of the electric linear module 3. The mounting plate 41 is generally in the shape of an inverted "L", that is, it includes a horizontal section and a vertical section that bends downward from one end of the horizontal section. The vertical section is fixedly connected to the moving end of the electric linear module 3 by bolts. The horizontal section extends horizontally upwards towards the conveyor 1. An assembly hole 42 is provided through the top horizontal section of the mounting plate 41. The assembly hole 42 is a circular through hole with its axis set vertically. An electromagnetic induction sensor 43 (model PR18-8DN or equivalent) is fixed to the upper surface of the top horizontal section of the mounting plate 41 by thread. The detection end (i.e., the sensing surface) of the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 passes vertically downwards through the assembly hole 42 and extends to the bottom of the mounting plate 41, facing the position of the bottle cap on the conveyor belt. The electromagnetic induction sensor 43 uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to detect whether there is aluminum foil inside the bottle cap: The electromagnetic induction sensor 43 has a coil inside. When the coil is energized, it generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. When the aluminum foil (metal) approaches the detection end, eddy currents are generated on the surface of the aluminum foil. The reverse magnetic field generated by the eddy currents is detected by the sensor, causing a change in the sensor output signal. When aluminum foil is present, the sensor outputs a high-level signal; when aluminum foil is missing, the sensor outputs a low-level signal. The electromagnetic induction sensor 43 is electrically connected to the control system and transmits the detection signal to the control system.

[0042] The second detection unit 5 includes a fixing plate 51, a mounting bracket 52, a photoelectric sensor transmitter 523, a photoelectric sensor receiver 524, and a cover plate 53.

[0043] The fixing plate 51 is a rectangular plate structure, one end of which is fixed to the side wall of the vertical section of the mounting plate 41 by bolts. The mounting frame 52 is fixed to the bottom of the fixing plate 51. The mounting frame 52 is an inverted "U" shaped structure, that is, the mounting frame 52 has a horizontal top wall and two side walls (opposite ends) extending vertically downward from both ends of the top wall. The whole is a portal frame structure. The mounting frame 52 straddles the bottle cap on the conveyor belt. The two side walls are located on opposite sides of the bottle cap (i.e., on both sides along the width direction of the conveyor 1).

[0044] Mounting cavities 521 are respectively formed on the outer surfaces of the two side walls of the mounting bracket 52. Each mounting cavity 521 is a recessed structure that extends inward from the outer surface of the side wall to accommodate the photoelectric sensor transmitter 523 or the photoelectric sensor receiver 524. Each mounting cavity 521 has a through hole 522 that connects to the inner surface of the side wall. The through hole 522 is a circular through hole with a diameter smaller than that of the mounting cavity 521. The through holes 522 on the two side walls are concentric, meaning that their axes are on the same straight line and extend horizontally along the width direction of the conveyor 1.

[0045] A photoelectric sensor transmitter 523 and a photoelectric sensor receiver 524 are respectively fixed in the two mounting cavities 521. The photoelectric sensor transmitter 523 (model E3Z-T61 or equivalent transmitter) is used to emit detection light (infrared light or visible light). After the light is emitted from the transmitter, it passes through the through-hole 522 of one of the mounting cavities 521, passes through the space where the top of the bottle cap is located, and then passes through the through-hole 522 on the other side wall to reach the photoelectric sensor receiver 524. The photoelectric sensor receiver 524 (model matched with the transmitter, such as E3Z-T61 receiver) is used to receive the light and output a detection signal according to the intensity of the received light signal or the position where the light is blocked.

[0046] As the bottle cap passes below the second detection unit 5 on the conveyor belt, the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor transmitter 523 passes over the bottle cap. If the bottle cap is tightened to the correct height (i.e., the bottle cap is parallel and flush with the bottle opening and the screw-in depth is sufficient), the position where the light is blocked is within the preset acceptable range. If the bottle cap is tilted (one end higher than the other), the higher end of the bottle cap will block more light upwards, causing the position where the light is blocked to rise. If the bottle cap is not screwed in deep enough, the overall height of the bottle cap will be too high, and the position where the light is blocked will also rise. The photoelectric sensor receiver 524 outputs a corresponding analog or digital signal to the control system based on the received light signal changes. The control system then determines whether the bottle cap tightening is acceptable.

