Inspection and sorting device
The inspection and sorting device addresses the issue of spherical objects moving during conveyance by using belt conveyor irregularities to hold them in place, ensuring accurate sorting through precise gas ejection timing and positioning.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023190294
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-19
AI Technical Summary
In existing inspection and sorting devices, spherical inspection objects placed on a belt conveyor can move during conveyance due to external forces, leading to incorrect sorting results as the timing of gas ejection for sorting may be disrupted.
The device incorporates a belt conveyor with irregularities on the surface to hold spherical inspection objects in place, combined with a system of gas ejection parts and a sorting control unit that ensures accurate sorting based on inspection results.
This configuration effectively prevents spherical inspection objects from moving during conveyance, ensuring accurate sorting by maintaining the correct timing and position for gas ejection.
Smart Images
Figure 2025077813000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection and sorting device that irradiates an object to be inspected, inspects the object to be inspected based on electromagnetic waves detected after passing through the object to be inspected, and performs sorting based on the inspection results.
Background Art
[0002] An X-ray inspection is performed on granular materials placed and conveyed at equal intervals in the width direction of a belt of a belt conveyor. When the granular materials that have undergone the X-ray inspection reach a position where they are hit by gas ejected from a gas ejection part (nozzle) provided for each placement area downstream of the inspection position in the conveyance direction, gas is ejected from the gas ejection part corresponding to the placement area on which the granular materials selected for sorting in the X-ray inspection are placed, so as to apply a force to the granular materials to be sorted for sorting. An inspection and sorting device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the inspection and sorting device of Patent Document 1, when an inspection object is specified as a sorting object, gas is ejected from a gas ejection part corresponding to the placement area on which the inspection object was placed at the time when the X-ray inspection was performed. That is, after the inspection is performed, it is a prerequisite for appropriate sorting that the inspection object placed on the belt does not move on the belt until it reaches the position where the gas ejected from the gas ejection part hits. However, in the case of a spherical inspection object, if some external force acts during conveyance, it is likely to roll, and if movement occurs due to rolling, the timing at which the ejected gas reaches the hitting position may deviate, or it may move to a placement area different from the placement area at the time of inspection, resulting in the possibility of inappropriate sorting.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection and sorting device in which a spherical inspection object placed on a belt of a belt conveyor is difficult to move on the belt during conveyance.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The inspection and sorting device of the present invention includes a belt conveyor that conveys a spherical inspection object placed on a belt surface in a certain conveyance direction, an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates the inspection object with electromagnetic waves, an electromagnetic wave detection unit that is arranged in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor and detects the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the inspection object, an inspection unit that inspects the inspection object based on the electromagnetic waves detected by the electromagnetic wave detection unit, a plurality of gas ejection parts arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor downstream of the conveyance of the electromagnetic wave detection unit, and a sorting control unit that specifies a sorting object, which is an inspection object to be sorted, based on the inspection result in the inspection unit and ejects gas from the gas ejection part to the sorting object. On the belt surface, irregularities for holding the placed inspection object are formed.
[0007] The gas ejection part is provided for each placement area obtained by equally dividing a certain width range in the width direction of the belt surface. The sorting control part identifies the placement area on which the object to be sorted is placed, and ejects gas onto the object to be sorted from the gas ejection part corresponding to the identified placement area. The unevenness is formed at least in the placement area. The concave part is formed in a size and shape such that the inspection object is at least partially dropped therein. The dropped inspection object may be held by being supported by the convex part.
[0008] The inspection object may be held by being supported by the convex part of the unevenness.
[0009] Specifically, the inspection object may contact the convex part at at least two points.
[0010] The unevenness may be formed in a certain width range in the width direction of the belt surface.
[0011] It may further include a gas distribution part that distributes the gas supplied from the gas supply part to the number of gas ejection parts, and a communication part that is provided with the number of gas distributions in the gas distribution part and guides the distributed gas to the gas ejection part, and is a flexible material hose or tube.
[0012] The top of the convex part of the unevenness may be rounded.
[0013] Each inspection object may have substantially the same size and shape.
