Article inspection device

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device that is able to easily set an operation timing even at a high conveyance speed.SOLUTION: A control unit 40 includes: a delay time calculation unit 52 that measures a plurality of times a conveyance time Tx from a first detection point-in-time t0 at a leading end E1 of an article to a second detection point-in-time t1 thereof, and also measures a plurality of times a conveyance time (Tx+Ty) from the point-in-time t0 to a third detection point-in-time t2 at a trailing end E2; a delay time setting unit 53 that sets a storage holding time Td corresponding to a difference between Min (Tx) and Max (Tx+Ty); a timer 48 that measures Min (Tx) as an inspection time T1; a timer 51 that measures a time Td as a conveyance time from the point-in-time t1 to a position P2 of an article W; a sorting command output unit 55 that causes an ejection mechanism 35 to stand by at an output point-in-time (t0+T1) of the timer 48, and causes it to perform a discharge operation at a point in time of the time Td elapsed; and correspondence determination means 52d for determining that the article W corresponds to an inspection result when the leading end E1 and the trailing end E2 are detected by a sensor 17 during a period from when the T1 has elapsed to when the Td has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article inspection apparatus, and more particularly to an article inspection apparatus including an inspection unit that inspects an article and a sorting unit that performs a sorting operation according to the inspection result of the inspection unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an inspection unit that inspects a predetermined quality state of an article while transporting the article, for example, an inspection for excess or deficiency in weight or the presence of foreign substances such as metal, and a sorting unit that is disposed downstream of the inspection unit in the transport direction and sorts the article according to the inspection result of the inspection unit are frequently used.

[0003] In such an article inspection apparatus, for example, in a weight sorter, conventionally, the transport speed of the article in the inspection unit is set in consideration of the transport speed of the article in the sorting unit, the sorting ability (the number of articles that can be sorted per unit time), etc. so that inspections such as weight measurement on the inspection line and the sorting operation according to the results can be stably performed.

[0004] As this type of article inspection apparatus, for example, a weight sorter is known in which the time required for inspection / measurement in the inspection unit and the sorting delay time from the output of the inspection measurement result to the start of the sorting operation are calculated in advance, these are added to set the scheduled time until the start of sorting, and the sorting operation is performed after waiting for the elapse of the scheduled time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Further, in a sorting apparatus, there are provided sorting operation means capable of adjusting the timing of the sorting operation, and sorting drive means for driving the sorting operation means based on a sorting start signal and a sorting end signal included in a sorting command signal output from a higher command device at a predetermined command timing for the transported article, and parameter change request means for outputting a parameter change request signal for requesting a change in the predetermined command timing to a higher command device such as an article inspection position. Even when the downstream sorting position is far from the higher command device, an apparatus is known in which the operation timing of the sorting operation means can be easily finely adjusted (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the conventional former article inspection apparatus as described above, when the conveyance speed is relatively high, such as in a weight sorter, etc., the sorting operation time is limited to a short time so as not to affect the sorting operations of the articles before and after. On the other hand, when the article being conveyed is transferred from the inspection unit to the sorting unit side, etc., it is likely to slip, and there are concerns about the reliability of the sorting operation, and there is a problem that it is not easy for an inexperienced user to set the sorting operation timing.

[0008] Also, when indirectly detecting that the inspected article has reached the discharge start position by the elapsed time from the article detection time and outputting a necessary sorting command, if the variation in the conveyance time due to slipping of the article, etc. becomes large, the reliability of the process of associating the inspected article with the stored information of the inspection result decreases, and there has been a concern that it may lead to mis-sorting.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an article inspection apparatus that can execute a reliable sorting operation even when the article conveyance speed is increased or the transfer time from the inspection unit to the sorting unit side is likely to vary, and that can easily set a reliable sorting operation timing even for an inexperienced user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the article inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes: (1) a conveyance unit that conveys an article along a predetermined conveyance path; an inspection unit that inspects a predetermined quality state of the article within a predetermined inspection section in the conveyance path; a sorting unit that has a discharge mechanism which responds to an input of a sorting command signal and discharges the inspected article out of the conveyance path according to the inspection result in the inspection unit; and a control unit that controls the inspection unit and the sorting unit. The article inspection apparatus has a first article detection sensor disposed on the entrance side of the predetermined inspection section and a second article detection sensor disposed on the entrance side of a sorting section downstream of the predetermined inspection section. The control unit measures a plurality of times the first conveyance time from a first detection time when the tip of the article is detected by the first article detection sensor to a second detection time when the tip is detected by the second article detection sensor in response to a predetermined adjustment request input from an operator, and measures a plurality of times the second conveyance time from the first detection time to a third detection time when the rear end of the article is detected by the second article detection sensor, and outputs a plurality of measurement values respectively. The control unit further includes: conveyance time measurement means; operation time setting means for setting a storage holding time of the inspection result of the article corresponding to a time difference between a minimum time among the plurality of measurement values of the first conveyance time and a maximum time among the plurality of measurement values of the second conveyance time; an inspection time management timer that measures, as a predetermined inspection time required from the first detection time to the output of the inspection result, the time until the minimum time among the plurality of measurement values of the first conveyance time elapses from the first detection time; a holding time management timer that measures the storage holding time as a conveyance time from the second detection time until the article reaches a sorting operation start conveyance position suitable for the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism; sorting command output means for causing the discharge mechanism to standby in a state where the discharge operation is possible when receiving an output of the inspection time management timer notifying the elapse of the predetermined inspection time, and causing the discharge mechanism to execute the discharge operation when the storage holding time elapses from that point; and correspondence determination means for determining that the article is an article corresponding to the inspection result when the tip and the rear end of the article are detected by the second article detection sensor between the elapse of the predetermined inspection time and the elapse of the storage holding time.