[0047] Cover plates 53 are detachably mounted on the outer surfaces of the two side walls of the mounting bracket 52 by bolts. The cover plates 53 are rectangular plate structures whose outlines are adapted to the outlines of the mounting cavity 521. The cover plates 53 cover the corresponding mounting cavity 521 to protect the internal photoelectric sensor components and prevent dust and foreign objects from entering the mounting cavity 521 and affecting the detection accuracy.

[0048] The material rejection unit 7 includes a control valve 71 and an air supply pipe 72.

[0049] Control valve 71 is fixed to the side wall of column 2. Control valve 71 is a solenoid valve (model 4V210-08 or equivalent). Its inlet end is connected to an air source (such as an air compressor or a centralized air supply system in the factory) through a pipeline. Control valve 71 is electrically connected to the control system. When it receives a rejection signal from the control system, the valve core of control valve 71 actuates, making the inlet end connected to the outlet end.

[0050] A gas supply pipe 72 is fixedly connected to the outlet end of the control valve 71. The gas supply pipe 72 extends horizontally from the control valve 71, passes through the side plate of the frame of the conveyor 1 near the column 2, and its outlet end extends into the space above the conveyor belt and is positioned opposite to the discharge port 11. When the control valve 71 is opened, high-pressure gas is ejected through the gas supply pipe 72, blowing the medicine bottle located at the discharge port 11 off the conveyor belt and discharging it through the discharge port 11.

[0051] The gas delivery pipe 72 includes a first pipe 721 and a second pipe 722. One end of the first pipe 721 is fixedly connected to the outlet of the control valve 71, and the other end of the first pipe 721 is a free end with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second pipe 722. One end of the second pipe 722 is inserted into the first pipe 721 from its free end, and there is an annular gap between the outer wall of the second pipe 722 and the inner wall of the first pipe 721, allowing the second pipe 722 to slide axially relative to the first pipe 721. The other end of the second pipe 722 (i.e., the outlet) passes through the side plate of the conveyor 1 near the column 2 and extends into the space above the conveyor belt. Both the first pipe 721 and the second pipe 722 are rigid pipes (such as stainless steel or copper pipes) to ensure stability when high-pressure gas passes through. The second pipe 722 is fixed to the limiting plate 8 and moves synchronously with the limiting plate 8 to ensure that the outlet of the gas delivery pipe 72 is always aligned with the discharge port 11.

[0052] The material guiding unit 6 is located on the outside of the discharge port 11 on the frame of the conveyor 1. The material guiding unit 6 includes two partitions 61, a baffle 62, a vertical plate 63, a servo motor 64, and a guide plate 65.

[0053] Both partitions 61 are vertically arranged rectangular plate structures, which are fixed on the left and right sides of the discharge port 11 respectively. The two partitions 61 extend horizontally outward (away from the conveyor 1) for a predetermined length from the edge of the discharge port 11, and a discharge channel is formed between the two partitions 61.

[0054] Two partitions 61 are fixedly connected to a baffle 62 at the ends away from the discharge port 11. The baffle 62 is a vertically arranged rectangular plate structure, and its two ends are fixedly connected to the ends of the two partitions 61 respectively. The baffle 62 is used to block and buffer the medicine bottles discharged from the discharge port 11 to prevent the medicine bottles from flying out and scattering.

[0055] A vertical plate 63 is fixed to the bottom of the baffle 62. The vertical plate 63 is a vertically arranged plate structure that extends vertically downward from the bottom edge of the baffle 62, and the bottom of the vertical plate 63 maintains a predetermined distance from the ground. A servo motor 64 (model can be 60 series or equivalent AC servo motor) is fixed to the outer surface of the vertical plate 63. The output end of the servo motor 64 passes through the vertical plate 63 and extends into the space between the two partitions 61. A guide plate 65 is fixedly connected to the output end.

