TESTING FACILITY FOR A MULTIPLE OF INDIVIDUAL TEST OBJECTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a testing system for a plurality of test objects that can be separated, comprising a feed device for the plurality of test objects, a conveyor device for the plurality of test objects, a testing unit, and an ejection device, wherein the feed device is designed and arranged such that the plurality of test objects can be fed by means of the feed device to a feed position of the conveyor device, wherein the conveyor device has a plurality of receptacles, wherein each of the receptacles is designed and arranged such that exactly one test object from the plurality of test objects can be conveyed along a conveying path in the receptacle, and that in each case two test objects from the plurality of test objects have a distance along the conveying path that is predetermined by the plurality of receptacles,wherein the inspection unit is arranged at a inspection position on the conveyor path, and wherein the ejection device is arranged on the conveyor path behind the inspection unit and is designed such that the plurality of inspection objects can be ejected from the plurality of receptacles of the conveyor device by means of the ejection device.

[0002] State of the art testing systems for testing separable test objects produced in large quantities for a wide variety of applications in industrial quality control are known. The aim here is to test a large number of test objects completely in the shortest possible time, i.e. as part of a 100% test. For this purpose, the test objects, which are initially in the form of a bulk material, must first be separated and then arranged in such a way that each of the test objects can be tested individually and reproducibly. For this purpose, state of the art testing systems for separable test objects are known which have a conveyor device in the form of a turntable. The turntable has a plurality of slot-shaped receptacles along its outer circumference, into each of which a test object is guided.

[0003] Such testing systems cannot be used flexibly for a variety of testing applications. Furthermore, testing systems with a conveyor system in the form of a turntable have limitations in terms of testing accuracy.

[0004] DE 43 29 193 A1 discloses a conveyor belt divided into compartments by transverse walls perpendicular to the direction of movement and closed on one side by lateral partitions. The belt is tilted or a fan is arranged so that the bodies are pressed against the lateral partitions. The measuring heads are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the lateral partitions and consist of split fiber optic bundles with a lens connected upstream. The device can be used, for example, for the pure separation of plastic waste from household waste.

[0005] US 2020 / 101498 A1 discloses an inspection system for use with a conveyor device including carrier rods. Each carrier rod transports pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system comprises at least one camera unit for detecting a predetermined property of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, located downstream of the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped articles from the carrier rod(s) depending on whether the property is detected by the at least one camera unit. The controller is connected to the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller delivers a signal to the removal unit according to the detected characteristic curve. The removal unit comprises a rotatable ejection drum with extended vacuum nozzles along its length, which correspond to the number of articles transported in each carrier rod.Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes items from the support bars by suction.

[0006] EP 0 230 583 A2 discloses an inspection system with multiple conveyor rollers of separators rotated by a fruit alignment belt, causing the fruit carried thereon to rotate according to the movement of the belt, so that the rotation axes of the fruit, typically lemons, are aligned along their stem axes or substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the separators. Downstream, the rollers contact a rotating, rotation-accelerating belt to significantly increase the rotation speed of the rollers and the fruit aligned thereon, allowing optical scanning devices to scan a much larger percentage of the fruit's surface area.

[0007] US 2008 / 117581 A1 discloses a laptop computer with a display housing. The display housing serves to accommodate the display panel. The display housing has an opening for optionally attaching a replaceable camera module or a replaceable cover module.

[0008] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide a testing system that offers a high degree of flexibility. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a testing system that enables high testing accuracy.

[0009] At least one of the aforementioned objects is achieved by a testing system according to independent claim 1 of the present application.

[0010] According to the invention, a testing system is provided for a plurality of test objects that can be separated, comprising a feed device for the plurality of test objects, a conveyor device for the plurality of test objects, a testing unit, and an ejection device, wherein the feed device is designed and arranged such that the plurality of test objects can be fed by means of the feed device to a feed position of the conveyor device, wherein the conveyor device has a plurality of receptacles, each of the receptacles is designed and arranged such that in the receptacle exactly one test object from the plurality of test objects can be conveyed along a conveying path, and that in each case two test objects from the plurality of test objects have a distance along the conveying path that is predetermined by the plurality of receptacles,wherein the testing unit is arranged at a testing position on the conveyor path, wherein the ejection device is arranged on the conveyor path behind the testing unit and is designed such that the plurality of test objects can be ejected from the plurality of receptacles of the conveyor device by means of the ejection device, wherein the conveyor device is designed such that the conveyor path has at least one straight section and the testing position is arranged on the at least one straight section, wherein the testing unit has a housing with a predetermined installation space, wherein the housing is detachably connectable to the conveyor device so that the testing unit can be exchanged for another testing unit, and wherein the housing has a predetermined width and wherein the straight section of the conveyor path is an integer multiple of the width so that a plurality of testing units with the same width can be connected to the conveyor device.

[0011] What is required for the present invention is that, unlike conveyor devices in the form of turntables, the conveyor path has at least one straight section, with the test position of the test unit being arranged on this straight section. By designing the conveyor path as at least partially straight, a plurality of test units can be arranged along the straight section of the conveyor path. Depending on requirements, the length of the straight section can be easily varied, allowing more or fewer test units to be placed there. In contrast, in the prior art, changing the test section generally requires completely replacing the turntable with one with a different radius.

[0012] In addition, the test section of a conveyor system in the form of a turntable is curved. For the purposes of the present invention, the test section refers to the distance over which the test object moves while being detected by a sensor of a test unit.