[0011] With this configuration, in the present invention, when there is a predetermined adjustment requirement input, the first conveyance time from the first detection time of the tip of the article by the first article detection sensor on the entrance side of the inspection section to the second detection time by the second article detection sensor on the entrance side of the sorting section, and the second conveyance time from the first detection time to the third detection time by the second article detection sensor at the rear end of the article are each measured a plurality of times, and the storage holding time of the inspection result corresponding to the time difference between the minimum time of the first conveyance time and the maximum time of the second conveyance time is set by the operation time setting means. Then, the minimum time from the first detection time until the elapse of the first conveyance time is measured by the inspection time management timer as a predetermined inspection time until the inspection result is output, and the storage holding time of the inspection result is measured by the holding time management timer as a delay time from the second detection time until the inspected article reaches the start position of the discharge operation. At the output time of the inspection time management timer that notifies the elapse of the predetermined inspection time, the sorting command output means places the discharge mechanism in a standby state where it can perform the discharge operation. When the storage holding time has elapsed from that output time, the discharge operation of the discharge mechanism is executed according to the inspection result. Also, at this time, if the tip and rear end of the article are detected by the second article detection sensor between the time when the predetermined inspection time has elapsed and the time when the storage holding time of the inspection result has elapsed, the corresponding determination means determines that the article corresponds to the inspection result. Therefore, even if the article conveyance speed is increased or the variety is such that the transfer time from the inspection unit to the sorting unit side is likely to vary, a reliable sorting operation can be executed. As a result, even an inexperienced user can easily set the reliable sorting operation timing simply by performing a predetermined adjustment requirement input, and it becomes an article inspection device.

[0012] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further has a timing adjustment screen generation means for generating a timing adjustment screen that displays, in the order of measurement, the measured value of the first conveyance time and the measured value corresponding to the second conveyance time on a screen so that they can be compared, and the operation time setting means determines that the respective display counts of the measured value of the first conveyance time and the measured value corresponding to the second conveyance time reach a predetermined plurality, and specifies the minimum time among the plurality of measured values of the first conveyance time and the maximum time among the plurality of measured values of the second conveyance time, and can be configured to calculate the storage retention time.

[0013] In this case, by referring to the measured value of the first conveyance time and the measured value of the second conveyance time that are displayed on the timing adjustment screen so that they can be compared in the order of measurement, the degree of variation of each measured value can be easily grasped, and a predetermined inspection time that is the starting point for setting the discharge mechanism to a standby state where it can perform a discharge operation can be intuitively, easily, and accurately grasped as the minimum time of the first conveyance time.

[0014] (3) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation time setting means can also be configured to calculate the storage retention time on the condition that, in addition to the respective display counts of the measured value of the first conveyance time and the measured value corresponding to the second conveyance time reaching the predetermined plurality, an operation input for requesting adjustment of the operation timing of the sorting unit is made.

[0015] In this way, when an operation input for requesting adjustment of the operation timing of the sorting unit is made, a predetermined inspection time and a storage retention time of the inspection result are calculated, so that the operation timing of the sorting unit can be accurately adjusted when necessary.

[0016] (4) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the timing adjustment screen generation means can be configured to display the storage retention time and the minimum time of the measured value of the first conveyance time on the timing adjustment screen when the storage retention time is calculated by the operation time setting means.

[0017] In this case, in addition to the predetermined inspection time, the storage retention time of the inspection result is displayed on the screen, so that the start timing of the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism can be intuitively, easily, and accurately grasped.

[0018] (5) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveyance time measuring means measures the article passage time from the second detection time point to the third detection time point, and can be configured to output a measurement value of a time corresponding to the conveyance direction length of the article.

[0019] In this way, from the measurement value display of the article passage time, it is possible to accurately grasp that the article passage time is set according to the article length, and the variation in the conveyance state due to slippage or the like of the article near the start position of the discharge operation from the variation in the second conveyance time.

[0020] (6) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a discharge operation confirmation sensor is provided on at least one side in the conveyance path width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sorting section of the conveyance path, and the delay time setting means reaches the conveyance position where the article to be discharged starts to contact the sorting member of the discharge mechanism from the first detection time point, and measures the moving time from when the discharge operation confirmation sensor starts to be shielded while being directed in the discharge direction by the sorting member and the shielding time of the discharge operation confirmation sensor a plurality of times respectively. After detecting the minimum time among the measured plurality of moving times and the maximum time among the plurality of delay times, a time difference corresponding to the difference between these detected values is calculated, and a discharge posture holding time and an operation confirmation time that can include variations can be set.

[0021] In this way, even if the article conveyance speed is increased or the variety has an easily variable transfer time from the inspection section to the sorting section side, in addition to being able to perform a reliable sorting operation, a reliable sorting operation confirmation work becomes possible.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, even if the article conveyance speed is increased or the transfer time from the inspection unit to the sorting unit becomes a variety that is likely to vary, a reliable sorting operation can be executed, and even an inexperienced user can easily set the reliable sorting operation timing. An article inspection apparatus can be provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (One Embodiment) Figs. 1 to 7 show an article inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] First, the configuration will be described.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the article inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a conveyance unit 10 that conveys an article W along a predetermined conveyance path, an inspection unit 20 that inspects a predetermined quality state of the article W within a predetermined inspection section Z1 (see Fig. 3) in the conveyance path, a sorting unit 30 that operates in response to an input of a sorting command signal within a predetermined sorting section Z2 and sorts the inspected article W inspected by the inspection unit 20 according to the inspection result, and a control unit 40 that controls the conveyance unit 10, the inspection unit 20, and the sorting unit 30, and is of a weight sorting type.