[0056] The guide plate 65 is a vertically arranged rectangular plate structure. One end of it is fixedly connected to the output end of the servo motor 64. The guide plate 65 is located in the discharge channel between two partitions 61, and there is a predetermined distance between the bottom edge of the guide plate 65 and the top surface of the vertical plate 63 to ensure that the guide plate 65 can rotate freely. The servo motor 64 drives the guide plate 65 to rotate around the axis of the output end (i.e., the vertical axis), thereby switching the guiding direction (left or right) and guiding the defective medicine bottles to the collection containers on different sides. The servo motor 64 is electrically connected to the control system, and its rotation angle is controlled by the control system.

[0057] A limiting plate 8 is installed at the top of the conveyor 1 to guide and limit the width of the medicine bottles on the conveyor belt. The limiting plate 8 is a long strip-shaped plate structure that extends along the conveying direction, and its length covers the inspection station and the rejection station. The plate surface of the limiting plate 8 is set vertically and parallel to the conveying direction.

[0058] A U-shaped groove 81 is provided on the limiting plate 8. The U-shaped groove 81 is recessed downward from the top edge of the limiting plate 8 and extends through the thickness direction of the limiting plate 8. The second pipe 722 passes through the inside of the U-shaped groove 81. A positioning block 82 is fixedly connected to the U-shaped groove 81 by bolts. The positioning block 82 is a rectangular block structure. Its bottom abuts against the upper surface of the outer wall of the second pipe 722, thereby pressing and fixing the second pipe 722 to the limiting plate 8. When the limiting plate 8 moves, the second pipe 722 moves synchronously with the limiting plate 8 and slides within the first pipe 721.

[0059] The bottom of the limiting plate 8 spans the top of the two side frames of the conveyor 1 and can be slidably adjusted along the width direction of the conveyor 1.

[0060] The adjustment unit 9 is located on the outer wall of the frame of the conveyor 1 and is used to adjust and lock the position of the limit plate 8. The adjustment unit 9 includes a fixed base 91, a connecting rod 92 and a hand-tightening bolt 93.

[0061] The fixed base 91 is a rectangular block structure, fixed to the outer wall of the frame of the conveyor 1. The fixed base 91 has a through hole 911 and a screw hole 912. The through hole 911 is a circular through hole that runs horizontally through the fixed base 91 along the width direction of the conveyor 1, and is used to pass the connecting rod 92. The screw hole 912 is a threaded hole that is opened from the top surface of the fixed base 91 downward. The screw hole 912 is set perpendicular to the through hole 911, and its lower end is connected to the through hole 911.

[0062] The connecting rod 92 is a long cylindrical rod that passes through the through hole 911. One end of the connecting rod 92 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the limiting plate 8, and the other end extends out of the fixed seat 91 as the operating end.

[0063] The hand-tightening bolt 93 is threaded into the screw hole 912, and its lower end extends into the through hole 911 and abuts against the outer wall of the connecting rod 92. When the hand-tightening bolt 93 is loosened, the connecting rod 92 can slide freely in the through hole 911, thereby adjusting the position of the limiting plate 8. After adjustment, the hand-tightening bolt 93 is tightened, and its lower end presses against the outer wall of the connecting rod 92, locking the connecting rod 92 onto the fixing seat 91, thereby locking the position of the limiting plate 8.

[0064] Example 2: Please refer to Figure 10 This embodiment provides a medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection system, which is used to control the device described in Embodiment 1 above to operate.

[0065] The system includes a control system, which is electrically connected to the first detection unit 4, the second detection unit 5, the rejection unit 7, and the guiding unit 6, respectively, and is used to receive detection signals and control the operation of each actuator.

[0066] The control system is based on a PLC control system or an industrial computer control system (the model can be Siemens S7-1200 series or equivalent PLC controller). It integrates a signal acquisition module, a judgment module and an execution control module. In addition, the control system also includes a display module and an alarm module.

