Article inspection apparatus, and maintenance management method and maintenance management system for the apparatus

Abstract

An article inspection device includes an internal database (13) that stores maintenance management data (Lpk) of identification codes of a plurality of main components that constitute the article inspection device and are maintenance targets, in association with device identification information, i.e., a device number (Mnb), of a shipment product from a manufacturing plant; and a control unit (12) that displays and outputs the plurality of main components as actually installed maintenance target products (P1-P9) in association with the device number (Mnb) when display output of the maintenance management data (Lpk) is requested.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an item inspection device, a maintenance management method and a maintenance management system for the device, and more particularly to an item inspection device capable of replacing consumables or replacing deteriorated or malfunctioning maintenance components under set conditions, as well as a maintenance management method and a maintenance management system for the device. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, item inspection devices were frequently used to inspect items during transport, such as checking for foreign objects, the presence or absence of missing items, excessive or insufficient size and weight of contents, and the appropriateness of packaging conditions.

[0003] Such inspection devices are installed in production lines that mass-produce items such as food. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to replace the main functional components in a short time even if they are worn out or malfunction, so as to minimize the downtime of the production line for maintenance.

[0004] As such an item inspection device, for example, there is an item inspection device that is known to be used in a measuring device that is often used for food inspection. When the item is shipped, consumables such as movable parts are stored as main maintenance components in a storage mechanism. Thus, if the device is switched from the normal inspection operation mode to the consumable / maintenance display mode, information such as the order code of the main maintenance component can be displayed and output (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-270220

[0006] However, in the past, many item inspection devices were customized to meet the requirements or specifications from the production line, and the main maintenance components were often replaced with components different from the standard ones before shipment. Therefore, even when users ordered the necessary main maintenance components based on the item inspection device's operation manual or user manual, incorrect orders due to the replacement of standard components sometimes prevented the manufacturer from responding quickly and accurately to user maintenance requests.

[0007] Furthermore, when ordering maintenance components for such customized inspection devices from the manufacturer, there are sometimes situations where orders are placed based on the user's existing order or where the ordering method for maintenance components is difficult to determine. From the perspective of the manufacturer having to deal with multiple ordering methods and determine the required maintenance components, it is sometimes impossible to respond to the user's maintenance requests quickly and accurately. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an item inspection device, its maintenance management method, and its maintenance management system that can respond quickly and accurately to users' maintenance requests.

[0009] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, there is an article inspection device that measures a specified physical quantity of an article and checks the quality status of the article based on the measured value of the physical quantity. The article inspection device is characterized by comprising: a display operation unit; a maintenance management data storage unit that associates and stores maintenance management data, which includes component identification codes of multiple main components constituting the article inspection device and which are maintenance objects, with device identification information, i.e., equipment number, of the shipped products from the manufacturer; and a control unit that, when a request is made to display the maintenance management data, selectively displays and outputs the multiple main components as actually installed maintenance objects associated with the equipment number to the display operation unit based on the maintenance management data stored in the maintenance management data storage unit.

[0010] According to this structure, even if any major component is customized to a non-standard part according to the specifications of the item inspection device, the user can easily and reliably identify consumables that are worn out or other components that need to be replaced, thus reliably preventing incorrect orders. Furthermore, the major components referred to here include, for example, conveyor belts, rollers, conveyor drive motors, other different types of mounting components, and extended and parallel conveyors of different materials or sizes. In the case of a sorting machine arranged in parallel, the major components of that sorting machine may also be included.

[0011] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can be configured as follows: It includes a maintenance request information generation mechanism that generates maintenance request information associated with the device number using the component identification code of a selected major component among the plurality of major components displayed in the display operation unit; and a maintenance request information output mechanism that sends and outputs the maintenance request information associated with the device number from a communication port capable of maintenance communication. Here, the maintenance request information associated with the device number may, for example, include a display image of a QR code that can be read by an information terminal, or information that determines a network address that can be connected to an EC (e-commerce) website or support service communication node on the manufacturer's side by reading the code.

[0012] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the structure can be configured such that the maintenance management data storage unit can read out and store as read-only information the picking data used to pick the plurality of main components during assembly of the device in the manufacturing plant, which is used for maintenance management of the plurality of main components. In this case, it is also possible to configure the structure in which the picking data is stored as maintenance management data of the plurality of main components in the maintenance management data storage unit, and the maintenance management data storage unit is written to via the communication port, wherein the writing can be performed via a communication network.

[0013] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the structure can be configured as follows: the control unit connects the maintenance request information output mechanism to the support service communication node of the manufacturing plant via the communication port, and sends and outputs the maintenance request information associated with the device number for one of the plurality of major components to the support service communication node through the maintenance request information output mechanism.

[0014] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the structure can be configured such that the transmission intensity distribution of X-rays transmitted through the article is measured as a defined physical quantity of the article. Of course, the article inspection device is not limited to X-ray inspection methods; it can be a metal detection method that measures changes in the magnetic field as the article passes through, a measurement method that measures a load corresponding to the weight of the article as it passes through, or an article inspection device based on camera images for visual inspection, etc.