[0014] Regarding the convex parts facing each other across the concave part of the unevenness, the distance between them may be at least partially shorter than the distance between them at the opening of the concave part.
[0015] Specifically, regarding the convex parts facing each other across the concave part, the distance between them may become shorter as the depth from the opening of the concave part increases.
[0016] The concave part of the unevenness may linearly extend in a top view of the belt surface.
[0017] Further, the concave portions of the unevenness may extend while meandering when viewed from above the belt surface.
[0018] Also, the concave portions of the unevenness may be dimples.
Advantages of the Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection and sorting device in which spherical inspection objects placed on the belt of a belt conveyor are difficult to move on the belt during conveyance.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the parts once described will be omitted as appropriate.
[0022] The inspection and sorting device 100 of the present invention is a device that inspects spherical inspection objects placed on the belt surface of a belt conveyor and conveyed in a certain direction using electromagnetic waves, and sorts them based on the inspection results. More specifically, it is a device that sorts inspection objects for each placement area partitioned at regular intervals in the width direction of the belt conveyor.
[0023] The inspection object W can be any spherical object. The term "spherical" means a shape in which, due to some external force acting on the object during conveyance, the timing at which the gas ejected for sorting reaches a certain position may shift, or rolling may occur such that the object moves to a placement area different from the placement area during inspection. Typically, shapes such as spheres and various ellipsoids can be cited. In the case of food, soybeans, adzuki beans, rice grains, round candies, etc. are applicable. The content of the inspection is also arbitrary, and examples include shape, area, mass, and the presence or absence of foreign substances. The number of placement areas will be described below by taking the case of eight as an example, but it is not limited to this number. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the inspection and sorting device 100 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration related to the sorting function in FIG. 1.
[0024] The inspection and sorting device 100 includes a belt conveyor 110, an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120, an electromagnetic wave detection unit 130, an inspection unit 140, a gas supply unit 150, a gas distribution unit 160, ejection control units 170a to 170h, gas ejection units 180a to 180h, and a sorting control unit 190.
[0025] Among these components, at least the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 and the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 may be housed in a housing (not shown) in order to prevent leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside or the like. In this case, the inspection object W is placed on the belt surface 111 of the belt conveyor 110 that penetrates the housing, carried into the housing through the carry-in port provided in the housing, and after passing through the inspection, carried out of the housing through the carry-out port provided in the housing. The housing and the carry-in and out ports may be electromagnetically shielded so that the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 do not leak to the outside.
[0026] The belt conveyor 110 conveys the inspection object W placed on the belt surface 111 in a certain conveyance direction (in FIG. 1, the Y-axis direction in the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system). The belt conveyor 110 has a width in the X-axis direction and moves the belt surface, which is the XY plane, in the Y-axis direction, thereby moving the placed inspection object W in the Y-axis direction. As for the material of the belt, a soft material that is likely to cause elastic deformation that may hinder rolling due to the load of the placed inspection object W is suitable. For example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), natural rubber, etc. can be mentioned. When the inspection object W is something for which odor transfer such as food is a problem, TPU is suitable.
[0027] The conveyance speed by the belt conveyor 110 depends on the detection cycle at the detection element and the like, but for example, it is generally about several m / min to one hundred and several tens of m / min.
[0028] The inspection object W is placed and conveyed in any one of a plurality of placement regions obtained by equally dividing a certain width range in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the belt surface 111 of the belt conveyor 110. The certain width range may not be the entire width in the width direction or may be the entire width. The number of placement regions may be appropriately set according to the size of the width range, the size of the inspection object W, the arrangement method of the detection elements in the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130, the arrangement method of the gas ejection unit, etc. FIG. 2 shows an example in which eight equally wide placement regions are set in the width range excluding the vicinity of both ends in the width direction.
[0029] On the belt surface 111, unevenness for holding the inspection object W placed thereon is formed at least in each placement area. FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the unevenness formed on the belt surface 111. The unevenness consists of a concave portion 111d, which is a space sandwiched by or surrounded by convex portions 111p, and a convex portion 111p, which is a portion protruding when viewed from the bottom of the concave portion 111d. The concave portion 111d is formed in a size and shape such that the inspection object W is at least partially dropped therein, and the inspection object W dropped at least partially therein is held by being supported by the convex portion 111p.