[0067] The signal acquisition module is electrically connected to the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 of the first detection unit 4 and the photoelectric sensor receiver 524 of the second detection unit 5. It is used to receive the aluminum foil detection signal (high / low level) output by the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 and the light signal intensity or position signal (analog signal) output by the photoelectric sensor receiver 524 in real time. The signal acquisition module is equipped with a signal conditioning circuit and an A / D conversion circuit. The signal conditioning circuit is used to filter and amplify the analog signal output by the sensor to eliminate noise interference. The A / D conversion circuit is used to convert the conditioned analog signal into a digital signal for processing by the judgment module. The sampling frequency of the signal acquisition module is not less than 100Hz to ensure accurate capture of the detection signal when the medicine bottle passes through the detection station.

[0068] The judgment module is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module. Internally, it has preset threshold values ​​for aluminum foil determination (signal strength threshold of electromagnetic induction sensor 43) and bottle cap height determination (light signal position threshold range of photoelectric sensor receiver 524). The judgment module compares and analyzes the received detection signal with the preset threshold values. The specific judgment logic is as follows: For aluminum foil detection: if the output signal amplitude of the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 is higher than the preset aluminum foil judgment threshold, it is determined that there is aluminum foil inside the bottle cap (qualified); if the output signal amplitude is lower than the preset threshold, it is determined that the aluminum foil is missing (unqualified).

[0069] For bottle cap tightening height detection: The judgment module calculates the actual height of the top of the bottle cap based on the light signal intensity or spot position received by the photoelectric sensor receiver 524. If the actual height is within the preset qualified height range (this range is set according to the bottle cap specifications, and the allowable deviation range is usually ±0.5mm), the bottle cap tightening height is judged to be qualified. If the actual height is higher or lower than the qualified range, the bottle cap tightening height is judged to be unqualified (including local height caused by tilting and insufficient overall tightening depth).

[0070] If both the aluminum foil inspection and the bottle cap height inspection are qualified, the judgment module determines that the current medicine bottle is a qualified product; if either one is unqualified or both are unqualified, the judgment module determines that the current medicine bottle is an unqualified product.

[0071] The execution control module is electrically connected to the judgment module, control valve 71, and servo motor 64. The execution control module is used to execute the following control logic based on the judgment result of the judgment module: When a defective product is identified, the execution control module calculates the time (delay time) required for the defective product to travel from the inspection station to the discharge port 11 based on the operating speed of conveyor 1 (obtained from the encoder feedback of the conveyor drive motor) and the distance from the inspection station to the discharge port 11 (a fixed value, pre-stored in the system). At the time the delay time is reached, the execution control module sends an opening signal (PWM pulse width modulation signal or switching signal) to control valve 71. The valve core of control valve 71 actuates, opening the air path, and high-pressure gas is ejected through the air supply pipe 72. After control valve 71 has been open for a predetermined time (e.g., 0.3-0.5 seconds), the execution control module sends a closing signal, and control valve 71 closes, completing one rejection operation.

[0072] Simultaneously, the execution control module controls the servo motor 64 to rotate to the corresponding angular position according to the preset material guiding strategy. The material guiding strategy is as follows: In the default state, the guide plate 65 is at the first material guiding angle (e.g., 30° to the left), guiding the defective medicine bottles to the first collection container. When the first collection container is full (this can be triggered by an external sensor detecting an overflow signal or by the counting module accumulating a preset threshold number of rejected items), the execution control module sends a rotation command to the servo motor 64. The servo motor 64 drives the guide plate 65 to rotate a predetermined angle (e.g., 60° to the right), switching to the second material guiding angle, guiding subsequent defective medicine bottles to the second collection container. When the second collection container is also full, it can switch back to the first collection container (at this time, the first collection container has been emptied and replaced), realizing cyclic switching and uninterrupted operation.

[0073] The execution control module also controls the movement of the electric linear module 3: when production starts or the bottle specifications are changed, the execution control module controls the electric linear module 3 to drive the detection component to rise and fall to the preset detection height according to the height parameters set by the operator.