[0015] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for maintaining and managing an item inspection device is provided. The item inspection device measures a specified physical quantity of an item and checks the quality status of the item based on the measured value of that physical quantity. The method is characterized by comprising: a maintenance management data storage step, in which maintenance management data of multiple main components assembled at the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device are associated with device identification information (i.e., equipment number) of the shipped items from the manufacturing plant, and stored in a non-volatile memory located inside the item inspection device; a specific component identification data generation step, in which, when an operation input is performed to select a specific main component from the multiple main components within the item inspection device as a maintenance target item, specific component identification data is generated based on the maintenance management data associated with the equipment number and stored in the non-volatile memory in the maintenance management data storage step, to uniquely identify the specific main component selected as the maintenance target item; and an order information output step, in which component order information using the specific component identification data and the equipment number associated with the maintenance management data is sent from the item inspection device and output to a support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side.

[0016] According to this structure, even if any major component is customized to be a component other than the standard one in accordance with the requirements of the item inspection device, the user can easily and reliably identify the consumables that are being consumed / deteriorated or other components that need to be replaced, and reliably prevent erroneous order information output (ordering).

[0017] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the structure can be configured to include the following steps: an order information generation step, wherein when the component order information is received via a support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, the device number and the specific component identification data associated with the device number are obtained; when the obtained device number and the specific component identification data are included in the service device number and service component identification data stored in the service component management database set on the manufacturing plant side, order information corresponding to the component order information is generated; and a shipment decision step, wherein, based on the device number and the specific component identification data included in the order information, the shipment of a maintenance component of the same specifications as the specific maintenance component equipped on the item inspection device, as determined by the device number, is decided.

[0018] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, a system for maintaining and managing an article inspection device is provided. The article inspection device measures a specified physical quantity of an article and checks the quality status of the article based on the measured value of the physical quantity. The system is characterized by comprising: a maintenance management data input unit, which stores maintenance management data of multiple main components assembled in the article inspection device at the manufacturing plant as maintenance management data associated with the device identification information, i.e., the equipment number, of the shipped product from the manufacturing plant in a non-volatile memory within the article inspection device and in a maintenance management database at the manufacturing plant; and a specific component identification data generation unit, which generates specific component identification data that can uniquely identify the specific main component selected as the maintenance target article based on the maintenance management data associated with and stored with the equipment number when an operation input is made on the article inspection device side to select a specific main component from the multiple main components as the maintenance target article. The order information output unit sends and outputs component order information, which uses the specific component identification data and the device number associated with the maintenance management data, from the item inspection device to the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side; the order acceptance information generation unit, when receiving the component order information through the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, obtains the device number and the specific component identification data associated with the device number, and generates order acceptance information corresponding to the component order information when the obtained device number and specific component identification data are included in the service device number and service component identification data stored in the service component management database set on the manufacturing plant side; and the shipment decision unit, based on the device number and specific component identification data included in the order acceptance information, determines the shipment of a maintenance component of the same specification as the specific maintenance component equipped on the item inspection device, as determined by the device number.

[0019] According to this structure, even if any major component is customized to be a component other than the standard one in accordance with the requirements of the item inspection device, the user can easily and reliably identify the consumables that are being consumed / deteriorated or other components that need to be replaced, thus reliably preventing incorrect orders.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] According to the present invention, an item inspection device, a maintenance management method, and a maintenance management system that can respond quickly and accurately to user maintenance requests are provided. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the maintenance management system for an item inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of an item inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which displays a list of requested maintenance management components in maintenance mode.

[0025] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the steps for creating a list of maintenance management components that can be displayed in maintenance mode in an item inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main components of an article inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention that are subject to maintenance and management.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the general working steps of a maintenance and management method for an item inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, the methods for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figures 1 to 6 An article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] First, let's explain the structure.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the article inspection device 10 of this embodiment includes: a display operation unit 11 having a display mechanism 11a and an operation input mechanism 11b; a control unit 12 having an inspection control unit 21, which measures a specified physical quantity of the conveyed article P and performs article inspection control to check the quality status of the article P based on the measured value of the physical quantity; and an internal database (DB) 13, which performs the function of accumulating and storing information related to the results of article inspection.

[0032] The item inspection device 10 includes: a conveying unit 40 that conveys the item P to be inspected using predetermined conveyors 41, 42, and 43; an inspection unit 30 that performs predetermined image processing on the item images Dpx obtained by taking X-ray images of each item P in the conveying path and inspects the quality status of the item P through an inspection control unit 21; a sorting unit 50 that operates according to a sorting instruction signal RJ corresponding to the inspection result of the quality status and sorts the inspected item P inspected by the inspection unit 30 to the distribution direction corresponding to the inspection result; and the aforementioned control unit 12 that controls the conveying unit 40, the inspection unit 30, and the sorting unit 50.

[0033] The display operation unit 11 is, for example, a touch panel type. Its display function constitutes the display mechanism 11a, and its touch panel operation input function constitutes the operation input mechanism 11b. Furthermore, the display operation unit 11, together with the tablet-type information terminal 2 (maintenance component management input mechanism) on the user location 1 side which has communication and code reading functions, is communicatively connected to the control unit 12 in a data communication manner.