[0030] When the sizes and shapes of the concave portion 111d and the convex portion 111p are optimized to a sphere or the like of a certain size and shape and formed on the belt surface 111, when an inspection object W having substantially the same size and shape as the sphere or the like is placed on the belt surface 111, the highest movement suppression effect can be obtained. Therefore, it is desirable that the sizes and shapes of the respective inspection objects W are substantially the same as those of the sphere or the like.
[0031] FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the inspection object is at least partially dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported and held by the convex portion 111p. The inspection objects W1 to W3 are spheres. The inspection object W1 shows a state in which it is partially dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported by the convex portions 111p on both sides and is held in the concave portion 111d. The inspection object W2 shows a state in which it is entirely dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported by the convex portions 111p on both sides and is held in the concave portion 111d. The inspection object W3 shows a state in which it is entirely dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported only by the convex portion 111p on one side and is held in the concave portion 111d. The inspection objects W4 to W5 are ellipsoids. The inspection object W4 shows a state in which it is partially dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported by the convex portions 111p on both sides and is held in the concave portion 111d. The inspection object W5 shows a state in which most of it is dropped into the concave portion 111d and is supported by the convex portions 111p on both sides and is held in the concave portion 111d.
[0032] When unevenness like that of the present invention is not formed on the belt surface 111, the inspection object W in the form of a sphere or an ellipsoid basically contacts the belt surface 111 at only one point. On the other hand, in any of the cases of the inspection objects W1 to W5 described above, since they contact the belt surface 111 at two or more points, a movement suppression effect due to an improvement in frictional force can be obtained, and further a movement suppression effect due to the support of the convex portions 111p can also be obtained.
[0033] In the cases of the inspection objects W1 and W4, by being at least partially dropped into the concave portion 111d, even when an external force is applied, they are supported in a form of being caught by the convex portions 111p on both sides, so the movement is suppressed.
[0034] In the cases of the inspection objects W2 and W5, by being entirely or mostly dropped into the concave portion 111d, even when an external force is applied, they are supported by contacting the convex portion 111p at two or more points and being pinched, etc., and the movement is strongly suppressed. However, as a reflex effect, when separating the inspection object from the belt surface 111 during sorting, there is a possibility that prompt separation may be hindered. Therefore, in order to enhance the releasability, for the convex portions 111p facing each other across the concave portion 111d, unevenness may be formed such that the distance between the two (the width of the concave portion 111d) is shorter than the distance between the two at least partially at the opening of the concave portion 111d. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, unevenness may be formed such that the distance between the convex portions 111p becomes shorter as it gets deeper from the opening of the concave portion 111d. Thereby, while ensuring support at two or more points by the convex portions 111p, the releasability from the concave portion 111d can be enhanced.
[0035] In the case of the inspection object W3, it is entirely dropped into the concave portion 111d, but the contact with the convex portion 111p is only at one point, and there is a gap between it and the other convex portions 111p. However, although there is a gap, since the convex portions 111p exist on both sides, the movable range is restricted to the width of the concave portion 111d. Therefore, by setting the width of the concave portion 111d within the range where movement is allowed, a necessary and sufficient movement suppression effect can be obtained.
[0036] Figures 5(a) to (d) show examples of the formation patterns of unevenness on the belt surface 111. Each figure is a view of the belt surface 111 as seen from above.
[0037] Figure 5(a) shows an example in which unevenness is formed such that the concave portions 111d extend linearly in the conveying direction. A plurality of concave portions 111d are formed at regular intervals in the width direction in the placement region of the belt surface 111. By extending the concave portions 111d in the conveying direction, not only is movement suppressed due to an increase in the frictional force with the belt surface 111, but also when an external force is applied in the width direction, the inspection object W is likely to get caught on the convex portions 111p, so movement in the width direction is effectively suppressed.