[0028] The conveyance unit 10 is composed of a plurality of conveyor units 11, 12, 13, 14 arranged in a row in the left-right direction in Figs. 1 and 2 and their conveyance driving means. Although the details of these conveyor units 11 to 14 are not shown, a plurality of loop-shaped conveyor belts are supported by a plurality of driving-side and driven-side rollers parallel to each other so as to be conveyance-drivable, thereby forming a predetermined conveyance path capable of sequentially conveying the article W in the right direction in Fig. 1. Further, the conveyance driving means of the plurality of conveyor units 11, 12, 13, 14 is composed of a motor for conveyance driving, an encoder for detecting its speed, etc., and is controlled by the control unit 40 so as to achieve the conveyance speed set for each type of the article W.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection unit 20 includes a weighing platform 21 that supports the conveyor unit 12, and a weighing unit 22 that measures the weight (load) applied to the weighing platform 21 by an electromagnetic balance scale or a load cell scale. The weighing unit 22 is capable of outputting a measurement signal corresponding to the load to the control unit 40 side. In FIG. 2, the weighing platform 21 and the weighing unit 22 are schematically illustrated, but it goes without saying that their arrangements, numbers, weighing conditions, etc. are not particularly limited. Also, here the inspection unit 20 is capable of measuring the weight of the article W, but of course, it may be an inspection unit of other article inspection methods.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the sorting unit 30 includes a support frame 31 that supports the conveyor unit 13, a pair of sorting members, such as flipper arms 33A and 33B, that are rotatably supported by the support frame 31 so as to be located on both sides in the conveyance path width direction of the conveyor unit 13, and a sorting drive unit 32 that drives both flipper arms 33A and 33B for sorting, and includes a discharge mechanism 35. The sorting drive unit 32 of the discharge mechanism 35 can sort the discharge direction of the article W in a direction corresponding to the sorting command signal by setting the flipper arms 33A and 33B in relative postures corresponding to the sorting command signals respectively.

[0031] The sorting drive unit 32 is composed of a pneumatically operated air cylinder, for example, a single-acting air cylinder, a rotary-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts the telescopic motion (linear motion) of the air cylinder into the rotational motion of the flipper arm 33A or 33B, an electromagnetic switching valve that controls the supply and discharge of air to the air cylinder, and the like. Also, the single-acting air cylinder operates in one direction of the telescopic direction at a speed corresponding to the supply amount of the compressed air supplied to the supply port, and returns to the other side of the telescopic direction at a speed corresponding to the air discharge amount discharged from the discharge port by the restoring force of the built-in spring.

[0032] In this sorting unit 30, when either one of the two flipper arms 33A and 33B enters the conveyor unit 13 at a predetermined angle intersecting the article conveying direction, it takes a predetermined discharge-side operating posture, for example, the posture of the flipper arm 33A shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), or the posture of the flipper arm 33B shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(b). Also, when both flipper arms 33A and 33B retract from the conveyor unit 13 and become substantially parallel to each other, they take a non-discharge operating posture of allowing the article W on the conveyor unit 13 to pass downstream without being sorted and discharged laterally, that is, a sorting operating posture on the pass side. Note that the flipper arms 33A and 33B both take the non-discharge operating posture when the operation of the article inspection device 1 stops or the air supply stops. However, the standby posture during the operation of the article inspection device 1 is not limited to the non-discharge operating posture, and the standby posture of either one of the flipper arms 33A or 33B can be set to the discharge operating posture.

[0033] Near the upstream end of the conveyor unit 12, which is the inlet side of the predetermined inspection section Z1 of the inspection unit 20, a first article detection sensor 15 for detecting the time point t0 when the article W is carried onto the conveyor unit 12 of the inspection unit 20 is disposed. Near the upstream end of the conveyor unit 13 of the sorting unit 30 on the downstream side of the predetermined inspection section Z1 (the inlet side of the sorting section Z2 in Fig. 3), a second article detection sensor 17 for a sorting operation trigger for detecting the transfer of the inspected article W onto the conveyor unit 13 of the sorting unit 30 is disposed. These first and second article detection sensors 15 and 17 are both composed of, for example, a light emitting and receiving type photoelectric sensor that emits light from a light emitting element and receives the light with a light receiving element, and output detection signals d1 and d2 when the light between the light emitting and receiving elements is blocked by the article W.

[0034] Here, the first and second article detection sensors 15 and 17 each have a function that enables calculation of the moving time Tx (first conveyance time) from the time point t0 when the article W is carried into the inspection unit 20 to the time point t1 when the transfer of the inspected article W to the sorting unit 30 is detected by detecting the tip E1 of the article W. The second article detection sensor 17 further has a function that enables calculation of the transfer completion time point when the load influence of the article W on the inspection unit 20 disappears due to the transfer to the sorting unit 30 as a specific conveyance time (for example, the conveyance time to the midpoint) from the detection time point t1 of the tip E1 of the article W, and a function that enables calculation of the start timing of the sorting operation in the subsequent sorting unit 30 and the time of that operation based on the detection time points t1 and t2 of the tip E1 and the rear end E2 of the article W.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, sensors 19A and 19B for confirming the discharge operation are provided on both sides in the conveyance path width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyor unit 13 that forms the sorting section Z2. When the inspected article W is discharged to either one side from the conveyor unit 13 by the discharge operation to either one side of the discharge mechanism 35 according to the sorting command signal, the sensors 19A and 19B for confirming the discharge operation are such that, for example, the sensor 19A for confirming the discharge operation is shielded by the article W being discharged. When the inspected article W is discharged to either the other side from the conveyor unit 13 by the discharge operation to either the other side of the discharge mechanism 35 according to the sorting command signal, the sensor 19B for confirming the discharge operation is shielded by the article W being discharged. That is, the sensors 19A and 19B for confirming the discharge operation are also configured as light-emitting and receiving type photoelectric sensors that receive the light emitted by a light-emitting element with a light-receiving element, similar to the article detection sensors 15 and 17. When the article W shields the light between the light-emitting and receiving elements, the article being discharged is detected and the discharge operation is confirmed.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the control unit 40 includes an inspection control unit 41, a sorting control unit 42, and a display operation unit 43. A weighing signal of the article W output from the weighing unit 22 is taken into the inspection control unit 41, and predetermined measurement and inspection processes are performed. Further, a display operation unit 43 for the operator to perform input operations and result confirmation is connected to the control unit 40.