[0034] The control unit 12 has the following display control unit 22 function: when inputting information from the tablet-type information terminal 2 at user location 1 or via touch panel operation input from the operation input mechanism 11b, it requests a list display of information on multiple main maintenance items (main components) of the item inspection device 10, such as... Figure 3 The component identification code Npi or component name N shown indicates that when requesting a list display output equivalent to a component table, the maintenance and management data Lpk stored in the internal DB13 is used, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the main components P1 to P9 are displayed and output by selecting one of the items to be maintained, with the item number Im as the project number.

[0035] The multiple main components P1 to P9 mentioned here refer to a specific number of component items among the multiple components constituting the item inspection device 10 that may be consumed or malfunction and become objects of maintenance, for example, such as Figure 5 As shown, it is not limited to the components installed (assembled) in the item inspection device 10, but may also include auxiliary components or peripheral components used in daily in the item inspection device 10.

[0036] The component identification code Npi is the component identification information corresponding to the product number or identifiable order name used in the order of each service component, which is the main component P1 to P9. It is stored in the internal DB13 together with the device identification information of the shipment from the manufacturer, namely the device number Mnb (manufacturing number) of the item inspection device 10, as the component data Idpi (i is a natural number corresponding to the item number of the component item) for each component item.

[0037] Furthermore, in the component data Idpi for each component item, for each component item identified by the component identification code Npi such as the product number, a QR code Cd is encoded that establishes a corresponding association with a specific network address, such as the support service communication node on the manufacturer's side of the item inspection device 10, namely the EC (e-commerce) website 101 or the remote maintenance service website 102. Thus, the component data Idpi, which can uniquely identify each component with the component identification code Npi and communicate with the support service communication node on the manufacturer's side, is stored in the internal DB13 for each item of multiple main components P1 to P9.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, based on the type or individual requirement specifications of the item inspection device 10 contained in the order information, the type or user requirement specifications of the item inspection device 10 are determined, and the data for the picking component list, i.e., maintenance management data Lpk, which is equivalent to the corresponding component table, is generated. Then, for multiple main components P1 to P9, the component data Idpi related to each maintenance object item is generated and processed by repeating each item multiple times, i.e., n times (for example, 9 times in this case).

[0039] Furthermore, a standard component table is prepared for each type of the item inspection device 10. Regarding each maintenance object component Pi in this component table, for example, according to... Figure 4 The multiple requirement specification distinctions a to f are shown in the figure. Starting from the product number of the standard component, there are product number candidates of the maintenance object component category that are suitable for the corresponding requirement distinction. The requirement specification distinction is determined according to the content of the user's requirement specification at the time of order acceptance.

[0040] Therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, for any component item Pi, such as a conveyor belt P1 with item number (Im) "1", if the required specification is determined to be of the high clamping force type or the material category "c" suitable for the type of item P, the product number of the corresponding component is determined as the component identification code Npi. Alternatively, for any component item Pi, such as a motor P5 with item number "5", if the required specification is determined to be of the high torque specification type "c", the product number of the corresponding component is determined as the component identification code Npi.

[0041] Furthermore, after establishing a corresponding association with the component identification code Npi, the pre-set QR code Cd for each maintenance object component Pi and the component identification code Npi are determined simultaneously. For each component item Pi, the QR code Cdi corresponding to the required component identification code Npi is selected and set.

[0042] The control unit 12 also functions as: a maintenance request information generation mechanism 23, which generates component data Idpi associated with the device number Mnb when multiple main components P1 to P9 are displayed and output by the display control unit 22 in a selectable component manner, using the component identification code Npi of the selected main component (component Pi with item number Imi) among the multiple main components P1 to P9 in the display output as maintenance request information; and a maintenance request information output mechanism 24, which displays and outputs and / or sends and outputs component data Idpi as maintenance request information associated with device number Mnb from the communication port 25 that can be used for maintenance communication.

[0043] The internal DB13 has the function of storing maintenance management data Lpk, which is equivalent to a component table, containing component identification codes Npi for each of the multiple main components including the item inspection device 10.

[0044] The internal DB13 can read and store as read-only information the picking data used during the manufacturing process of picking at least a plurality of main components P1 to P9, or the picking data used during the manufacturing process of picking all components, when assembling the device in the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device 10. This data can be used to pick the device during manufacturing, either for picking at least a plurality of main components P1 to P9 or for picking all components. The picking data input unit 111 can also write to the internal DB13 via the communication port 25 to store the picking data as maintenance management data Lpk for a plurality of main components P1 to P9 in the internal DB13. This writing can also be performed via the communication network 200.

[0045] Furthermore, after the item inspection device 10 is put into use, if other main components with the same purpose as the standard components described in the standard instruction manual, such as optional components that can be replaced from the standard components or modified specification components inherent to the device, are purchased / installed, the internal DB13 can store this as read-only information by appending maintenance management data for the new installation item to the list information of the actually installed maintenance target items, namely maintenance management data Lpk. Then, in this case, based on the appended maintenance management data Lpk, the actually installed maintenance target items P1 to P9 and the new installation item P10, which are associated with the device number Mnb, are displayed and output in a selectable component manner. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, other options such as standard components that are not actually installed can be displayed in a non-emphasis state, and when there is an operation input requesting other options, other options such as standard components that are not actually installed can be displayed.

[0046] EC website 101 has user authentication and payment functions for component orders that use component data Idpi, enabling users to place component orders.