[0038] Figure 5(b) shows an example in which unevenness is formed such that the concave portions 111d extend linearly in the width direction. A plurality of concave portions 111d are formed at regular intervals in the conveying direction in the placement region of the belt surface 111. By extending the concave portions 111d in the width direction, not only is movement suppressed due to an increase in the frictional force with the belt surface 111, but also when an external force is applied in the conveying direction, the inspection object W is likely to get caught on the convex portions 111p, so movement in the conveying direction is effectively suppressed.
[0039] Figure 5(c) shows an example in which unevenness is formed in the placement region such that the concave portions 111d extend while meandering in the width direction. A plurality of concave portions 111d are formed at regular intervals in the conveying direction in the placement region of the belt surface 111. Note that the concave portions 111d may be formed so as to extend while meandering in the conveying direction. By causing the concave portions 111d to meander and extend, not only is movement suppressed due to an increase in the frictional force with the belt surface 111, but also when an external force is applied in any direction, the inspection object W is likely to get caught on the convex portions 111p, so movement in each direction is effectively suppressed.
[0040] FIG. 5(d) shows an example in which the concave portion 111d is formed as a dimple. A plurality of concave portions 111d, which are dimples, are formed in the placement region of the belt surface 111, and each is surrounded by a convex portion 111p. By forming dimples as the concave portions 111d, in addition to suppressing movement due to an increase in the frictional force with the belt surface 111, when an external force is applied in any direction, the inspection object W is likely to be caught by the convex portion 111p, so movement in each direction is effectively suppressed.
[0041] After the electromagnetic wave is detected by the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130, the inspection object W needs to be in a holding state in which it is at least partially dropped into the concave portion 111d and supported by the convex portion 111p from the time it is placed on the belt surface 111 until it reaches the electromagnetic wave detection position by the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 and until it detaches from the belt surface 111 at the downstream end of the belt conveyor 110 so that no movement occurs on the belt surface 111.
[0042] Unless in special cases such as being able to control the position and timing of placing the inspection object W on the belt surface 111 in some way so that it is surely dropped into the concave portion 111d, when the inspection object W is placed on the belt surface 111, it may also be placed on the convex portion 111p. In preparation for such a case, it is desirable to form the unevenness in such a manner that the inspection object W placed on the convex portion 111p is quickly guided to the concave portion 111d.
[0043] For example, instead of forming the top of the convex portion 111p to be wide like the unevenness shown in Fig. 6(a), it may be formed to be narrow like the unevenness shown in Fig. 6(b). Thereby, even a slight movement caused by an external force such as vibration during conveyance is likely to be dropped into the concave portion 111d. Also, as can be seen from the comparison between Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b), by narrowing the top of the convex portion 111p, the formation interval of the concave portion 111d also becomes shorter, and as a result, the formation ratio of the concave portion 111d in the formation range of the unevenness increases. Thereby, at the time of placing the inspection object W on the belt surface 111, it is likely to be directly dropped into the concave portion 111d or placed in the vicinity of the concave portion 111d and is likely to be dropped into the concave portion 111d due to a slight movement caused by an external force such as vibration during conveyance.
[0044] Note that the degree to which the top of the convex portion 111p is narrowed, in other words, the degree to which the formation interval of the concave portion 111d is shortened, may be appropriately determined according to the size of the inspection object W, the size of the concave portion 111d to be formed, and the material of the belt.
[0045] Instead of making the top of the convex portion 111p flat as shown in Fig. 6(a), processing may be performed to give it a shape that impairs the placement stability of the placed inspection object W, such as rounding it or inclining it as shown in Fig. 6(c). Thereby, the placement stability of the inspection object W on the convex portion 111p can be directly impaired, and the dropping into the concave portion 111d can be promoted.
[0046] However, if the top of the convex portion 111p is processed and the top of the convex portion 111p is wide, the external force acting due to vibration during conveyance or the like may be offset by the long-acting frictional force from the top, and there is a risk that the object may not be successfully dropped into the concave portion 111d. Also, since the top of the convex portion 111p is wide, that is, the formation interval of the concave portion 111d is long, the distance to reach the concave portion 111d becomes long, and even if movement occurs due to an external force such as vibration during conveyance, after the inspection object W is placed on the belt surface 111, there is a risk that the concave portion 111d cannot be reached by the time the inspection object W reaches the electromagnetic wave detection position by the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130. Therefore, even when processing the shape of the top of the convex portion 111p, it is necessary to appropriately set the width of the top of the convex portion 111p and the size of the concave portion 111d.