[0013] Therefore, errors resulting from the curved test section must be eliminated from the measurement results in the current technology. This is not necessary with a linear or straight test section.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyor device is designed such that the plurality of receptacles are guided along a closed movement path, with the conveying path occupying part of the movement path. This allows the conveyor device to operate continuously, since the receptacles always return to their original location after one revolution.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the movement path of the plurality of receptacles comprises two straight sections, with at least one of the straight sections being part of the conveying path. In one embodiment of the invention, both straight sections are part of the conveying path. In one embodiment, the two straight sections of the movement path are arranged opposite one another.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the testing system has two testing units, wherein the testing units are arranged at two testing positions along the conveyor path, wherein the conveyor path has two straight sections, and wherein a first of the two testing positions is arranged at a first of the two straight sections, and wherein a second of the two testing positions is arranged at a second of the two straight sections. The arrangement with two straight sections of the conveyor path, wherein a testing unit is provided at each of the straight sections, has the advantage of being space-saving compared to an arrangement in which two testing units are arranged at a single straight and correspondingly extended section of the conveyor path.

[0017] It is understood that in an embodiment of the invention in which the conveyor device has a closed movement path with two straight sections, the movement path is designed symmetrically, preferably mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the straight sections of the movement path and preferably rotationally symmetrically with a twofold rotational symmetry.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of receptacles for the individual test objects are designed such that a cylindrical safety component can be accommodated therein. Examples of such a cylindrical safety component are a screw, a pin, or a bolt.

[0019] Various implementations are possible for the design of the individual receptacles. In one embodiment of the invention, each receptacle is designed in the form of a magnetic nest. A permanent magnet is preferably used to hold the respective test object in the receptacle.

[0020] In one embodiment, the receptacle serves to hold or receive a cylindrical safety component with a head.

[0021] In one embodiment, the holder comprises a support surface lying in one plane and an opening in the support surface, wherein the opening has an opening on one side of the support surface so that a single test object can be inserted through the opening into the opening. In one embodiment, such a holder is designed as a slot or elongated hole, wherein the slot is open on one side of the support surface so that the test object can be inserted into the opening of the holder from there.

[0022] In particular, such an embodiment of a receptacle is suitable for receiving a cylindrical security component with a head. The cylindrical section of the security component is inserted through the opening into the perforation in the support surface. The underside of the head of the security component rests on the support surface of the receptacle.

[0023] It is understood that a plurality of receptacles can be provided in a single support surface.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of receptacles has a support surface lying in a plane and an opening in the support surface, wherein the opening has an opening on one side of the support surface so that a test object from the plurality of test objects can be inserted through the opening into the opening, wherein the support surface is movable from a first position into a second position.

[0025] The ability to move the carrier surface from a first position to a second position makes it possible, depending on the arrangement, to easily eject the test object from the holder or to enable a less error-prone feeding of the respective test object into the holder.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the first position of the support surface is determined by the support surface extending substantially horizontally. In this first position of the support surface, the test object is then stably held in the holder.

[0027] If the support surface is now moved from the first position to a second, non-horizontal position so that the test object moves towards the opening, the test object will pass through the opening driven by gravity and fall out of the holder.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the support surface is pivotable about a pivot axis from the first position into the second position, wherein the pivot axis is parallel to a direction of movement of the receptacle along the conveying path.

[0029] In addition, the mobility of the support surface from the first layer to the second layer in one embodiment enables a reduction in the susceptibility to faults when feeding test objects into the receptacles of the conveyor device.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the carrier surface is transparent so that a testing unit can completely capture the respective test object from only one side of the carrier surface.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the feed device has a feed slope, wherein the feed slope is designed and arranged such that, during operation of the testing system, the plurality of test objects slide, preferably driven by gravity, over the feed slope in the direction of the plurality of receptacles at the feed position, wherein the support surface in the second position is parallel to a transfer section of the feed surface. In this way, the test objects are prevented from hitting or getting stuck on a height offset between the transfer section of the feed slope and the support surface. This applies in particular if, in one embodiment of the invention, the transfer section of the feed slope is arranged higher than the support surface in its second position.In one embodiment of the invention, the support surface in the second layer and the transfer section of the feed slope lie in one plane, so there is no offset between the two surfaces. In this way, the surfaces on which the test objects slide, on the one hand on the feed surface and on the support surface, are aligned.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyor device has a stationary actuating cam at the feed position, wherein the receptacle and the actuating cam are designed and arranged such that the actuating cam moves the support surface from the first position to the second position when the receptacle reaches the feed position.

[0033] Through the engagement between the holder and the actuating cam, a positive guide of the holder with the support surface can be provided in a simple manner in order to effect the movement of the support surface from the first position to the second position.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyor device comprises a guide rail and a plurality of carriages guided along the guide rails, each of the carriages supporting at least one of the plurality of receptacles. Such an implementation of the conveyor device with one or more guide rails and a plurality of carriages guided along the guide rails allows for a variable length of the conveyor device. Furthermore, the carriages are guided precisely and reproducibly along the guide rail by means of the receptacles.

[0035] While in one embodiment a single carriage has exactly one receptacle for exactly one test object, in another embodiment a carriage has a plurality of receptacles, each of which holds exactly one test object.

[0036] According to the invention, the test unit comprises a housing with a predetermined installation space, wherein the housing is detachably connectable to the conveyor device, so that the test unit can be replaced with another test unit. In particular, in one embodiment, the housing of the test unit can be interchangeably accommodated in or at a test station of the test system on the conveyor device.

[0037] In addition, the housing has a predetermined width, with the straight section of the conveyor path being an integer multiple of the width, so that a plurality of test units with the same width can be connected to the conveyor device.