[0047] When a maintenance request using the component identification code Npi is submitted for support or remote maintenance, the remote maintenance service website 102 determines the received component data Idpi as the identification information (Npi+Mnb) of the actual installed component that associates the component identification code Npi of the maintenance request with the device number Mnb of the item inspection device 10. Based on the storage information in the order information database (DB) 103 (service component management database, maintenance management database), it determines whether the maintenance request information (Npi+Mnb) determined by this identification information can be accepted. Then, if the determination results in acceptance, the order information Iod, containing the component identification code Npi corresponding to the accepted maintenance request information (Npi+Mnb), is notified to the logistics system 150.

[0048] These EC sites 101 or remote maintenance service sites 102 constitute part of the maintenance management system 100 of the item inspection device in this embodiment, which performs maintenance management on the item inspection device 10.

[0049] The maintenance management system 100 has a picking data input unit 111 (a maintenance management data input unit on the manufacturing plant side). The picking data input unit 111 associates the maintenance management data Lpk corresponding to the picking data of multiple main components P1 to P9 during assembly in the manufacturing plant with the device identification information, i.e., the equipment number Mnb, of each of the multiple main components P1 to P9 and the shipment from the manufacturing plant, and stores it in the internal DB13 of the item inspection device 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the maintenance management system 100 has a remote maintenance service website 102 (a support service communication node and a specific component identification data acquisition unit on the manufacturing plant side). When the remote maintenance service website 102 performs an operation input on the item inspection device 10 to select any one of the multiple main components P1 to P9 as the maintenance target item and determine its item number Imi, it acquires the component identification code Npi contained in the maintenance management data Lpk of the order information DB103 on the manufacturing plant side, which is associated with the equipment number Mnb, as the specific component identification data Npi.

[0051] Furthermore, the maintenance management system 100 includes an order information output unit 24, which sends component data Idpi, which uses specific component identification data Npi and device number Mnb as component order information, from the item inspection device 10 side to the support service communication node, namely the remote maintenance service website 102, on the manufacturing plant side.

[0052] In addition, the maintenance management system 100 includes: a remote maintenance service website 102 as an order information generation unit, which, when receiving component data Idpi containing the component identification code Npi and equipment number Mnb contained in the maintenance management data Lpk as component order information via the remote maintenance service website 102 on the manufacturing plant side, obtains the equipment number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi associated with the equipment number Mnb; when the obtained equipment number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi are included in multiple sets of service equipment number groups Mnbd and service component identification data groups Npd stored in the order information DB103 set on the manufacturing plant side, generates order information Iod corresponding to the component data Idpi; and a logistics system 150 as a shipping decision unit, which, based on the equipment number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi contained in the order information Iod, decides to ship maintenance components of the same specifications as the specific maintenance component Pi actually equipped on the item inspection device 10, determined by the equipment number Mnb, as the user's purchased component, i.e., consumable or maintenance component.

[0053] In this embodiment, an article inspection device 10 with a sorting section 50 disposed directly behind the inspection section 30 is illustrated, but the sorting section 50 may not be provided. Furthermore, the inspection section 30 is illustrated as an X-ray inspection device, but it could also be a metal detection device that measures changes in the magnetic field as an article passes through, a measurement device that measures a load corresponding to the weight of the article as it passes through, or an appearance inspection device based on camera images, etc.

[0054] Conveying unit 40 consists of Figure 2 The conveyor belt consists of a front conveyor 41, an inspection conveyor 42, and a sorting conveyor 43 arranged in a row along the left-right direction, along with their conveyor drive motors M1 and M2 and sorting drive actuators Vf. Although not shown in detail, they are configured to convey a driven, annular conveyor belt via rollers on their respective parallel drive and driven sides, thereby enabling the conveyor belt to move along the left-right direction. Figure 1 Items P are sequentially transported to the right in the middle. Furthermore, the conveying drive mechanism of the inspection conveyor 42 and the sorting conveyor 43 is configured to include, in addition to the motors M1 and M2 for conveying drive, an encoder for speed detection, etc., and performs control based on the inspection control unit 21 to achieve a conveying speed set according to each type of item P.

[0055] The inspection unit 30 is an X-ray inspection unit having an X-ray generator 31 (X-ray source) that generates X-rays that transmit through a specified energy band of the article P transported by the transport unit 40 and an X-ray detector 33 disposed directly below the upward section 42a of the inspection conveyor 42.

[0056] The X-ray generator 31 can generate X-rays with wavelengths and intensities corresponding to its tube current and tube voltage through a known X-ray tube 32, and irradiate the items P in the specified inspection zone on the inspection conveyor 42 with fan-shaped beams of X-rays that extend in a direction orthogonal to the item transport direction of the transport section 40, i.e., the scanning direction of the X-ray detector 33, through the X-ray window of the peripheral equipment (not shown).

[0057] Although details are not shown, the X-ray detector 33 is, for example, an X-ray linear sensor using an indirect conversion method with a scintillator, and multiple photodiodes or CCDs (charge-coupled devices) that receive the scintillating light are arranged in an array at a predetermined spacing along the width of the transport path of the transport section 40 to perform X-ray detection at a predetermined resolution.