[0037] The control unit 40 has a computer configuration including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface, and is configured to include, for example, a programmable controller that gives input / output signals to various drivers.

[0038] The predetermined measurement and inspection process in the inspection control unit 41 determines, for example, whether the measured weight of the article W based on the weighing signal from the weighing unit 22 is within the allowable range, exceeds the allowable range on the over side, or is below the allowable range on the under side. When a predetermined inspection time T1 (measurement time) has elapsed from the carry-in detection time (time) t0 by the first article detection sensor 15, the determination result is output as an OK signal, an NG1 signal, or an NG2 signal. The inspection control unit 41 has a plurality of measurement and inspection process programs for exerting its processing function.

[0039] Further, the sorting control unit 42 measures the timer for a predetermined storage holding time Td of the determination result from the time (t0 + T1) when a predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed from the carry-in time t0 (see FIG. 5) of the carried-in article W by the first article detection sensor 15. At the time of timeout (t0 + T1 + Td) when the storage holding time Td has elapsed, a sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 corresponding to the NG1 signal or NG2 signal from the inspection control unit 41 is output as a sorting command signal on the discharge side, or an OFF command signal for passing through to the subsequent conveyor unit 14 side without outputting either the NG1 signal or the NG2 signal corresponding to the OK signal is output to perform sorting control.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, specifically, the inspection control unit 41 includes, for example, a sampling circuit 44, a weight calculation means 45, a determination means 46, a determination result memory 47, an inspection time management timer 48 (inspection time management timer), and a product type registration memory 49. The sorting control unit 42 includes, for example, a holding time management timer 51, a delay time calculation unit 52, a delay time setting unit 53 (operation time setting means), and a sorting command output unit 55.

[0041] Here, when the sampling circuit 44 receives the detection signal d1 of the carried-in article W from the first article detection sensor 15, it is a circuit that closes the switch 44a at a predetermined measurement timing in response to the detection signal d1. The measurement timing is set according to a predetermined stabilization waiting time from the start of carrying the article W onto the conveyor unit 12 until the weighing signal stabilizes.

[0042] The weighing signal after the elapse of this stabilization waiting time is input to the weight calculation means 45 via the switch 44a, and the weight calculation means 45 calculates the weight value of the carried-in article W by means of average calculation or the like.

[0043] The weight calculated by the weight calculation means 45 is taken into the determination means 46 as the measured weight. In the determination means 46, it is compared with a preset allowable weight range, and a determination signal corresponding to the determination result is output. Note that the determination means 46 may also receive the previous inspection signal from the previous inspection machine and output a comprehensive determination result.

[0044] The determination signal output from the determination means 46 can be, for example, a 4-bit determination signal with NG1 being 0100, NG2 being 0010, and OK being 0001 when outputting including the previous inspection signal. If the previous inspection signal is OK, for example, the first bit is "0", and the determination result for the weight can be known from which bit position among the remaining 3 bits has a "1".

[0045] For example, when there is a "1" in the second bit of this 4-bit determination signal, it is a NG1 signal indicating an over determination that the weight measurement value of the article W exceeds the allowable range, and it is a signal that requests the output of a sorting command signal RJ1 that causes one of the flipper arms 33A and 33B arranged on both sides in the conveyance path width direction of the conveyor unit 13 of the sorting unit 30 to operate (move or maintain its posture) toward the article exclusion side for a predetermined operation time. Further, when there is a "1" in the third bit, it is a NG1 signal indicating an under determination that the weight measurement value is below the allowable range, and it is a signal that requests the output of a sorting command signal RJ2 that causes the other of the flipper arms 33A and 33B to operate toward the article exclusion side for a predetermined operation time. Furthermore, when there is a "1" in the fourth bit, it is an OK signal indicating a pass determination that the weight measurement value is within the allowable range, and it requests an OFF signal output (stopping the output of the sorting command signals RJ1 and RJ2) that requires either one of the flipper arms 33A and 33B to be held on the non-exclusion side (pass side) or returned to the non-exclusion side.

[0046] Note that when there is a "1" in the first bit of this 4-bit determination signal, although not shown in FIG. 5, as a NG determination due to an abnormality or defect occurring upstream of the inspection unit 20, it is possible to request either one of the flipper arms 33A and 33B to operate toward the article exclusion side.

[0047] The determination signal output from the determination means 46 is sequentially stored in the determination result memory 47. This determination result memory 47 is constituted by, for example, a FIFO memory, and is capable of sequentially storing a plurality of determination signals in the determination order while updating pointers of write and read addresses by the "1" bit signals necessarily included in the determination signals.

[0048] The inspection time management timer 48 is a delay timer that constitutes a delay means for the determination result output together with the determination result memory 47, and has a function of setting the timing of the determination signal output from the determination means 46 to a time point (t0 + T1) delayed by a predetermined inspection time T1 (first conveyance time) from the time point t0 of the carry-in detection of the article W by the article detection sensor 15.

[0049] The predetermined inspection time T1 set in the inspection time management timer 48 is based on the inspection unit passing time (L / V) of the center of gravity of the article W calculated based on the conveyance speed V of the inspection unit 20 and the machine length L of the inspection unit 20 (see FIG. 2), and is set for each article type within the time range from the time point t0 when the article W is detected by the first article detection sensor 15 until the article W is carried onto the conveyor unit 12 of the inspection unit 20 and all or part of the self-weight of the article W is input as a load to the weighing unit 22. Further, the predetermined inspection time T1 is set as a predetermined inspection time that includes, for at least a certain time required for weighing, the time during which the article W is supported only by the conveyor unit 12 of the inspection unit 20 and its center of gravity (which can be substituted solely by the midpoint in the conveyance direction length) moves along the conveyor unit 12.