[0047] The size of the opening of the concave portion 111d may be formed larger than the size of the inspection object W so that the inspection object W guided to the vicinity of the concave portion 111d can be quickly dropped into the concave portion 111d. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the unevenness may be formed such that the distance between the convex portions 111p facing each other across the concave portion 111d (the width of the concave portion 111d) becomes shorter as it goes deeper from the opening of the concave portion 111d. Thereby, while ensuring support at two or more points by the convex portion 111p, the ease of dropping into the concave portion 111d can be enhanced.
[0048] The belt conveyor 110 may be configured to be able to replace the belt. Thereby, a belt having optimal unevenness formed on the belt surface 111 can be applied according to the size and shape of the inspection object W.
[0049] The electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 irradiates a predetermined electromagnetic wave toward the inspection object W conveyed by the belt conveyor 110. The type of electromagnetic wave to be irradiated may be appropriately selected according to the material of the inspection object W, the content of the inspection, etc., such as X-rays, visible light, infrared rays, etc. The electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 is arranged at a position where the inspection object W is irradiated with a necessary and sufficient electromagnetic wave for detecting the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the inspection object W by the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130.
[0050] The electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 is arranged at a position where it can detect the electromagnetic wave irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 and passing through the inspection object W. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which it is arranged inside the conveyor belt facing the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 120 so as to be able to detect the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the inspection object W.
[0051] Also, regarding the arrangement position of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 110, it depends on the required time from when the inspection object W is placed on the belt conveyor 110 until it reaches the holding state, and the required time for the inspection in the inspection unit 140. Specifically, in the present invention, it is necessary that the inspection object W reaches the detection position of the electromagnetic wave by the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 after being placed on the belt surface 111 from the feeder and falls into the concave portion 111d and is supported by the convex portion 111p to be in the holding state. Also, after the detection of the electromagnetic wave passing through the inspection object in the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130, it is necessary that the inspection by the inspection unit 140 is completed before the inspection object W detaches from the belt surface 111 at the downstream end of the belt conveyor 110.
[0052] Therefore, the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 is arranged at any position in the conveying direction that satisfies the condition that the inspection object W arrives after the elapse of the required time from when the inspection object W is placed on the belt surface 111 until it reaches the holding state, and the inspection object W detaches from the belt surface 111 after the elapse of the required time from when the electromagnetic wave passing through the inspection object W is detected until the inspection is completed.
[0053] The electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 is a line sensor composed of a plurality of detection elements arranged in the width direction of the belt conveyor 110. Each detection element detects the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the inspection object W or directly reached it, and outputs detection data at a predetermined cycle. A plurality of lines of the line sensor may be provided in the conveying direction.
[0054] The number of detection elements arranged in the one-row line sensor is, for example, set to the number corresponding to the length in the width direction where the inspection object W is placed on the belt surface 111. Also, the period during which each detection element detects an electromagnetic wave, accumulates detection data, and outputs it may be, for example, the time required for the width of the detection element in the conveyance direction to pass at the conveyance speed of the belt conveyor 110. By setting the number of arrangements and the detection period in this way, it is possible to inspect the inspection object W passing successively above the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 without omission.
[0055] The detection of the electromagnetic wave in each placement area of the belt surface 111 is borne by each detection element group composed of the number of detection elements obtained by dividing the number of detection elements arranged in the width direction of the belt conveyor 110 by the number of placement areas on the belt surface 111. In the example of FIG. 2, since eight placement areas are set, each of the eight detection element groups L1 to L8 is responsible for detecting the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the inspection object W conveyed in the eight placement areas. Each of the eight detection element groups L1 to L8 is composed of 16 detection elements if the total number of detection elements in the width direction is, for example, 128.