[0074] The display module is a touch screen (model optional, Kunlun Tongtai TPC series or equivalent), installed on the control cabinet panel and connected to the PLC controller via a communication interface (such as RS485 or Ethernet). The display module is used to display real-time inspection data and production status, including but not limited to: total number of inspections, number of qualified products, number of unqualified products, number of missing aluminum foil, number of bottle cap height defects, failure rate, current conveyor speed, current inspection station status, current guide plate angle position, and the number of items collected in each collection container. The display module also provides a parameter setting interface, allowing operators to set parameters such as bottle cap height judgment threshold, aluminum foil judgment threshold, control valve opening time, and collection container capacity threshold via the touch screen.

[0075] The alarm module is an audible and visual alarm (model LTE-1101 or equivalent optional), electrically connected to the execution control module. When a defective product is detected, the alarm module emits an audible and visual alarm signal.

[0076] In addition, the control system also has data storage and communication functions. The control system has a built-in storage module (such as an SD card or EEPROM) for recording historical testing data, facilitating quality traceability. The control system communicates with a host computer (such as a factory MES system or SCADA system) via an industrial Ethernet interface (such as PROFINET or Modbus TCP / IP protocol) to upload testing data and equipment status to the factory management system, enabling centralized management and analysis of production data.

[0077] Example 3: This example provides a method for detecting the quality of medicine bottle packaging and automatically rejecting defective products, based on the system described in Example 2 and the device described in Example 1.

[0078] The method includes the following steps: Step S1 (Preprocessing Step): Before production starts, the operator inputs or selects the corresponding cap height parameters and aluminum foil detection parameters through the control system's display module (touchscreen) according to the height specifications of the medicine bottle to be tested. The control system calculates the required descent height of the electric linear module 3 based on the input parameters and sends control commands to the drive motor of the electric linear module 3. The electric linear module 3 drives the detection components (including the first detection unit 4 and the second detection unit 5) to descend to the preset detection height. At this time, the detection end of the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 maintains a predetermined distance (e.g., 2-5mm) from the top of the cap, and the detection light emitted by the photoelectric sensor's emitting end 523 passes through the preset height position of the cap (i.e., the standard position of the top of a qualified cap). After the detection height adjustment is completed, the electric linear module 3 remains in this position until the next specification change.

[0079] Step S2 (Conveying Step): The drive motor of conveyor 1 starts, and the conveyor belt moves forward at a constant speed (e.g., 0.2-0.5 m / s). After the medicine bottles are filled and capped at the previous station (e.g., filling and capping station), they are placed on the conveyor belt at intervals, with a predetermined distance between adjacent bottles. The bottles are conveyed forward with the conveyor belt. During the conveying process, the limiting plate 8 extends along the conveying direction, and its plate surface contacts the side wall of the bottle, applying a width-direction limiting effect to the bottle, so that the bottle runs along the middle area of ​​the width direction of the conveyor belt, ensuring that the bottle can accurately pass through the detection station (directly below the first detection unit 4 and the second detection unit 5) and the rejection station (at the discharge port 11).

[0080] Step S3 (Detection Step): When the medicine bottle arrives at the detection station (directly below the mounting frame 52 and the detection end of the electromagnetic induction sensor 43) along with the conveyor belt, the first detection unit 4 and the second detection unit 5 simultaneously detect the bottle cap.

[0081] The detection principle of the first detection unit 4 is as follows: When the coil inside the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 is energized, it generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. If aluminum foil is placed inside the bottle cap, when the aluminum foil enters the alternating magnetic field region of the sensor, induced eddy currents are generated on the surface of the aluminum foil. The counter-magnetic field generated by the eddy currents is detected by the sensor, causing a change in the parameters of the internal oscillation circuit of the sensor. The sensor outputs a high-amplitude electrical signal (high level). If no aluminum foil is placed inside the bottle cap, there is no eddy current effect, and the sensor outputs a low-amplitude electrical signal (low level). The electromagnetic induction sensor 43 transmits the detection signal to the signal acquisition module of the control system in real time.