[0050] In this way, the control unit 40 manages, by means of the inspection time management timer 48 of the inspection control unit 41, the inspection time T1 from the time point t0 when a specific point of interest of the article W, for example, the tip E1 of the article W shown in FIG. 1, reaches the carry-in detection position P0 detected by the first article detection sensor 15 until the inspection result of the article W in the inspection unit 20 is output from the determination means 46 as the first delay time required for the inspection and the output of its determination result.

[0051] The control unit 40 also manages, by means of the holding time management timer 51 of the sorting control unit 42, the storage holding time Td of the determination result corresponding to the sorting delay time from the time point t1 (see FIG. 1) when the inspection time T1 has elapsed until the inspected article W passes through the conveyance position P2 (see FIG. 3) suitable for the start of the sorting operation of the sorting unit 30 (here, waiting in the discharge posture or non-discharge posture corresponding to the determination result) and reaches the discharge start position P3 (sorting operation position) where the discharge of the article W by either one of the flipper arms 33A or 33B in the discharge posture becomes possible as the second delay time.

[0052] Then, the reading from the determination result memory 47 of the determination result by the determination means 46 is executed at the time point t0 + T1 when the sorting command output unit 55 of the sorting control unit 42 receives the determination output notification signal from the inspection time management timer 48 via the delay time calculation unit 52, and at the time point when the memory retention time Td further elapses from that time point. During that period, the determination result signal read out from the determination result memory 47 to the sorting command output unit 55 will be held.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the retention time management timer 51 is activated at the time point (t0 + T1) when a predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed from the first detection time point t0, which is the time point when the article W is detected as being carried in by the article detection sensor 15, and the output signal from the inspection time management timer 48 is received. From the time point t1 when the inspection time T1 has elapsed to the time point (t0 + T1 + Td) that is further delayed by the memory retention time Td, the determination result from the determination means 46 is stored and held in the determination result memory 47. This retention time management timer 51 may be configured to output a signal to release (delete) the memory at the current read address of the determination result memory 47 at the time point (t0 + T1 + Td) that is further delayed by the memory retention time Td from the time point t1 when the inspection time T1 has elapsed.

[0054] The retention time management timer 51 is also configured to input the time signal to the delay time calculation unit 52 together with the preset memory retention time Td at the time point (t0 + T1) when the output signal from the inspection time management timer 48 is received.

[0055] The delay time calculation unit 52 includes a timing means 52a, a time calculation means 52b, a memory 52c, and a correspondence determination means 52d (simply denoted as "correspondence determination" in FIG. 5). The delay time calculation unit 52 is configured to output time signals related to the start of the sorting operation to the sorting command output unit 55 at the output time point (t0 + T1) of the inspection time management timer 48 and at the time point (t0 + T1 + Td) when the memory retention time Td elapses thereafter, respectively.

[0056] That is, the delay time calculation unit 52 can command the sorting command output unit 55 to read the determination result from the determination result memory 47 and wait in the discharge posture of the discharge mechanism 35 corresponding to the inspection result by notifying the sorting command output unit 55 of the output time point t1 (= t0 + T1) of the inspection time management timer 48. Further, the delay time calculation unit 52, on the condition that the front end E1 and the rear end E2 of the article W are respectively detected by the article detection sensor 17 for the sorting operation trigger during the conveyance time Td until the time point (t0 + T1 + Td) when the memory retention time Td has elapsed, has a function of determining by the corresponding determination means 52d that the article W is the article W corresponding to the inspection result of the inspected article held in the determination result memory 47.

[0057] The delay time calculation unit 52 further cooperates with the delay time setting unit 53 to determine the conveyance direction length of the article W, the conveyance speed V of the conveyor unit 13 (a speed equal to or higher than the conveyance speed in the inspection unit 20), and, when the sorting drive unit 32 has a single-acting air cylinder that returns to the standby position by a spring force, the operation times of its extension side and contraction side, etc. Based on these, the discharge posture holding time Trj (see FIG. 1), which is the output time of the sorting commands RJ1 and RJ2 on the discharge side, is calculated and set as a required conveyance time longer than the memory retention time Td and corresponding to the conveyance direction length of the article W so as to complete the discharge operation of the discharge mechanism 35 for the article W to be excluded without hindering the passage of the articles passing through the front and rear paths.

[0058] The output time of the sorting command (the discharge-side sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 or the return command OFF in FIGS. 2 and 4) from the sorting command output unit 55 to the sorting drive unit 32 corresponds to the above-described discharge posture holding time Trj. Basically, from the time when the article W reaches the conveyance position P1 (see FIG. 1) suitable for starting the distribution posture control of the flipper arms 33A and 33B in response to the sorting command, the article W is conveyed to the discharge start position P3 where it starts to contact the flipper arm 33A or 33B, and further considering the moving distance, conveyance speed, and slippage of the article W, etc. until it is discharged outside the conveyance path laterally from the conveyor unit 13, it is set to a necessary and sufficient time for each type of the article W.

[0059] Specifically, when the relative postures of both flipper arms 33A and 33B are changed in response to a sorting command signal so that the flipper-type discharge mechanism 35 makes one flipper arm 33A assume a posture on the article discharge side that is inclined as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3(a), first, before the article W to be discharged reaches the conveyance position P2 shown in FIG. 3(a) or FIG. 3(b), the sorting command output unit 55 receives, via the hold time management timer 51 and the delay time calculation unit 52, the output of the inspection time management timer 48 that indicates the elapse of the first delay time (t0 + T1), and outputs, for example, a sorting command RJ1 to the discharge mechanism 35 at that time (t0 + T1). As a result, between the time point (t0 + T1) when the first delay time elapses and the time when a predetermined memory hold time Td elapses, both flipper arms 33A and 33B are set to relative postures corresponding to the sorting command RJ1, and a standby state can be set such that the article W to be discharged is oriented in the discharge direction as it is conveyed.