[0038] In this way, the testing system can be constructed in a modular manner, whereby, depending on the application, one or more testing units with their housings can be connected to the conveyor system and whereby the individual testing units can be exchanged.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing unit comprises at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is arranged such that it detects a property of the plurality of test objects at the test position. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor is selected from a group consisting of an eddy current sensor, a probe, a conductivity sensor, and a camera, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the test unit is designed to carry out a test of the test object which is selected from a group consisting of a crack test, for example a test for cracks that arise as a result of the pressing process across the entire contour of the screw at rotational planes, a structural test, for example a test for defects in the material composition, for the inclusion of foreign material or air inclusions or a differentiation between hardened and unhardened parts, an inner / outer contour test, in particular of the head of a cylindrical safety component, for example by mechanical testing for screwability and penetration depth or by evaluation via a camera system, a mechanical test for roundness, in particular of a head of a cylindrical safety component, a test for pressing defects using a contour probe, a straightness test, for example the test of the straightness of the shaft of a cylindrical safety component based on a measurement in three planes, an automated visual inspection with a camera,for example, on the head of a cylindrical safety component from above, on the head of a cylindrical safety component from below, in particular for checking a sealing surface for contamination and impact marks, on the head of a cylindrical safety component from the side, in particular for checking the dimensions of the head, or from the side of the shaft, in particular for checking the dimensions of the shaft, a visual inspection for the presence / absence of contours, labels, coatings and contamination, impact marks, a visual inspection of the dimensions of various contours of the test object, an automated all-round visual inspection with a camera (360° camera inspection), a coating inspection, for example the inspection of an adhesive coating, or a combination thereof.

[0041] Such measuring methods are suitable for quantitatively determining the quality of the properties of a test object, in particular a test object made of metal.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises, in addition to the at least one testing unit, a processing device for further processing or handling the test object. Examples of such a processing device are an assembly device, for example for pressing or screwing in or out additional components onto the test object, in particular with simultaneous torque and position control, and a coating device, for example for applying a coating, in particular a lubricant or a protective coating, to a cylindrical safety component.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor device comprises at least one guide rail and a plurality of carriages guided on the at least one guide rail, wherein each of the plurality of carriages carries at least one of the plurality of receptacles.

[0044] The conveyor system's design, which includes a guide rail and a plurality of carriages mounted on the guide rail, allows the length of the conveyor path to be easily varied. The guide rail can be extended by adding additional segments or shortened by removing segments, with the number of carriages mounted on the guide rail also being varied.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the conveyor device has a plurality of segments, with the straight section of the conveyor path having an integer multiple of segments. With such a configuration, the length of the straight section can be flexibly adapted to the testing task; in particular, different numbers of testing units can be accommodated on the straight section.

[0046] In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of receptacles are guided along a closed movement path, wherein the movement path has two straight sections and two curved sections, each providing a 180° deflection. Such an embodiment has the advantage that two segments with curved sections of the movement path need to be provided for each system, and a flexible number of segments, each with two straight sections of the movement path, can be provided depending on the testing task for which the testing system is intended.

[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system further comprises a testing station at the testing position of the testing system, a data transmission device, a first data interface and an identifier, wherein the testing unit comprises a test controller with a readout device and a second data interface connected to the test controller, wherein the testing station is designed such that the testing unit is exchangeably connected to the testing station, wherein the second data interface for data exchange is detachably connected to the first data interface of the testing system, wherein the data transmission device for information transmission is effectively connected at least to the ejection device and via the first data interface and the second data interface to the testing unit, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the testing position, wherein the identifier is encoded such thatthat the identifier can be read out by the test unit when the test unit is inserted into the test station, wherein the read-out device is configured such that the identifier can be read out during operation of the test system with the read-out device, and wherein the test control is configured such that the test control reads out the identifier by means of the read-out device when the test unit is inserted into the test station.

[0048] The basic idea of ​​this embodiment of the present invention is to provide the test units in the form of interchangeable modules and to provide the necessary data processing structure. The respective test unit can be interchangeably inserted into the test system at the test station. In this way, a test unit with a first functionality can be exchanged for a test unit with a second functionality. The same test system can then be used for different testing tasks. The solution according to the invention also makes it possible to provide a plurality of test stations at a plurality of test positions in a test system. By exchanging one or more of the plurality of test units or by changing the order of the plurality of test units, it is then possible to implement freely configurable test sequences in one and the same test system.

[0049] According to this embodiment, when a test unit is inserted into a test station of the test system, it reads the identifier that uniquely identifies the test position. This preferably happens automatically, and the readout process does not need to be separately initiated by an operator. After reading the identifier, the test unit knows which test station and thus which test position of the existing test system it is located in. This is the key to a number of possible configurations of a flexible test system.

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises a plurality of testing stations at a plurality of test positions along the conveyor path in the conveying direction behind the feed position. In such an embodiment, the testing system has a plurality of identifiers, each of which uniquely identifies exactly one test position of a testing station, wherein each identifier is encoded such that the respective identifier can be automatically read by the testing unit when a testing unit is inserted into the respective testing station.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises a plurality of feed devices at a plurality of feed positions. This makes it possible to feed different types or test objects to the same test line. In particular, in addition to the actual test objects from ongoing production, defective parts can be fed in at definable times to subject the system to tolerance measurement or testing. In one embodiment, a plurality of feed devices also enables the implementation of a plurality of test lines in the same testing system with only one conveyor device.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises a plurality of ejection devices at a plurality of ejection positions. A plurality of ejection devices makes it possible to sort the test objects based on the test results upon ejection from the testing system.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, the identifier is encoded in an identification device arranged at the test station and readable by the test unit.