[0058] The X-ray detector 33 is positioned at a predetermined position in the transport direction corresponding to the X-ray irradiation position of the X-ray generator 31. That is, the X-ray detector 33 can detect X-rays that have been irradiated from the X-ray generator 31 and transmitted through the article P in each predetermined transmission area corresponding to the detection element, convert them into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of X-ray transmission, and output an X-ray detection signal Lx for generating an X-ray transmission image with the transmission direction of the X-rays as the observation direction.

[0059] Furthermore, the X-ray detector 33 performs a line scan in the width direction corresponding to the conveying speed of the inspection conveyor 42. If the item P is detected by the pre-inspection item detection sensor 38 being placed onto the inspection conveyor 42, the inspection control unit 21 repeats the line scan of the X-ray detector 33 at least during the X-ray imaging of the item P (conveying direction length / conveying speed) via the X-ray image acquisition unit 35, and acquires the X-ray detection signal Lx for each scan line. The pre-inspection item detection sensor 38 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor that has an optical axis at a predetermined position in the conveying direction on the inspection conveyor 42 and is shielded from light by the item P being placed on it.

[0060] The inspection control unit 21 of the control unit 12 controls the X-ray irradiation intensity and irradiation period in the inspection unit 30, or controls the line scan cycle of the X-ray detector 33 corresponding to the transport speed of the item P and the detection period of each item P. It can also set the output conditions of the sorting instruction signal RJ corresponding to the inspection results of the inspection unit 30 and the conditions of the allocation operation in the sorting unit 50 according to the category of the sorting instruction signal RJ or the type of item P, and control it via the operation control unit 55 with built-in drive circuit.

[0061] Although the detailed structure is not illustrated, the control unit 12 is implemented, for example, through a combination of hardware such as a microcomputer (processor) with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O interfaces, and software such as programs that perform various functions on that hardware. The hardware mentioned here may include FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Furthermore, the various functions mentioned here include multiple functions for acquiring and outputting detection data for generating X-ray images of the article P, generating inspection image data, performing prescribed image processing, inspection judgment processing, and controlling display output. In addition, it includes software management functions and timer functions for storing control programs and program modules used to perform each function in a readable manner in ROM, auxiliary storage devices, and other recording media, or downloading them from other computers via data communication.

[0062] The inspection control unit 21 of the control unit 12 is structured to store multiple algorithms for image processing for inspection as modular programs, and to update or switch program modules such as the image processing filter. The image processing filter P6 and the like can be included in the main components described in this invention.

[0063] The sorting unit 50 includes a support frame supporting the sorting conveyor 43 and a pair of distribution components, such as finned arms 51, rotatably supported on both sides of the support frame in the width direction of the conveying path of the sorting conveyor 43. Although not shown in detail, the motion control unit 55 includes a pair of cylinders, rod components, and valves for independently controlling the distribution motion of the pair of finned arms 51. These components of the sorting unit 50 and the motion control unit 55 can also be included in the main components described in this invention. Furthermore, if the sorting unit 50 is equipped with a pre-sorting item detection sensor, a qualified item passing detection sensor, and a non-qualified item rejection detection sensor, these components can also be included in the main components described in this invention.

[0064] Next, a maintenance and management method for an article inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, and the function of this embodiment will be explained.

[0065] (Implementation steps for maintenance and management)

[0066] In this embodiment, the article inspection device 10, which measures a specified physical quantity of the transported article P and checks the quality status of article P based on the measured value of that physical quantity, uses its maintenance management method to quickly and accurately place orders for the components to be maintained, as follows: Figure 6 The illustrated general processing steps are implemented as a maintenance and management method of one embodiment.

[0067] First, the following maintenance management data storage step is performed (step S11), that is, the maintenance management data of multiple main components P1 to P9 during assembly at the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device 10 is associated with the device identification information, i.e., the device number Mnb, of the shipment from the manufacturing plant, and stored in the internal DB13 (non-volatile memory) provided inside the item inspection device 10.

[0068] Next, the following specific component identification data generation step is performed (step S12), that is, when an operation input is made from the user location 1 to select a specific main component among the multiple main components P1 to P9 in the item inspection device 10 as the maintenance object, based on the maintenance management data Lpk which is associated with the device number Mnb and stored in the internal DB13 in the maintenance management data storage step, specific component identification data Npi that can uniquely identify the specific main component Pi selected as the maintenance object is generated.

[0069] Next, the following order information output step is performed (step S13), that is, the component data Idpi, which uses the specific component identification data Npi and the device number Mnb associated with the maintenance management data Lpk as component order information, is sent from the item inspection device 10 and output to the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, namely the remote maintenance service website 102.

[0070] Next, the following order information generation step (step S14) is performed: when component data Idpi, which is input as component order information, is received through a support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, such as a remote maintenance service website 102, the device number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi associated with the device number Mnb are obtained. When the obtained device number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi are included in the service device number group Mnbd and the service component identification data group Npd stored in the service component management database set on the manufacturing plant side, order information Iod corresponding to the component data Idpi, which is the component order information, is generated.