[0060] Therefore, when setting the predetermined memory hold time Td for the control unit 40 to store and hold the determination result of the determination means 46 in the determination result memory 47 by the inspection control unit 41, at the time of variety registration for specifying or selectively setting main parameters together with the variety name and variety number in order to prepare for a specific operation mode, for example, the inspection conditions of the article W, first, the delay time calculation unit 52 is operated by the delay time setting unit 53 of the sorting control unit 42, and based on the specifications of the article inspection apparatus 1 and the main parameters set as the variety information of the article W, for example, a delay time corresponding to the sorting delay time until the article W reaches the discharge start position P3 is calculated, and an automatic setting process for the memory hold time Td with that value as the initial value is executed.

[0061] Here, the delay time setting unit 53 has a function of acquiring the calculated value from the delay time calculation unit 52 and storing it in the variety registration memory 49, reading out the main parameters and the like used in the calculation by the delay time calculation unit 52 from the variety registration memory 49, and controlling each time calculation process by the delay time calculation unit 52 in response to a request operation input from the display operation unit 43.

[0062] After the automatic setting process and before actually performing the inspection of the article W, the control unit 40 measures the variation width of the operation timing when using the initial value of the memory holding time Td through a plurality of actual measurement operations as described below. Based on the measurement results, the value of the memory holding time Td is adjusted by the delay time calculation unit 52 so that the control unit 40 can shift to the aforementioned standby state when the article W to be discharged reaches the conveyance position P2 suitable for the start of the sorting operation. Then, the delay time setting unit 53 updates and sets the value of the memory holding time Td stored in the product type registration memory 49 using the calculated value.

[0063] In the multiple actual measurement operations at this adjustment stage, as shown in FIG. 1, for a plurality of inspection target samples of articles Wa, Wb, Wc (a larger number of samples, for example, 5 or 10 samples may also be used), the conveyance time Tx (the first conveyance time) from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, or t0c when the tip E1 of each article Wa, Wb, or Wc is detected by the first article detection sensor 15 for the start of loading into the inspection unit 20 to the second detection time points t1a, t1b, or t1c when the tip E1 is detected by the second article detection sensor 17 is actually measured. At the same time, the total conveyance time T2 (the second conveyance time) from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, or t0c to the third detection time points t2a, t2b, or t2c when the rear end E2 of each inspection target sample Wa, Wb, Wc is detected by the second article detection sensor 17 is actually measured.

[0064] Here, the first detection time point t0 refers to the time point when the first article detection sensor 15 starts to be blocked by the tip E1 of the article W being loaded into the inspection unit 20. The second detection time point t1 refers to the time point when the second article detection sensor 17 starts to be blocked by the tip E1 of the inspected article W being loaded into the sorting unit 30. The third detection time point t2 refers to the time point when the light-blocking state of the second article detection sensor 17 is released (returns to the light-receiving state) due to the passage of the rear end E2 of the inspected article W.

[0065] Then, based on those measured results, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 calculate the respective conveyance times Tx (delay times) from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, t0c to the second detection time points t1a, t1b, t1c for the plurality of articles Wa to Wc, and detect the time Min(Tx) that is the minimum value among the respective conveyance times Tx. Also, the respective conveyance times (Tx + Ty) from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, t0c to the third detection time points t2a, t2b, t2c for the plurality of articles Wa to Wc are calculated, and the time Max(Tx + Ty) that is the maximum value among the respective conveyance times (Tx + Ty) is detected.

[0066] Furthermore, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 set the time Min(Tx) that is the minimum value among the plurality of measured moving times Tx measured starting from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, t0c for the plurality of articles Wa to Wc as the minimum necessary delay time required for the inspection in the inspection unit 20 and the output of its result, that is, as a parameter for the predetermined inspection time T1 (measurement time) used for the inspection time management timer 48, and the time difference (= Max(Tx + Ty) - Min(Tx)) obtained by subtracting the time Min(Tx) that is the minimum value among the plurality of moving times Tx from the time Max(Tx + Ty) that is the maximum value among the plurality of delay times (Tx + Ty) measured starting from the first detection time points t0a, t0b, t0c is set as a parameter for the predetermined storage holding time Td used for the holding time management timer 51, which is the time for which the inspection result in the inspection unit 20 should be stored and held in the determination result memory 47 until the sorting operation in the sorting unit 30.

[0067] Also, when the discharge mechanism 35 performs the discharge operation of the NG product in the sorting unit 30, since the article W to be discharged is discharged outside the conveyance path after the elapse of the storage holding time Td, the control unit 40 holds the output of the discharge-side sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 from the sorting command output unit 55 and holds the posture of the flipper arms 33A, 33B. The discharge posture holding time Trj confirms the success or failure of the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism 35 after the elapse of the storage holding time Td based on the presence or absence of light shielding of the sensors 19A, 19B for discharge operation confirmation, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0068] That is, from the first detection time t0 when the article W to be discharged is detected to start being carried into the inspection unit 20 until reaching the discharge start position P3 where contact with the flipper arm 33A or 33B starts, and while being directed in the discharge direction by the flipper arm 33A or 33B until the sensor 19A or 19B for discharge operation confirmation starts to be blocked, the movement time is defined as Trx. Regarding a plurality of articles Wa, Wb, Wc, Wd, We, taking the light blocking time of the sensor 19A or 19B for discharge operation confirmation as Tz (for example, the time from the light blocking start time t4a to the light blocking end time t5a in FIG. 4), the movement time Trx and the light blocking time Tz from the first detection time t0 are actually measured for each of them.