[0054] A possible example of such an identification device is an RFID chip, which can be read with an RFID reader of the testing unit, or a QR code, which can be read with a QR code reader of the testing unit.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, the identification device is formed by a connector arranged at the test station. In one embodiment, the connector preferably has a plurality of contact pins or contact sockets, wherein the arrangement of the contact pins or contact sockets present and / or connected to a connecting line encodes the identification.

[0056] For example, in one embodiment, the connector has an arrangement of nxm contact sockets, where n and m denote integers. However, only a characteristic pattern of these nxm sockets is provided with a connecting cable. By detecting which contact sockets are contacted, the test unit can identify the configuration pattern of the connector's contacts and thus clearly identify the test station at which the test unit is installed.

[0057] One way to encode the identifier for the test position is to use elements of the first data interface to encode the identifier.

[0058] It is therefore understood that, in one embodiment, such a connector arranged at the test station simultaneously also forms a component of the first data interface. Data is then transferred from the test system to the test unit and vice versa via this connector of the first data interface. Therefore, in one embodiment, the first data interface comprises a connector arranged at the test station, wherein the connector of the first data interface is connectable to a complementary connector of the test unit.

[0059] In a further embodiment, the data transmission device is a TCP / IP data network. In one embodiment, the first data interface comprises a switch with a unique IP address or with a plurality of ports, each with a unique IP address. In one embodiment, such a switch is assigned to exactly one test station, so that its IP address forms the identifier of the test position of this test station. In an alternative embodiment, each port of a switch with its own IP address is assigned to exactly one test station. It is understood that in an embodiment with a plurality of test stations, each test station is assigned exactly one switch or exactly one port of a switch with a unique IP address.If the test unit is connected to such a switch in such an embodiment, the test unit reads the IP address and thus receives information about the test position of the test station into which it was inserted.

[0060] In one embodiment of the invention, the identifier is thus encoded as the IP address of the first data interface.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention, the first data interface is a wireless interface, for example, a WLAN or Bluetooth interface. Since in such an embodiment, a connector may not be provided at the respective test station, the identifier is encoded, for example, in an RFID chip or a QR code at the test station.

[0062] A data transmission device within the meaning of this application comprises any system suitable for data transmission between the elements of the test system connected to the data transmission device, which enables the exchange of data or information between the elements connected to the data transmission device. Examples of such a data transmission device are a bus and an IP-based data network.

[0063] The data transmission device of the testing system according to the invention is connected at least to the ejection device and the first data interface, so that in this minimal configuration it is possible to transmit an ejection command from the testing unit, which is connectable to the first data interface, to the ejection device.

[0064] In a further embodiment, not only can one or more test units be interchangeably and freely configured at the test stations, but the same modular concept is also implemented for the ejection device and / or the feeding device.

[0065] Therefore, in one embodiment, the testing system further comprises an ejection location and an identifier that uniquely identifies the ejection position. The ejection location is designed such that the ejection device is replaceably inserted into the ejection location, wherein a first data interface is provided at the ejection location, which is connected to a second data interface of the ejection device, wherein the data transmission device for transmitting information is effectively connected to the ejection device via the first data interface and the second data interface, wherein the identifier is encoded such that the identifier can be read by the ejection device when the ejection device is inserted into the ejection location, and wherein the ejection device has a reading device for reading the identifier.

[0066] It is understood that the first and second data interfaces, the identifier and the readout direction for the ejection location or the ejection device can be designed in the same way as previously described for the test location and the test unit.

[0067] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises a system controller connected to the data transmission device. In one embodiment, the system controller is a computer.

[0068] In one embodiment, such a system controller performs exclusively administrative tasks for the operation of the testing system, but not the control of the testing and subsequent sorting of the test objects. In one embodiment of the invention, the system controller is designed such that it does not generate any ejection commands that could trigger the ejection of a test object at the ejection device.

[0069] In one embodiment of the invention, the system control takes over the control of the conveyor device, for example setting or regulating the speed at which the plurality of test objects are moved on the conveyor path.

[0070] In a further embodiment of the invention, the system control serves to detect and / or collect error messages from the individual devices of the test system and / or to signal such errors to an operator.

[0071] A test unit that can be inserted into a test station of a test system is designed as follows in one embodiment. The test unit has a test controller and a second data interface connected to the test controller, wherein the second data interface is connectable to a first data interface of the test system for data exchange, wherein the test controller comprises a readout device, wherein the readout device is configured such that, during operation of the test system, it reads out an identifier that uniquely identifies a test position of the test station of the test system, and wherein the test controller is configured such that the test controller reads out the identifier when the test unit is inserted into the test station. The test unit can comprise all of the features optionally described herein, even if they are presented in combination only with the test system.

[0072] In one embodiment of the invention, the test controller is configured to read the identifier automatically, i.e., without the need for an operator to initiate the readout process. The readout is initiated automatically, in particular, when the test unit is inserted into the test station.

[0073] In one embodiment of the invention, the reading device comprises, in addition to logical elements, for example implemented as software, also hardware elements, such as an RFID reader or a connector complementary to the connector of the test system, which is connected to the rest of the test control system via lines.

[0074] In one embodiment, the test controller is a computer. It is crucial that the test controller is a separate unit from the system control system, which remains in the test unit when the test unit is removed from the test station.