[0071] Next, the following shipping decision step (step S15) is performed: on the logistics system 150 side, upon receiving the order information Iod notification from the remote maintenance service website 102, the system selects a maintenance component of the same specification as the specific maintenance component Pi equipped on the item inspection device 10 as the purchased consumable or maintenance component based on the device number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi contained in the order information Iod, as determined by the device number Mnb, and decides to ship the consumable or maintenance component.

[0072] (effect)

[0073] In the item inspection device 10 of this embodiment, the set values ​​of various control parameters may change depending on the product type. Therefore, it is often necessary to customize the method or function to suit the requirements and specifications from the production line side. In many cases, the main components P1 to P9 are replaced with components that are different from the standard products.

[0074] Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, firstly, based on the operation input from the touch panel of the operation input mechanism 11b, the identification code Npi or component name N of each component of the object item is maintained and displayed in a list form, such as the multiple main components P1 to P9 of the item inspection device 10, along with the corresponding QR code Cd.

[0075] Then, when the output is displayed as a list equivalent to a component table, multiple main components P1 to P9 are displayed and output by selecting one of the item numbers based on the category of the maintained object.

[0076] Therefore, users do not need to refer to the operation manual or user manual of the item inspection device 10, but can... Figure 3 On the example list display screen, after determining the selected component item by touching or moving the cursor or highlighted part by operating the operation keys 61, 62, 63, and 64, the selection operation can be completed by operating the confirmation button 65 to confirm the selection of the component item to be maintained.

[0077] Then, if a specific maintenance item Pi is selected, even if it is a component different from the standard item, the component identification code Npi (component identification data) of the installed component can be accurately extracted. The QR code Cd can be read by the information terminal 2 on the user's location 1 (which can be enlarged when selected) or selected by the touch panel operation. This connects to the EC website 101 or the remote maintenance service website 102 on the manufacturer's side, and the user's maintenance request can be quickly and accurately transmitted to the manufacturer's side, so that a rapid and accurate response can be executed.

[0078] Thus, in the item inspection device 10 of this embodiment, even if any of the main components P1 to P9 are customized into components other than standard products according to the requirements from the user location 1, when it is necessary to replace consumables that are worn out or deteriorated, or when other components need to be replaced due to malfunction or functional degradation, the user can easily and reliably grasp the required maintenance target component Pi, thereby reliably preventing incorrect orders.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a maintenance request information Idpi associated with the device number Mnb is displayed and / or sent and output from the communication port 25, which is capable of maintenance communication. Therefore, a display image of a QR code Cs that can be read by an information terminal or the like is also included. Thus, it can quickly and accurately connect to support service communication nodes such as the EC website 101 or the remote maintenance service website 102 on the manufacturer's side, thereby enabling communication between them.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the picking data used during device assembly at the manufacturing plant can be read as maintenance management data Lpk and stored as read-only information in the internal DB13. Therefore, the main components P1 to P9 of the actual installed maintenance objects can be accurately listed. Moreover, since the initial maintenance management data Lpk can be written to the internal DB13 via the communication port 25, and changes to the maintenance management data Lpk can be added when components are changed, the required maintenance object components Pi can always be easily and reliably grasped, thereby reliably preventing incorrect orders.

[0081] Furthermore, the maintenance management method of this embodiment includes: a maintenance management data storage step (S11), which establishes an association between maintenance management data Lpk of multiple main components P1 to P9 during assembly at the manufacturing plant and the device identification information, i.e., the equipment number Mnb, of the shipped products from the manufacturing plant and stores it in an internal DB13; and a specific component identification data generation step (S12), which generates data based on the maintenance management data Lpk and equipment number Mnb stored in the internal DB13 when an operation input is performed to select a specific main component Pi from multiple main components P1 to P9 as the maintenance target product. The system generates specific component identification data Npi that can uniquely identify the specific main component Pi selected as the maintenance object; and in the order information output step (S13), it sends the component order information Idpi using the specific component identification data Npi and the equipment number Mnb from the item inspection device 10 and outputs it to the remote maintenance service website 102 on the manufacturer's side. Therefore, even in cases where multiple main components P1 to P9 are customized as components other than standard products, the user can easily and reliably grasp the consumables that have been consumed / deteriorated or other components that need to be replaced, thereby reliably preventing the output of incorrect order information (ordering).

[0082] Furthermore, this embodiment includes: an order information generation step (S14), in which, when component order information Idpi is received via the remote maintenance service website 102 on the manufacturing plant side, the device number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi associated with the device number Mnb are obtained; when the obtained device number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi are included in the service device number group Mnbd and the service component identification data group Npd stored in the order information DB103 set on the manufacturing plant side, order information Iod corresponding to the component order information Idpi is generated; and a shipment decision step (S15), in which, based on the device number Mnb and the specific component identification data Npi contained in the order information Iod, the maintenance component with the same specifications as the specific maintenance component Pi determined by the device number Mnb is determined and its shipment is decided, thus effectively preventing incorrect order processing or shipment processing.