[0082] The detection principle of the second detection unit 5 is as follows: The photoelectric sensor transmitter 523 continuously emits detection light (infrared light). The light passes through the through-hole 522 on one side wall of the mounting bracket 52, passes through the space where the top of the bottle cap is located, and then passes through the through-hole 522 on the other side wall, and is received by the photoelectric sensor receiver 524. If the bottle cap is tightened to the correct height (the bottle cap is within the preset standard height range), the position where the light is blocked by the top of the bottle cap is within the acceptable range, and the photocurrent signal output by the photoelectric sensor receiver 524 is within the normal range. If the bottle cap is tilted (one end is higher than the other), the higher end of the bottle cap occupies more light space, resulting in a weakening of the light signal intensity received by the receiver or a shift in the light spot position; if the overall tightening depth of the bottle cap is insufficient (i.e., the bottle cap is not fully tightened), the overall height of the bottle cap is too high, which also causes a change in the light signal received by the receiver. The photoelectric sensor receiver 524 converts the received light signal into an analog signal (such as 4-20mA or 0-10V) and transmits it to the signal acquisition module of the control system.

[0083] Step S4 (Judgment Step): The signal acquisition module of the control system receives the detection signals from the first detection unit 4 and the second detection unit 5 in real time, and transmits them to the judgment module after signal conditioning and A / D conversion. The judgment module compares the received digital signal with a preset threshold: First, determine the aluminum foil quality: If the output signal amplitude of the electromagnetic induction sensor 43 is greater than or equal to the preset aluminum foil judgment threshold, then the aluminum foil is determined to exist (qualified). If the value is less than the preset threshold, the aluminum foil is deemed missing (unqualified).

[0084] Next, determine the bottle cap height: If the bottle cap height value corresponding to the output signal of the photoelectric sensor receiver 524 is within the preset qualified height range, then the bottle cap tightening height is determined to be qualified. If it exceeds the acceptable range, the cap tightening height is deemed unacceptable.

[0085] Comprehensive judgment: If aluminum foil is present and the bottle cap height is up to standard, the product is judged as qualified; if aluminum foil is missing or the bottle cap height is not up to standard (including tilting and insufficient screwing), the product is judged as unqualified.

[0086] Step S5 (Rejection Step): If the product is determined to be qualified, the judgment module does not trigger the rejection signal, and the conveyor 1 continues to convey the product forward, and the medicine bottle enters the next process.

[0087] If a product is determined to be defective, the judgment module sends a defective signal and the location information of the defective product to the execution control module. The execution control module calculates the delay time T according to the following formula, based on the operating speed of conveyor 1 (V, in m / s) and the distance (L, in m) from the detection station to the discharge port 11: in, This is for system response compensation time (including signal transmission delay and control valve action delay, typically 10-50ms).

[0088] The execution control module starts an internal timer. When the delay time is reached, the execution control module sends an opening signal (such as a 24V DC voltage signal) to the control valve 71. The electromagnet of the control valve 71 is energized, and the valve core moves to connect the air inlet and outlet. High-pressure gas (pressure 0.4-0.6MPa) from the gas source is ejected at high speed from the outlet through the first pipe 721 and the second pipe 722, generating a directional high-speed airflow. The airflow acts on the side wall of the defective medicine bottle, blowing it off the conveyor belt and discharging it through the discharge port 11. After the control valve 71 is open for a predetermined time (such as 0.3-0.5 seconds), the execution control module sends a closing signal, the control valve 71 is de-energized and reset, the air path is cut off, and one rejection action is completed.

[0089] Step S6 (Guiding Step): The discharged defective medicine bottles enter the discharge channel between the two partitions 61 of the guiding unit 6 through the discharge port 11. The medicine bottles move outward along the channel, and after hitting the baffle 62, they are buffered and decelerated to prevent the medicine bottles from flying out and scattering or being damaged due to excessive speed.