[0075] In one embodiment of the invention, the test controller is set up such that, during operation of the test system, the test controller calculates, using the test position encoded in the identifier, a duration that a test object requires from detection by the test unit at the test position until it reaches the ejection position, and the test controller, during operation of the test system, issues an ejection command for the ejection device and sends it to the ejection device via the first and second data interfaces and via the data transmission device, so that a test object detected by the test unit is ejected by the ejection device when it reaches the ejection position.

[0076] This inventive design of the test control system of the test unit enables the entire test task, from the detection of the respective test object to its ejection at the designated location, to be carried out by the test control system, which is integrated into the test unit. The system control system itself, to the extent that it is required at all, then only assumes coordinating and administrative tasks.

[0077] In one embodiment, the time required for a test object to travel from its detection by the test unit at the test position until it reaches the ejection position is described by an integer multiple of a processing cycle of the test system. In one embodiment, such a processing cycle is defined as the advance of the conveyor by exactly one test object picked up by the conveyor or by exactly one pickup of the conveyor for a test object. In this way, the time required for a test object to travel from its detection by the test unit at the test position until it reaches the ejection position can be calculated for the test control system, even if there are interruptions in the conveying of the test system.

[0078] A test unit inserted into a test station has information about its location within the respective test system based on the test station's unique identifier. It decides at which ejection position a tested test object should be ejected and transmits the ejection command directly to the respective ejection device, without the need for the system control system.

[0079] In one embodiment of the invention, the following scenario is conceivable. A testing system is set up with a predefined number of test stations, a feed device, and a predefined number of ejection devices. This basic configuration is stored for each test unit to be used with this testing system. When inserting such a preconfigured test unit, the test unit then knows, based on reading the identifier of the respective test station, at which test position in the respective testing system it is inserted, and can then independently perform all testing tasks.

[0080] For example, the inspection unit is pre-programmed to have two ejection devices at two different ejection positions: one ejection device for defective test objects and one ejection device for test objects that have successfully passed the test. After a test object has been detected, the inspection control system of the inspection unit ensures that the respective test object is ejected at the correct ejection position without the need for a system control system.

[0081] In one embodiment of the invention, the system controller is configured such that, during operation of the system, it transmits at least one operating parameter of the test system to the test controller of the test unit. In this way, preconfiguration of the test units can be eliminated in one embodiment.

[0082] In one embodiment, the transmitted operating parameter includes a description of the configuration of the test system. In one embodiment of the invention, the operating parameter includes one or more ejection positions.

[0083] In one embodiment, the test unit can then, after reading the identification of the test position of the test station into which it was inserted, independently derive all the information it requires to control the ejection of the respective test objects.

[0084] In one embodiment of the invention, an operating parameter transmitted from the test system to the test control is used to calculate the time required by a test object from detection by the test unit at the test position until it reaches the ejection position.

[0085] Another example of an operating parameter within the meaning of the present application is the conveying speed of the conveying device.

[0086] In one embodiment of the invention, the test controller is designed to store a plurality of preconfigurations, allowing a single test unit to be used flexibly in a plurality of test systems. An operator can then select a preconfiguration when inserting the test unit into the test system, or the preconfiguration can be selected automatically.

[0087] In one embodiment of the invention, the identifier additionally comprises unique information about the respective test system and / or about the configuration of the test system and / or about the ejection positions of the test system.

[0088] In one embodiment of the invention, the combination of a testing system comprises several testing stations at which a plurality of testing units are accommodated.

[0089] In one embodiment, the test controllers of the plurality of test units are designed such that the test units can also exchange data with each other. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency and safety of the test system with a plurality of test units.

[0090] In one embodiment of the invention, a first inspection unit in the conveying direction of the conveyor signals a second inspection unit in the conveying direction when the first inspection unit has detected a defective test object, so that the second inspection unit no longer tests this part. In another embodiment, the first inspection unit signals the second inspection unit when it has detected an oversized test object. The second inspection unit then retracts a probe, for example, or takes another measure to prevent damage to the second inspection unit.

[0091] In one embodiment of the invention, the test control of the test unit is designed such that it ejects a preselected number of test objects at a predefined ejection position so that they are subjected to a separate tolerance measurement.

[0092] In one embodiment, the inspection control system is configured to also control the feed device. In one embodiment of the invention, the inspection system comprises two feed devices at two feed positions. The inspection control system is configured such that the feed positions feed reference parts into the inspection system at regular or random intervals. After being detected by the inspection unit, these reference parts are always ejected from the inspection system at the same ejection position so that they can be fed back into the system at a later time.

[0093] In one embodiment of the invention, the test control of the test unit is designed such that it ejects a preselected number of test objects at a predefined ejection position in order to subject these ejected test objects to a sample measurement.

[0094] In one embodiment of the invention, the testing system is designed to provide a timed feed of the conveyor device. In such an embodiment, the feed of the conveyor device occurs intermittently, with the duration of the interruptions in the feed depending, for example, on how long a processing step in a processing device lasts or how much time is required to complete a test in a test unit. In particular, it is possible to design the testing system to enable work cycles of variable length.

[0095] While in one embodiment of the invention the distance between the individual receptacles is fixed, the configuration of the receptacles can be varied. In particular, the feeder can be controlled such that only every xth receptacle is occupied by a test object. In this way, the testing system can be adapted to different dimensions of test objects through its control system.

[0096] In one embodiment, the assignment of the recordings is stored as the basic configuration of the test system in the test control system.

[0097] In a further embodiment, the occupancy of the recordings is transferred as an operating parameter from the system control to the respective test control.