[0069] Then, based on these measurement results, the minimum time Min(Trx) of the plurality of movement times Trx from the first detection time t0 to the light blocking start times t4a, t4b, t4c, t4d, t4e for the plurality of articles Wa to We is detected by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, and the maximum time Max(Trx + Tz) of the plurality of delay times (Trx + Tz) from the first detection time t0 to the light blocking end times t5a, t5b, t5c, t5d, t5e for the plurality of articles Wa to We is detected. Then, the time difference Trd = Max(Trx + Tz) - Min(Trx) corresponding to the difference between these values is calculated, and the discharge posture holding time Trj and the operation confirmation time Tc that can effectively include the variation are set.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control unit 40 further has a timing adjustment screen generation means 60 that generates the timing adjustment screen 61 shown in FIG. 6 in cooperation with the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 in response to a request operation input from the display operation unit 43.

[0071] On the timing adjustment screen 61, there is a sequence display area 62a that shows the measurement order of the measured values as, for example, positive integers 1, 2, 3, ··· (hereinafter referred to as n for any number), a moving time display area 62b that displays the plurality of measured values xn of the conveyance time Tx as the moving time in the order of measurement by the delay time calculation unit 52 as the conveyance time measurement means of the sorting control unit 42, and a light shielding time display area 62c that displays the measured values yn of the light shielding time Ty during which the second article detection sensor 17 is shielded from light in the order of measurement following the conveyance time Tx of the measured value xn. A measured value display unit 62 having these is provided.

[0072] The measured value display unit 62 is configured to display, on the screen in a comparable manner for a plurality of measured values xn of the conveyance time Tx by the delay time calculation unit 52 (conveyance time measurement means) of the sorting control unit 42 and a plurality of measured values yn of the light shielding time Ty during which the second article detection sensor 17 is shielded from light following the conveyance time Tx of the measured value xn, respectively, in the order of measurement, in response to a predetermined adjustment request input from the display operation unit 43 by the operator. Note that the measured value yn of the light shielding time Ty during which the second article detection sensor 17 is shielded from light is a time measurement value corresponding to the conveyance direction length Lw of the article W (see Fig. 3(a)) measured as the article passage time from the second detection time point t1 to the third detection time point t2 by the delay time calculation unit 52. The delay time calculation unit 52 outputs the measured value yn, and the measured value is displayed on the timing adjustment screen 61 in the order of measurement as the light shielding time yn. The positive integer n is, for example, 3 or more and 10 or less.

[0073] On the timing adjustment screen 61, there are further provided an automatic adjustment button 63 that generates a predetermined adjustment request when a touch operation input is made, a delete button 64 for deleting the displayed measured values xn, yn when the displayed measured values xn, yn become abnormal values due to some disturbance during adjustment, etc., and an adjustment result display area 65 that displays the delay time corresponding to the minimum time Min(Tx) among the plurality of measured values xn (x1, x2, x3 ···) of the conveyance time Tx and also displays the operation time corresponding to the storage holding time Td obtained by subtracting the minimum time Min(Tx) from the maximum time Max(Tx + Ty) of the total conveyance time based on the plurality of measured values xn, yn of the conveyance time Tx and the light shielding time Ty.

[0074] Here, the "delay time" displayed in the adjustment result display area 65 is, as described above, calculated as the minimum time Min(Tx) among a plurality of measured values xn of the conveyance time Tx by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, and when the respective display counts n of the measured value xn of the conveyance time Tx and the measured value (xn + yn) of the conveyance time (Tx + Ty) reach a predetermined plurality, for example, 3. That is the calculated value.

[0075] Also, the "operation time" displayed in the adjustment result display area 65 is obtained by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 calculating a plurality of measured values (x1 + y1), (x2 + y2), (x3 + y3) ··· of the conveyance time (Tx + Ty), detecting the maximum time Max(Tx + Ty) among those calculated values, and then corresponds to the time difference obtained by subtracting the minimum time Min(Tx) from the calculated maximum time Max(Tx + Ty).

[0076] Furthermore, in addition to the respective display counts n of the measured value xn of the conveyance time Tx and the measured value (xn + yn) of the conveyance time (Tx + Ty) in the timing adjustment screen 61 reaching a predetermined plurality, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 are configured to calculate the memory holding time Td on the condition that an operation input requesting adjustment of the operation timing of the sorting unit 30 is made by touching the automatic adjustment button 63.

[0077] In addition, when the memory holding time Td is calculated by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, the timing adjustment screen generation means 60 is configured to display the memory holding time Td and the minimum time Min(Tx) of the measured value xn of the conveyance time Tx on the timing adjustment screen 61.

[0078] In this embodiment, as described above, the delay time calculation unit 52 of the sorting control unit 42 measures the conveyance time Tx, which is the first conveyance time from the first detection time t0 to the second detection time t1, a plurality of times in response to a predetermined adjustment request input from the display operation unit 43, and measures the conveyance time (Tx + Ty), which is the second conveyance time from the first detection time t0 to the third detection time t2, a plurality of times, and functions as conveyance time measurement means for outputting a plurality of measurement values respectively.

[0079] Further, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 of the sorting control unit 42 function as operation time setting means for setting the storage holding time Td of the inspection result corresponding to the time difference between the minimum time Min(Tx) in the plurality of measurement values of the first conveyance time Tx and the maximum time Max(Tx + Ty) in the plurality of measurement values of the second conveyance time (Tx + Ty).

[0080] Furthermore, the inspection time management timer 48 measures the predetermined inspection time T1 required from the first detection time t0 to the output of the article inspection result by the inspection unit 20 until the minimum time Min(Tx) in the plurality of measurement values of the first conveyance time Tx elapses from the first detection time t0, while the holding time management timer 51 measures the storage holding time Td of the inspection result as the time from the second detection time t1 until the inspected article W reaches the conveyance position P2 suitable for the start of the operation of the discharge mechanism 35.

[0081] Then, when receiving the output of the inspection time management timer 48 indicating the elapse of the predetermined inspection time T1 at the time point (t0 + T1), the sorting command output unit 55 starts outputting a sorting command signal to make the discharge mechanism 35 standby in a state where the discharge operation is possible, and when the storage holding time Td of the inspection result elapses from that time point, the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism 35 can be executed.