[0090] During the process of the medicine bottles entering the discharge channel, the execution control module controls the working state of the servo motor 64 according to the current material guiding strategy. In the default state, the servo motor 64 drives the guide plate 65 to the first material guiding angle (e.g., deflected to the left), causing the medicine bottles to fall into the first collection container under the guidance of the guide plate 65. The control system accumulates the number of rejected items through the counting module; each time a defective product is rejected, the count is incremented by 1. When the accumulated number of rejected items reaches a preset container capacity threshold (e.g., 100), the execution control module determines that the first collection container is full and then sends a rotation control signal to the servo motor 64. After receiving the signal, the servo motor 64 drives the guide plate 65 to rotate around the vertical axis by a predetermined angle (e.g., 40° counterclockwise), switching to the second material guiding angle, so that subsequent defective medicine bottles are guided to the second collection container. When the second collection container is also full, the servo motor 64 rotates in the opposite direction to reset, switching back to the first collection container (at this time, the first collection container has been manually emptied and replaced), achieving uninterrupted cyclic rejection operation.

[0091] Throughout the operation, the control system's display module updates and displays various detection data and production status in real time, including the current total number of tests, the number of qualified products, the number of unqualified products, the quantity of each type of unqualified product, the rejection rate, the current position of the guide plate, and the status of the collection container. When the number of consecutive unqualified products exceeds the limit, or when there is an abnormal sensor signal or abnormal operation of the actuator, the alarm module issues an audible and visual alarm to prompt the operator to handle the situation promptly.

[0092] All electrical components of this invention (electric linear module 3, electromagnetic induction sensor 43, photoelectric sensor transmitter 523, photoelectric sensor receiver 524, control valve 71, servo motor 64, etc.) are existing known devices and can be purchased and used directly on the market. Their structure, circuit and control principle are existing known technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0093] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging, characterized in that, include: A conveyor (1) is used to transport medicine bottles, and a discharge port (11) is provided on one side of the frame of the conveyor (1). The column (2) is fixed to the other side of the frame of the conveyor (1); An electric linear module (3) is fixed to the side wall of the column (2), and the electric linear module (3) has a moving end that reciprocates in the vertical direction. The detection component is located on the moving end of the electric linear module (3). The detection component includes a first detection unit (4) for detecting the aluminum foil inside the bottle cap and a second detection unit (5) for detecting the tightening height of the bottle cap. The material rejection unit (7) is set on the outer wall of the column (2). The output end of the material rejection unit (7) passes through the frame of the conveyor (1) and is set opposite to the discharge port (11). The material guiding unit (6) is located on one side of the frame of the conveyor (1) and at the discharge port (11) for guiding the rejected medicine bottles to the collection container. A limiting plate (8) is set on the top of the conveyor (1) to guide and limit the medicine bottles during transport.

2. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first detection unit (4) includes a mounting plate (41) fixed to the moving end of the electric linear module (3). The mounting plate (41) has an inverted "L" shape. The top horizontal section of the mounting plate (41) has a through-hole (42). An electromagnetic induction sensor (43) is fixed on the upper surface of the top horizontal section of the mounting plate (41). The detection end of the electromagnetic induction sensor (43) passes through the mounting hole (42) and faces downward.

3. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second detection unit (5) includes a fixing plate (51) fixed to the side wall of the mounting plate (41). A mounting bracket (52) is fixed to the bottom of the side wall of the fixing plate (51). The mounting bracket (52) has an inverted "U" shaped structure. The mounting bracket (52) has mounting cavities (521) at opposite ends. Each mounting cavity (521) has a through hole (522) communicating with the outside on the inner wall of the inner wall of the mounting cavity (521). The two through holes (522) are arranged concentrically. A photoelectric sensor transmitter (523) and a photoelectric sensor receiver (524) are fixed in the two mounting cavities (521). A cover plate (53) for covering the mounting cavity (521) is detachably installed on the side wall of the mounting bracket (52).

4. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material rejection unit (7) includes a control valve (71) fixed to the side wall of the column (2). One end of the control valve (71) is connected to an air source, and the other end of the control valve (71) is connected to an air supply pipe (72). The air outlet of the air supply pipe (72) passes through the frame of the conveyor (1) and is positioned opposite to the discharge port (11). The gas supply pipe (72) includes a first pipe (721) and a second pipe (722). One end of the first pipe (721) is connected to the control valve (71). The other end of the first pipe (721) is sleeved inside one end of the second pipe (722) and is clearance-fitted with the second pipe (722). The end of the second pipe (722) away from the first pipe (721) is fixed on the limiting plate (8).

5. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material guiding unit (6) includes two partitions (61) fixed on both sides of the discharge port (11). One end of the two partitions (61) is fixedly connected to a baffle (62). A vertical plate (63) is fixed to the bottom of the baffle (62). A servo motor (64) is fixed on the vertical plate (63). The output end of the servo motor (64) passes through the vertical plate (63) and is fixedly connected to a guide plate (65). The guide plate (65) is located between the two partitions (61).

6. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting plate (8) has a U-shaped groove (81). When the second pipe (722) is fitted inside the U-shaped groove (81), a positioning block (82) is fixedly connected inside the U-shaped groove (81) by bolts. The bottom of the positioning block (82) abuts against the outer wall of the second pipe (722). An adjustment unit (9) is provided on the frame of the conveyor (1). The adjustment unit (9) includes a fixed seat (91) fixed to the outer wall of the frame of the conveyor (1). The fixed seat (91) has a through hole (911) and a screw hole (912). A connecting rod (92) is inserted in the through hole (911). One end of the connecting rod (92) is fixedly connected to the limiting plate (8). A hand-tightening bolt (93) is threaded in the screw hole (912). The end of the hand-tightening bolt (93) extends into the through hole (911) and abuts against the outer wall of the connecting rod (92).

7. A system for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging, applied to the medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: The control system is electrically connected to the first detection unit (4), the second detection unit (5), the rejection unit (7) and the guiding unit (6), respectively, and is used to receive detection signals and control the actions of each actuator.

8. The medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control system includes a signal acquisition module, a judgment module and an execution control module. The signal acquisition module is used to receive the detection signals from the first detection unit (4) and the second detection unit (5). The judgment module is used to judge whether the current packaging quality of the medicine bottle is qualified according to the detection signal. The execution control module is used to control the actions of the rejection unit (7) and the guiding unit (6) according to the judgment result.

9. A method for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging, applied to the medicine bottle packaging quality inspection and automatic rejection system described in claim 8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Preprocessing steps: The detection assembly is driven to descend to the detection height by the electric linear module (3); Conveying steps: The conveyor (1) conveys the medicine bottles forward in sequence, and the limiting plate (8) limits the medicine bottles to the middle of the width direction of the conveyor belt; Inspection steps: When the medicine bottle arrives at the inspection station, the first inspection unit (4) checks whether there is aluminum foil inside the bottle cap, and the second inspection unit (5) checks whether the tightening height of the bottle cap is qualified; Judgment steps: The control system determines whether the current medicine bottle is a qualified product based on the detection signals of the first detection unit (4) and the second detection unit (5); Rejection step: If the product is determined to be defective, when the medicine bottle reaches the discharge port (11), the control system controls the rejection unit (7) to push the defective medicine bottle out of the discharge port (11); Feeding step: The unqualified medicine bottle is pushed out into the feeding unit (6) and falls into the corresponding collection container under the guidance of the guide plate (65).

10. A method for quality inspection and automatic rejection of medicine bottle packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the detection step, the first detection unit (4) uses an electromagnetic induction sensor (43) to detect the presence or absence of aluminum foil inside the bottle cap, and the second detection unit (5) uses a through-beam photoelectric sensor to detect the height position of the top of the bottle cap. The bottle cap is determined to be tightened properly by judging whether the height of the bottle cap is within the preset range.

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