[0098] In a further embodiment, the testing unit has a detection device connected to the test control system for detecting a designated position on each carriage of the conveyor system. The designated position on the respective carriage is, for example, its beginning. In one embodiment, the detection device is a light barrier. Such an embodiment makes it possible to determine or calibrate the working cycle of the testing system using the test control system. The working cycle, which then forms the basis for further control of the testing system, in particular the ejection commands, is independent of any mechanical play in the conveyor system.If, for example, the detection device detects the start of a carriage, it is aware that the conveyor has been advanced by a number of work cycles since the previously detected carriage, which is equal to the number of pickups for the test objects on the carriage.

[0099] Further advantages, features, and possible applications of the present invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment and the accompanying figures. In the figures, identical elements are designated by identical reference numerals. Figure 1 is a partially broken away isometric view of a testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an isometric view of the conveyor system from the testing system of Figure 1 . Figure 3 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the conveyor device of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an isometric view of a trolley of the conveyor device from Figures 2 and 3. Figure 5 is a side view of the trolley from Figure 4 with the feeding device. Figure 6 is an isometric view of a testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is an isometric view of a testing system according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a testing system of the Figures 1 to 5 descriptive block diagram.

[0100] An implementation of the test system according to the invention will now be described using an example. Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the entire test facility. This figure will be used repeatedly to describe the operation of the facility.

[0101] The testing system 1 is used to test a plurality of screws as test objects within the meaning of this application. Screws are delivered as bulk material and fed to the test via a feed device 2. In addition to the feed device 2, the testing system 1 has a conveyor device 3, an ejection device (not shown in the figure), and two testing units 4, 5.

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, the feeding device 2 is driven by gravity, ie the individual screws slide due to their mass over a feed slope 6 in the direction of the conveyor device 3. This is shown in the side view from Figure 5shown. In the feed device 2, the screws are already lined up, but still in direct contact with each other, so they are not yet separated. The screws hang with their heads or the surface on the underside of the screw heads on the feed slope 6. The conveyor device 3 always picks up exactly one screw from the feed device 2 and conveys it along a conveyor path at a distance from the preceding screw and the following screw. The conveyor path is described in detail below.

[0103] For the purposes of the present application, the path taken by the screws between the feed position 7, where the feed device 2 is located, and the ejection device is referred to as the conveying path. The path along which the receptacles for the individual screws move in the conveying device 3 as a whole is referred to as the movement path.

[0104] The conveyor system 3 comprises a rail element 8 and a plurality of carriages 9 guided along this rail element 8. The movement path of the receptacles for the screws is essentially O-shaped with two straight, opposing sections 10, 11 and two curved sections 12, 13, each of which deflects the movement path of the carriages by 180°. The two inspection units 4, 5 are arranged on the straight section 10 of the movement path and thus the conveying path of the screws. The arrangement of the inspection units along the straight section of the conveying path has two advantages, which are explained in more detail below.

[0105] Each of the two test units 4, 5 has a sensor 14, 15. Sensor 14 of the first test unit 4 is a CCD camera for visual inspection of the individual screws. In contrast, sensor 15 of the second test unit 5 is an eddy current measuring head for detecting cracks in the individual screws. Since the two test units 4, 5 are arranged along the straight section 10 of the conveyor path, the distance of the individual test objects from the respective sensor 14, 15 does not change along the measuring section, which lies on the straight section of the conveyor path. Therefore, artifacts that occur due to a curved measuring section caused by a changing distance between the test object and the sensor do not need to be calculated out.

[0106] The conveyor device 3 is modularly constructed from a plurality of detachably and replaceably connected segments. The conveyor device 3 shown consists of two head-end segments 16, which carry the curved sections of the rail element 8. The curved sections of the rail element 8 cause a deflection of 180° each. Between these two head-end segments 16, two straight segments 17 are provided, each carrying two opposing, straight rail sections. The straight segments 17 of the conveyor device can be removed from or inserted into the test system 1 in a few simple steps. In this way, the overall length of the test system, in particular the length of the straight sections of the conveyor path, can be adapted on-site to the respective testing task.Depending on the length of the straight section of the conveyor path, more or fewer test units 4, 5 can be accommodated on the straight conveyor path and very different test tasks can be carried out.

[0107] Since the two segments 17 each have two oppositely arranged straight rail sections, when a straight segment 17 is added, test units can be accommodated on the opposite sides.

[0108] One of the curved segments 16 also carries a drive motor 18 for the carriages 9 of the conveyor system 1. The individual carriages 9 are driven by a toothed belt guided over two toothed belt pulleys 19, 20. Each of the carriages 9 is suspended in the toothed belt.

[0109] Each of the carriages 9 is guided on the rail element 8 by means of a roller 26. The rail element 8 extends between two of the four rollers 26.

[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, as in Figure 4shown, each of the carriages 9 has four receptacles 21 for exactly one screw each. Each of the receptacles 21 comprises an elongated hole 23 as an opening in the sense of the present application in a support surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, all elongated holes 23 are provided in the same support surface 22. Each of the elongated holes 23 has an opening towards the edge of the support surface 22, so that the screws with their cylindrical sections can be inserted through this opening into the elongated hole 23. The undersides of the screw heads then lie on the support surface 22. During the test, ie when the screws are guided past the sensors 14, 15 of the test units 4, 5, the support surface 22 is aligned substantially horizontally, as is particularly shown in the illustration of the Figure 4 can be seen. The horizontal position of the support surface 22 is referred to in the present application as the first layer of the support surface 22.