[0056] The inspection unit 140 inspects the detection data periodically output from each detection element group of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 and identifies which detection element group has abnormal detection data in each period.
[0057] The gas supply unit 150 is a gas supply source that supplies the gas to be ejected from the gas ejection units 180a to 180h. The gas can be arbitrary as long as it does not cause problems to the inspection object W or the installation environment.
[0058] The gas distribution unit 160 is a manifold that distributes the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 150 and discharges it to the number of gas ejection units. The number of gas ejection units provided is the same as the number of placement areas set on the belt surface 111. In the example of FIG. 2, since eight placement areas are set, eight gas ejection units 180a to 180h corresponding to each placement area are provided. Therefore, the gas is distributed eight times in the gas distribution unit and discharged from the eight discharge ports 160a to 160h.
[0059] The ejection control unit is a valve that controls the ejection of gas from the discharge ports, provided for each path to the plurality of discharge ports of the gas distribution unit 160. The operation of the valve is controlled by the sorting control unit 190 described later. FIG. 2 shows an example in the case where eight placement areas are set on the belt conveyor 110, and ejection control units 170a to 170h are provided for the respective paths to the eight discharge ports 160a to 160h of the gas distribution unit 160.
[0060] The gas ejection unit is a nozzle that ejects the gas distributed by the gas distribution unit 160 based on valve control by the ejection control unit. The gas ejection unit is provided at the downstream end of the belt conveyor 110, and the same number as the number of distributions by the gas distribution unit is arranged in a row in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor 110, specifically, for example, in the width direction. In the case of FIG. 2, gas ejection units 180a to 180h are arranged downstream of the respective conveyance directions of the detection element groups L1 to L8 of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130. In FIG. 2, although the gas ejection units 180a to 180h are described downstream of the gas of the ejection control units 170a to 170h and also downstream of the conveyance of the belt conveyor 110, both are the same, and the gas ejection units 180a to 180h are described redundantly for convenience to clarify the positional relationship with respect to the belt conveyor 110.
[0061] The ejection ports of the gas ejection units 180a to 180h are set at positions and in directions where the ejected gas hits the inspection object W and gives a sufficient change in the traveling direction for sorting by ejecting the gas at the timing when the inspection object W conveyed by the belt conveyor 110 arrives.
[0062] As a configuration for performing sorting by gas ejection, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, a configuration is provided in which gas is ejected toward the inspection object W falling from the end of the belt conveyor 110 in the conveying direction, thereby changing the landing position for sorting. Specifically, for example, the inspection object W is horizontally projected at the conveying speed in the conveying direction from the end of the belt conveyor 110 in the conveying direction and gradually falls. An OK box is installed at the position where it would land if no gas were ejected, and an NG box is installed at the position where it would land when gas is ejected. The position of the NG box is determined according to the positions and directions of the ejection ports of the gas ejection parts 180a to 180h. Fig. 1 shows an example where the ejection port faces directly downward.
[0063] When gas is ejected from the appropriately provided ejection port at an appropriate timing and hits the inspection object W falling, the advancing direction of the inspection object W changes to the directly downward direction and finally falls into the NG box installed at the landing position. That is, the inspection object W that reaches the end of the belt conveyor 110 in the conveying direction will fall into the OK box if no gas is ejected, and will fall into the NG box installed in front of the OK box in the conveying direction if gas is ejected, enabling sorting in this form.
[0064] As another configuration for performing sorting by gas ejection, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, a conveyor 115 is provided on the downstream side of the end of the belt conveyor 110 in the conveying direction with a gap and a step through which the inspection object W can pass, and a configuration is provided in which gas is ejected toward the inspection object W falling through the gap for sorting. Specifically, a conveyor 115 for conveying the landed inspection object W in a certain direction is provided at the position where the inspection object W conveyed by the belt conveyor 110 falls and lands from the end of the belt conveyor 110 in the conveying direction. Also, the position and direction of the ejection port are set so that the advancing direction of the inspection object W faces the gap between the belt conveyor 110 and the conveyor 115 when the ejected gas hits it.