[0083] Similarly, the maintenance management system in this embodiment includes: a picking data input unit 111, which associates maintenance management data Lpk of multiple main components P1 to P9 during assembly at the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device 10 with the equipment number Mnb and stores them in an internal DB13 and the order information DB103 at the manufacturing plant; a maintenance request information generation mechanism 23 (specific component identification data generation unit, processing function unit of step S12) of the control unit 12, which generates specific component identification data Npi that can uniquely identify the selected specific main component Pi based on the maintenance management data Lpk associated with and stored with the equipment number Mnb when the operation input is performed on the item inspection device 10 to select a specific main component Pi among multiple main components P1 to P9 as the maintenance target item; and a maintenance request information output mechanism 24 (order information output unit, processing function unit of step S13), which outputs component data Idpi, which uses specific component identification data Npi and equipment number Mnb as component order information, from the item inspection device. The device 10 sends and outputs to the remote maintenance service website 102 (support service communication node) on the manufacturing plant side; the remote maintenance service website 102 (order information generation unit, processing function unit of step S14), when receiving component data Idpi as component order information through the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, obtains the equipment number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi. When these equipment number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi are included in the service equipment number group Mnbd and service component identification data group Npd stored in the order information DB103 set on the manufacturing plant side, it generates order information Iod corresponding to the component data Idpi as component order information; and the logistics system 150 (shipment decision unit, processing function unit of step S14), based on the equipment number Mnb and specific component identification data Npi contained in the order information Iod, determines the maintenance component with the same specifications as the specific maintenance component Pi equipped on the item inspection device 10, as determined by the equipment number Mnb, and decides to ship it. Therefore, it can also effectively prevent incorrect order processing or shipment processing.

[0084] Thus, in this embodiment, even if any major component Pi is customized to a component other than the standard one according to the specifications of the item inspection device 10, the user can easily and reliably identify consumables that are worn out / deteriorating or other components that need to be replaced, thereby reliably preventing incorrect orders. As a result, an item inspection device, its maintenance management method, and its maintenance management system that can respond quickly and accurately to the user's maintenance requests can be provided.

[0085] In addition, in one of the aforementioned embodiments, the main components that are the objects of maintenance may be, for example, the conveyor belt or roller used in the item inspection device 10, the conveyor drive motor, other installations of different categories, components used in the sorting unit 50 or its motion control unit 55, etc., but may also include peripheral components such as conveyors that are extended and arranged side by side.

[0086] Furthermore, in the event of deterioration of large functional components such as the X-ray tube 32 or X-ray detector 33 of the item inspection device 10, it can be set to a state of no settlement or temporary settlement only when a maintenance request is made. If it is clear that the component needs to be replaced based on the deterioration detection or usage time value, it can be considered as a component to be maintained.

[0087] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article inspection device 10 is configured as an X-ray inspection device that measures the transmission intensity distribution of X-rays transmitted through the article P as a predetermined physical quantity of the article P. However, it is not limited to this. It can be a metal detection device that measures the change in magnetic field when the article passes through, a measurement device that measures the load corresponding to the weight of the article when the article passes through, or an appearance inspection device based on camera images.

[0088] As described above, the present invention provides an item inspection device, its maintenance management method, and its maintenance management system that can respond quickly and accurately to user maintenance requests. The present invention is useful in the overall item inspection device, maintenance management method, and maintenance management system that can perform replacement of consumables or replacement of maintenance components that have deteriorated or malfunctioned under set conditions.

[0089] Symbol Explanation

[0090] 1-User location, 2-Information terminal (flat-panel information terminal, user location-side information terminal for maintenance component confirmation), 10-Item inspection device, 11-Display operation unit, 11a-Display mechanism, 11b-Operation input mechanism, 12-Control unit, 13-Internal database (data storage unit for maintenance management), 21-Inspection control unit, 22-Display control unit (control unit), 23-Maintenance request information generation mechanism (data generation unit for specific component identification), 24-Maintenance request information output mechanism (order information output unit), 25-Communication port, 30-Inspection unit, 31-X-ray generator, 32-X-ray tube, 33-X-ray Detector, 35-X-ray image acquisition unit, 38-item detection sensor, 40-conveyor unit, 41-front-end conveyor, 42-inspection conveyor, 42a-upward section, 43-sorting conveyor, 50-sorting unit, 51-fin arm, 55-motion control unit, 65-confirm button, 100-maintenance management system, 101-EC website (e-commerce website, communication node for support services), 102-remote maintenance service website (communication node for support services, data acquisition unit for specific component identification), 103-order information database (database for service component management, data for maintenance management) ), 111 - Picking Data Input Department (Maintenance Management Data Input Department), 150 - Logistics System (Shipping Decision Department), Cd - QR Code, Dpx - Item Image, Idpi - Component Data (Component Order Information, Maintenance Request Information), Im - Item Number (Indicating the Item Number of the Item to be Maintained), Imi - Specific Item Number (Any Item Number to be Selected), Iod - Order Acceptance Information, Lpk - Maintenance Management Data (Picking Data), Lx - X-ray Detection Signal, M1, M2 - Motor (Conveyor Drive Motor), Mnb - Equipment Number (Manufacturing Number, Device Identification Information), Npi - Component Identification Code (Product Code) Item number, data for identifying specific components), P - Item, Pi - Any component item (specific component item), P1 - Conveyor belt (main component, maintenance object item), P2 - Drive roller (main component, maintenance object item), P3 - Driven roller (main component, maintenance object item), P4 - Tensioner roller (main component, maintenance object item), P5 - Motor (conveyor drive motor, main component, maintenance object item), P6 - Filter (main component, maintenance object item), P7 - Grease, P8 - Key, P9 - Screwdriver, P10 - Change item (currently not installed maintenance object item), RJ - Sorting command signal, Vf - Sorting drive actuator.