[0111] The screws are fed to the receptacles 21 by gravity as described above and illustrated in the figure on the feed slope 6 of the feed device 2. The undercarriage 24 of the carriage with the receptacles and in particular the support surface 22 is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the upper carriage 25 with the rollers 26. The undercarriage 24 is pivoted such that the support surface 22 moves from the first position to a second position. The second position of the support surface 22 is in one of the carriages 8 in the Figures 3 and 5In this second position, the support surface 22 extends at an incline relative to the horizontal, with the inclination of the support surface 22 in the second position being adapted to the inclination of the feed slope 6 of the feed device. In this way, the screws can slide from the feed slope 6 from the screw heads onto the support surface 22 without there being a discontinuity on which the screws could get caught.

[0112] The feed is less prone to errors. The pivoting of the undercarriage 24 and thus the support surface 22 at the feed position 7 is achieved by means of an actuating cam 27, which is fixedly arranged at the feed position 7. When a carriage 9 reaches the feed position 7, the actuating cam 27 pushes the undercarriage 24 from the first position to the second position. Upon leaving the feed position, the undercarriage and thus the support surface 22 pivot back from the second position to the first position, driven by gravity. In the first, horizontal position, the test objects are tested on the test units 4, 5.

[0113] The Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the modularity of the test system 1 according to the invention. In the two Figures 6 and 7 The test system 1 shown is one and the same system in two configurations. The system was tested in the configuration of Figure 7 by an additional test unit 28 compared to the one in Figure 6shown configuration. In the configuration from Figure 6 The test system comprises the two head-end segments 16 of the conveyor and exactly two straight segments 17. On the two straight segments 17, the two are already in Figure 1 The test units 4 and 5 shown in the figure are included. In contrast, the reconfigured system from Figure 7 over three straight segments 17 of the conveyor system, so that the additional testing unit 28 is mounted on the third segment. Due to the modularity of the conveyor system 3, the testing system can be adapted to a wide variety of testing requirements.

[0114] Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a top view of the test system as Figures 1-3 In addition to the mechanical components, the block diagram schematically shows the elements for controlling test system 1.

[0115] As previously described, the individual test objects, in this case screws, are fed into a feed position 7. The testing system 1 comprises two testing units 4, 5, which are arranged at a first test station 50 and a second test station 51 on the conveyor path of the conveyor device 3. The positions 50, 51 and the design of the testing units 4, 5 determine the respective test positions 52, 53. The actual testing, i.e., the detection of the test objects, takes place at these test positions. The test positions are located behind the feed position 7, viewed in the conveying direction 54.

[0116] As explained above, the test system 1 has two ejection devices 55, 56, each arranged at an ejection position 57, 58.

[0117] The two test units 4, 5 each have a test controller 59 and a data interface 60 in the form of a connector. This data interface 60 is referred to as the second data interface in the context of the present application. When the test units 4, 5 are mounted at the respective test station 50, 51, the connectors are plugged into complementary connectors 61 on the remaining part of the test system. These complementary connectors 61 form the first data interfaces in the context of the present application.

[0118] The first data interfaces 61 are connected to other elements of the testing system via a bus line 62. A system control unit 63, the ejection devices 55, 56, and the drive 18 of the conveyor system 3 are also connected to the bus 62.

[0119] In the embodiment shown, the system control 61 only takes over the error management and administration of the system 1. In particular, the system control 61 takes over the control of the drive motor 18, ie the specification of the conveyor speed.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiment, the system parameters, such as the speed of the test objects along the test path and the occupancy of the receptacles of the conveyor device 3, are stored in advance in the test control 59 of each test unit 4, 5. When a test unit 4, 5 is inserted for the first time at the respective test station 50, 51, the test control 59 detects at which test station 50, 51 and thus at which test position 52, 53 it is located.

[0121] For this purpose, the illustrated embodiment uses an identifier of the respective test station 50, 51, which is coded in the form of the pin assignment of the sockets of the connectors 61 of the first data interfaces.

[0122] From the test position 52, 53, the respective test control 59 calculates how long it takes for a test object to be inspected to be conveyed from the test position 52, 53 to the ejection position 57 or 58. In this way, the respective test control 59 has all the information it needs not only to perform the actual test, but also to implement the test result by ejecting the respective test object at the correct ejection position 57, 58.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, parts that have successfully passed the inspection with the two inspection units 4, 5 are ejected by the second ejection device 56 in the conveying direction 54. In contrast, parts that have failed the quality inspection are ejected by the first ejection device 55.

[0124] Assuming that the first inspection unit 5 detects a part that has failed the inspection, the inspection controller 59 issues an ejection command via the connectors 60, 61 of the first and second data interfaces and the bus 60 directly to the first ejection device 55. The ejection command is generated at a time when the inspection object has reached this first ejection device 55.

[0125] For the purposes of original disclosure, it is noted that all features as they become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings, and the claims, even if they were specifically described only in conjunction with certain other features, can be combined both individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, unless expressly excluded or technical circumstances render such combinations impossible or pointless. A comprehensive, explicit presentation of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here solely for the sake of brevity and readability of the description.