[0065] When gas is ejected from the thus provided ejection port at an appropriate timing and hits the inspection object W falling down, the traveling direction of the inspection object W changes in the gap direction and it falls onto a tray or the like (not shown) located ahead after passing through the gap. That is, the inspection object W that has reached the conveyance direction end of the belt conveyor 110 will fall onto the conveyor 115 and continue to be conveyed if gas is not ejected, and can be sorted in such a way that it will fall onto a tray or the like when gas is ejected. In this case, since the inspected object W after sorting is placed on the conveyor 115, it is not necessary to provide a recess on the belt surface. Therefore, as long as the conveyor 115 can continuously convey the placed inspection object W in a certain direction, any type of conveyor such as a belt conveyor, a driving roller conveyor, or a vibrating conveyor may be applied in addition to the belt conveyor.
[0066] Note that another conveyor (not shown) may be provided at the position where the inspection object W whose traveling direction has changed due to being hit by the ejected gas falls, so that the conveyance of the inspection object W whose traveling direction has changed is separately continued.
[0067] Also, a chute-type sorting mechanism may be provided in the previous stage of the conveyor 115. For example, when an error occurs in the sorting by gas ejection, the object to be sorted is sorted by the chute, and other inspection objects W are placed on the conveyor 115 and the conveyance is continued.
[0068] Based on the inspection result of the inspection object W in the inspection unit 140, the sorting control unit 190 identifies the sorting object, which is the inspection object W to be sorted, and causes the gas ejection unit to eject gas onto the sorting object. Specifically, first, based on the inspection result of the inspection object W in the inspection unit 140, the sorting object and the placement area of the sorting object on the belt surface 111 are identified. Then, at the timing when the sorting object passes through the position where the gas ejected from the gas ejection unit corresponding to the identified placement area hits, the ejection control unit corresponding to the gas ejection unit is controlled to eject gas from the gas ejection unit. Note that the sorting object in the present invention means the inspection object W that receives the injection of gas from the gas ejection unit based on the inspection result. Therefore, it may be arbitrarily determined whether to use the inspection object W with an abnormal inspection result as the sorting object or the inspection object W with a normal inspection result as the sorting object. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the inspection object W with an abnormal inspection result is the sorting object.
[0069] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when there are 8 placement areas set on the belt surface 111, if there is an abnormality in the detection data of a certain detection cycle in the detection element group L5 of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130, the inspection object W located at the position where the transmitted electromagnetic wave is detected in the detection element group L5 of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 in this detection cycle is identified as the sorting object. Also, it is identified that the sorting object is placed in the fifth placement area corresponding to the detection element group L5. Then, after the elapse of the time specified by the conveyance speed of the belt conveyor 110 and the distance from the position of the detection element group L5 of the electromagnetic wave detection unit 130 to the position where the gas ejected from the gas ejection unit 180e hits, in order for the sorting object to reach the position where the gas ejected from the gas ejection unit 180e corresponding to the fifth placement area hits, the ejection control unit 170e is controlled at this timing to eject gas from the gas ejection unit 180e. Thereby, the ejected gas can hit the sorting object and change the traveling direction.
[0070] According to the inspection and sorting device 100 configured as described above, since the spherical object to be inspected W placed on the belt surface 111 of the belt conveyor 110 is difficult to move on the belt during conveyance, gas can be ejected from the gas ejection portion corresponding to the placement area where the object to be sorted was placed during inspection at an appropriate timing, and the object to be sorted can be appropriately sorted.
[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are examples, and any configuration that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention and exhibits the same operational effects is included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, within the scope of the technical idea expressed in the present invention, appropriate modifications can be made, and forms with such modifications and improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0072] For example, a communication portion, which is a flow path that communicates one-to-one between each discharge port of the gas distribution portion 160 and each gas ejection portion, may be provided as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the gas distributed by the gas distribution portion 160 may be guided to the gas ejection portion through the communication portion. In the example of FIG. 9, each of the discharge ports 160a to 160h and each of the gas ejection portions 180a to 180h are communicated by communication portions 200a to 200h. As the material of the communication portion, hoses and tubes such as vinyl chloride, silicone rubber, and polyurethane resin, through which gas can pass and the arrangement of each gas ejection portion can be flexibly performed, are suitable.