Claims

1. An article inspection device that measures a specified physical quantity of an article and inspects the quality status of the article based on the measured value of the physical quantity, the article inspection device being characterized by comprising: Display operation unit (11); The maintenance management data storage unit (13) associates and stores maintenance management data (Lpk) containing component identification codes of multiple main components (P1 to P9) constituting the item inspection device and subject to maintenance with device identification information, i.e., equipment number (Mnb), from the shipment from the manufacturer; and When the control unit (12) requests the display output of the maintenance management data, it selectably displays and outputs the plurality of main components as actually installed maintenance objects (P1 to P9) that are associated with the device number, based on the maintenance management data stored in the maintenance management data storage unit.

2. The article inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit has: The maintenance request information generation mechanism (23) generates maintenance request information (Idpi) associated with the device number using the component identification code (Npi) of the selected major component (Pi) displayed in the output of the display operation unit; and The maintenance request information output mechanism (24) sends and outputs maintenance request information associated with the device number from the communication port (25) that is available for maintenance communication.

3. The article inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The maintenance and management data storage unit can read out the picking data (Lpk) used to pick the plurality of main components when assembling the device in the manufacturing plant, and store it as maintenance and management data (Lpk) for the plurality of main components, and store it as read-only information.

4. The article inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit connects the maintenance request information output mechanism to the support service communication node of the manufacturing plant via the communication port, and sends and outputs the maintenance request information (Idpi) associated with the device number for the selected major component among the plurality of major components to the support service communication node through the maintenance request information output mechanism.

5. The article inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, As a defined physical quantity of the article, the distribution of X-ray transmittance irradiating the transported article is measured, and the quality status of the article is checked based on the distribution of transmittance.

6. The article inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The maintenance and management data storage unit can read out the picking data (Lpk) used to pick the plurality of main components when assembling the device in the manufacturing plant, and store it as maintenance and management data (Lpk) for the plurality of main components, and store it as read-only information.

7. The article inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, As a defined physical quantity of the article, the distribution of X-ray transmittance irradiating the transported article is measured, and the quality status of the article is checked based on the distribution of transmittance.

8. A maintenance and management method for an item inspection device, comprising maintaining and managing the item inspection device, wherein the item inspection device measures a specified physical quantity of an item and checks the quality status of the item based on the measured value of the physical quantity, the maintenance and management method for the item inspection device being characterized by comprising: The maintenance and management data storage step (S11) associates maintenance and management data of multiple main components assembled in the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device with device identification information, i.e., equipment number, of the shipped items from the manufacturing plant, and stores it in a non-volatile memory provided inside the item inspection device. In the specific component identification data generation step (S12), when an operation input is made to select a specific major component from the plurality of major components within the item inspection device as a maintenance target item, specific component identification data is generated based on the maintenance management data associated with the device number and stored in the non-volatile memory in the maintenance management data storage step; and In the order information output step (S13), the component order information (Idpi) using the specific component identification data and the device number associated with the maintenance management data is sent from the item inspection device and output to the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side.

9. The maintenance and management method for the item inspection device according to claim 8, characterized in that, include: In the order information generation step (S14), when the component order information is received via the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, the device number and the specific component identification data associated with that device number are obtained. When the obtained device number and the specific component identification data are included in the service device number and service component identification data stored in the service component management database set on the manufacturing plant side, order information (IOD) corresponding to the component order information is generated; and In the shipment decision step (S15), based on the device number and the specific component identification data contained in the order information, a decision is made to ship a maintenance component of the same specifications as the specific maintenance component equipped on the item inspection device, as determined by the device number.

10. A maintenance and management system for an item inspection device, comprising maintaining and managing the item inspection device, wherein the item inspection device measures a specified physical quantity of an item and checks the quality status of the item based on the measured value of the physical quantity, the maintenance and management system for the item inspection device being characterized in that it includes: The maintenance management data input unit (111) stores maintenance management data of multiple main components assembled at the manufacturing plant of the item inspection device as maintenance management data associated with the device identification information, i.e., the equipment number, of the shipped products from the manufacturing plant in a non-volatile memory within the item inspection device and in a maintenance management database on the manufacturing plant side. The specific component identification data generation unit (23) generates specific component identification data that can uniquely identify the specific main component selected as the maintenance object when an operation input is made on the item inspection device side to select a specific main component among the plurality of main components as the maintenance object; based on the maintenance management data associated with and stored with the device number. The order information output unit (24) sends and outputs the component order information, which uses the specific component identification data and the device number associated with the maintenance management data, from the item inspection device to the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side. The order information generation unit (102) receives the component order information through the support service communication node on the manufacturing plant side, obtains the device number and the specific component identification data associated with the device number, and generates order information corresponding to the component order information when the obtained device number and the specific component identification data are included in the service device number and service component identification data stored in the service component management database set on the manufacturing plant side. and The shipment decision unit (150) determines, based on the device number and the specific component identification data contained in the order information, the shipment of a maintenance component of the same specifications as the specific maintenance component equipped on the item inspection device, as determined by the device number.

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