[0126] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this illustration and description are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0127] Modifications of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not exclude their combination. Reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Reference symbol

[0128] 1Test system 2Feeding device 3Conveying device 4, 5, 28Test unit 6Feeding slope 7Feeding position 8Rail element 9Carriage 10, 11Straight section 12, 13Curved section 14, 15Sensor 16Head-end segments of the conveying device 17Straight segments of the conveying device 18Drive motor 19, 20Timing belt pulley 21Receptacle 22Support surface 23Elongated hole 24Undercarriage 25Uppercarriage 26Roller 27Actuating cam 50, 51Test station 52, 53Test position 54Conveying direction 55, 56Ejection device 57, 58Ejection position 59Test control 60Connector of the second data interface 61Connector of the first data interface 62Bus 63System control

Claims

1. Inspection system (1) for a plurality of separable inspection objects comprising a feed device (2) for the plurality of inspection objects, a conveying device (3) for the plurality of inspection objects, an inspection unit (4, 5) and an ejecting device, wherein the feed device (2) is configured and disposed such that the plurality of inspection objects can be fed by means of the feed device (2) to a feed position (7) of the conveying device (3), wherein the conveying device (3) comprises a plurality of receptacles (21), wherein each receptacle (21) of the plurality of receptacles (21) is configured and disposed such that exactly one inspection object of the plurality of inspection objects can be conveyed along a conveying path in said receptacle (21) and that two respective inspection objects of the plurality of inspection objects have a spacing along the conveying path that is defined by the plurality of receptacles (21), wherein the inspection unit (4, 5) is disposed at an inspection position on the conveying path and wherein the ejecting device is disposed behind the inspection unit (4, 5) on the conveying path and is configured such that the plurality of inspection objects can be ejected from the plurality of receptacles (21) of the conveying device (3) by means of the ejecting device, wherein the conveying device (3) is configured such that the conveying path has at least one straight section, and wherein the inspection position is disposed on the at least one straight section, characterised in that the inspection unit (4, 5) comprises a housing having a defined installation space, wherein the housing can be releasably connected to the conveying device (3) so that the inspection unit (4, 5) can be replaced with another inspection unit (4, 5), and the housing has a defined width and wherein the straight section (10, 11) of the conveying path is an integer multiple of the width, so that a plurality of inspection units (4, 5) having the same width can be connected to the conveying device (3).

2. Inspection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveying device (3) is configured such that the plurality of receptacles (21) are guided on a closed movement path, wherein the conveying path takes up a part of the movement path.

3. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection system (1) comprises two inspection units (4, 5), wherein the inspection units (4, 5) are disposed at two inspection positions along the conveying path, wherein the conveying path comprises two straight sections (10, 11) and wherein a first of the two inspection positions is disposed on a first of the two straight sections and wherein a second of the two inspection positions is disposed on a second of the two straight sections.

4. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the plurality of receptacles (21) comprises a support surface (22) lying in a plane and a perforation in said support surface (22), wherein the perforation in the plane comprises an opening on one side, such that an inspection object of the plurality of inspection objects can be inserted through the opening into the perforation and wherein the support surface (22) can be moved from a first position into a second position.

5. Inspection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support surface (22) can be pivoted about a pivot axis from the first position into the second position and wherein the pivot axis is parallel to a direction of movement of the receptacle (21).

6. Inspection system (1) according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the feed device (2) comprises a feed bevel (6), wherein the feed bevel (6) is configured and disposed such that, when the inspection system (1) is in operation, the plurality of inspection objects slide over the feed bevel (6) in the direction of one of the plurality of receptacles (21) at the feed position (7), wherein, in the second position, the support surface (22) is parallel to a transfer section of the feed bevel (6).

7. Inspection system (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein, in the first position, the support surface (22) is disposed substantially horizontally.

8. Inspection system (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the conveying device (3) comprises a stationary actuating cam (27) at the feed position (7), wherein the receptacle (21) and the actuating cam (27) are configured and disposed such that that the actuating cam (27) moves the support surface (22) from the first position into the second position when the receptacle (21) reaches the feed position (7).

9. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection unit (4, 5) comprises at least one sensor (14, 15), wherein the sensor (14, 15) is disposed such that it senses a property of the plurality of inspection objects at the inspection position, wherein the sensor (14, 15) is preferably selected from a group consisting of an eddy current sensor, a probe, a conductivity sensor and a camera or a combination thereof.

10. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (3) comprises a guide rail (8) and a plurality of carriages (9) guided on said guide rail (8), wherein each one of the plurality of carriages (9) carries at least one of the plurality of receptacles (21).

11. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (3) comprises a plurality of segments and wherein the straight section (10, 11) of the conveying path comprises an integer multiple of segments.

12. Inspection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection system (1) further comprises an inspection station (50, 51) at the inspection position of the inspection system (1), a data transmission device (62), a first data interface (61) and an identifier, wherein the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) comprises an inspection controller (59) comprising a read-out device and a second data interface (60) connected to the inspection controller (59), wherein the inspection station (50, 51) is configured such that the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) is interchangeably connected to the inspection station (50, 51), wherein the second data interface (60) is separably connected to the first data interface (61) of the inspection system (1) for exchanging data, wherein the data transmission device (62) is operatively connected at least to the ejecting device (55, 56) and via the first data interface (61) and the second data interface to the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) for transmitting information, wherein the identifier biuniquely identifies the inspection position (52, 53), wherein the identifier is encoded in such a way that the identifier can be read by the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) when the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) is inserted into the inspection station (50, 51), wherein the read-out device is configured such that the identifier can be read with the read-out device when the inspection system (1) is in operation and wherein the inspection controller (59) is configured such that the inspection controller (59) reads the identifier by means of the read-out device when the inspection unit (4, 5, 28) is inserted into the inspection station (50, 51).

13. Inspection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the identifier is encoded in an identification device which is disposed at the inspection station (50, 51) and can be read by the inspection unit (4, 5, 28).