[0073] When a plurality of gas ejection parts are provided, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas distribution part that distributes the gas from the gas supply source into a plurality, and at each of the plurality of outlets of the gas distribution part, an ejection control part that is a valve for controlling the ejection of the gas is provided, and the gas ejection part is directly connected to each ejection control part. That is, the gas distribution part, the ejection control part, and the gas ejection part are integrally configured. Therefore, the arrangement of the gas ejection part could not be set flexibly. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by providing the communication parts, the gas distribution part 160 and each gas ejection part communicate with each other via each communication part and are not integrated, so the arrangement of each gas ejection part is not restricted by the arrangement of the ejection control part. Therefore, the arrangement of the gas ejection part can be set flexibly. Generally, the width of the ejection control part that is a valve is wider than the width of the gas ejection part that is a nozzle, but according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to narrow the total width of the plurality of gas ejection parts with respect to the total width of the plurality of ejection control parts, and the degree of freedom of the device configuration can be increased.
Explanation of Signs
[0074] 100…Inspection and sorting device 110…Belt conveyor 111…Belt surface 111d…Concave part 111p…Convex part 115…Conveyor 120…Electromagnetic wave irradiation part 130…Electromagnetic wave detection part 140…Inspection part 150…Gas supply part 160…Gas distribution part 170a~170h…Ejection control parts 180a~180h…Gas ejection parts 190…Sorting control part 200a~200h…Communication parts L1~L8…Detection element groups W, W1~W5…Objects to be inspected
Claims
1. a belt conveyor that conveys spherical inspection objects placed on a belt surface in a fixed conveying direction; an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates the inspection object with electromagnetic waves; an electromagnetic wave detection unit arranged in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and detecting the electromagnetic wave passing through the inspection object; an inspection unit that inspects the inspection object based on the electromagnetic waves detected by the electromagnetic wave detection unit; a plurality of gas ejection units arranged in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the belt conveyor downstream of the electromagnetic wave detection unit; a sorting control unit that identifies a sorting object that is the inspection object to be sorted based on the inspection result in the inspection unit and causes the gas blowing unit to blow gas onto the sorting object; Equipped with An inspection and sorting device in which the belt surface is formed with projections and recesses that hold the inspection objects placed on it.
2. the gas ejection section is provided for each of the placement areas obtained by dividing a certain width range in the width direction of the belt surface by equal widths, the sorting control unit specifies the placement area in which the sorting objects are placed, and causes the gas blowing unit corresponding to the specified placement area to blow gas onto the sorting objects; The unevenness is formed at least in the placement area, the concave portion is formed with a size and shape that allows the test object to be at least partially dropped into, and the dropped test object is supported and held by the convex portion.
2. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1.
3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1 , wherein the object to be inspected is supported and held by convex portions of the concaves and convexes.
4. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 3 , wherein the object to be inspected contacts the convex portion at least at two points.
5. 2. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness is formed on the belt surface within a certain width range in the width direction.
6. a gas distribution unit that distributes the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the number of the gas ejection units; A communication part which is a hose or tube made of a flexible material and which is provided in the number of distributions of the gas in the gas distribution part and which guides the distributed gas to the gas ejection part; The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:
7. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the tops of the convex portions of the unevenness are rounded.
8. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the inspection objects has substantially the same size and shape.
9. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness is such that the distance between convex portions facing each other across a concave portion is at least partially shorter than the distance between the two at an opening of the concave portion.
10. 10. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 9, wherein the unevenness is such that, for convex portions facing each other across a concave portion, the distance between the two portions becomes shorter as the depth from the opening of the concave portion increases.
11. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the concave portions of the unevenness extend linearly when viewed from above on the belt surface.
12. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the concave portions of the unevenness extend in a meandering manner when viewed from above on the belt surface.
13. 3. The inspection and sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion of the concaves and convexes is a dimple.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Sorting device
JP2017164722A