[0082] Further, the holding time management timer 51 and the delay time calculation unit 52 of the sorting control unit 42 function as correspondence determination means for determining that the article W corresponds to the inspection result when the leading end E1 and the trailing end E2 of the article W are detected by the second article detection sensor 17 from the time point (t0 + T1) when a predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed until the storage holding time Td of the inspection result has elapsed.

[0083] In the present embodiment, further, discharge operation confirmation sensors 19A and 19B are provided on at least one side, for example, both sides in the conveyance path width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sorting section Z2 of the conveyance path. When an adjustment and preparation operation in which an operator passes a sample of the article W through the inspection unit 20 is required and executed, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 start from the first detection time point t0 until the article W to be discharged reaches the discharge start position P3 where it starts to contact the flipper arm 33A or 33B which is the sorting member of the discharge mechanism 35, and while being directed in the discharge direction by the flipper arm 33A or 33B, measure the moving time Trx until the discharge operation confirmation sensor 19A or 19B starts to be blocked, and the time Tz for blocking the discharge operation confirmation sensor 19A or 19B, respectively, for a plurality of articles Wa to We, and detect the minimum value time Min(Trx) among the plurality of measured moving times Trx and the maximum value time Max(Trx + Tz) among the plurality of delay times (Trx + Tz), and then calculate the time difference Trd = Max(Trx + Tz) - Min(Trx) corresponding to the difference between these detected values, and set a discharge posture holding time Trj and an operation confirmation time Tc that can include variations.

[0084] Next, the operation will be described.

[0085] In the article inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the article W to be inspected is sequentially carried into the conveyor unit 12 on the inspection unit 20 side from the conveyor unit 11 for a running start at a predetermined conveyance pitch and conveyance speed V, each article W is detected by the first article detection sensor 15 for carry-in detection at the entrance side of the inspection section Z1, and the detection signal d1 (see FIG. 5) is output from the first article detection sensor 15.

[0086] Also, the load applied from the conveyor unit 12 into which the article W has been loaded to the weighing table 21 is measured by the weighing unit 22, a weighing signal corresponding to the load is output from the weighing unit 22 to the control unit 40, and when it is taken into the inspection control unit 41, the article weight is calculated by the weight calculation means 45, and a determination signal corresponding to the determination result by the determination means 46 is written and stored in the determination result memory 47 at the output time point (t0 + T1) of the inspection time management timer 48.

[0087] Furthermore, the determination result (OK, NG1 or NG2) for each article stored in the determination result memory 47 is held so as to be readable from the determination result memory 47 to the sorting command output unit 55 until a predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed from the time point t0 when each article W is loaded, and further until the time point (t0 + T1 + Td) when the memory holding time Td has elapsed.

[0088] Then, according to the sorting command from the sorting command output unit 55, the sorting drive unit 32 of the sorting unit 30 operates, and either the flipper arms 33A, 33B are driven to a predetermined sorting discharge posture shown by a virtual line in FIG. 3(a) or FIG. 3(b), or both flipper arms 33A, 33B are returned or / and held in the non-sorting discharge posture shown by a solid line in the figure, so that each article W is sorted in the sorting direction according to its inspection result.

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, prior to such normal inspection and sorting operations, a predetermined setting request Rqm for requesting a specific operation mode is made by the display operation unit 43, and main parameter settings are made in the specific operation mode such as at the time of product registration. And at that time, based on the main parameters, the inspection control unit 41 automatically sets a predetermined inspection time T1, a memory holding time Td, and a discharge posture holding time Trj, respectively.

[0090] Next, as described above, in the adjustment stage after automatic setting, the variation range of the operation timing when using the initial value of the memory holding time Td automatically set by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 of the sorting control unit 42 is measured by a plurality of actual measurement operations using article samples. Based on the results, the predetermined inspection time T1, the memory holding time Td, and the discharge posture holding time Trj are adjusted and updated so as to absorb the variations in the actually measured operation timing respectively.

[0091] FIG. 7 shows an example of a schematic adjustment procedure for the predetermined inspection time T1 and the memory holding time Td in this adjustment stage. When a predetermined adjustment request operation input is made to the display operation unit 43 and the timing adjustment screen 61 is generated by the timing adjustment screen generation means 60, it enters the adjustment stage using this timing adjustment screen 61.

[0092] In FIGS. 6 and 7, first, it waits until the automatic adjustment button 63 in the timing adjustment screen 61 is pressed (touch operation) (when NO in step S11). When the automatic adjustment button 63 is pressed (when YES in step S11), next, it is determined whether the delete button 64 has been pressed (step S12). If the delete button 64 has not been pressed (when NO in step S12), then the first conveyance time Tx, which is the moving time, and the light shielding time Ty are actually measured by the delay time calculation unit 52 (step S13), and their measured values xn, yn are listed and displayed (step S14).

[0093] Next, when the actual measurement number n reaches a plurality of predetermined values, the minimum time T1 = Min(Tx) among the plurality of measured values xn of the first transfer time Tx, the maximum time T2 = Max(Tx + Ty) among the measured values xn + yn of the second transfer time (Tx + Ty), and the storage holding time Td required for the storage holding operation in the determination result memory 47 corresponding to the time difference (T2 - T1) between these times T1 and T2 are calculated (step S15). Then, these times T1, T2, and Td are updated and set as parameters adjusted based on the actual measurement results. A predetermined inspection time T1 related to the inspection and result output of the inspection unit 20 is used as the delay time, and the storage holding time Td related to the storage holding operation of the determination result memory 47 is used as the operation time and displayed in the timing adjustment screen 61 (step S16).

[0094] Next, it is determined whether or not the number of measurements has reached a preset number of measurements. If not (in the case of NO in step S17), the processes after step S12 are executed in the same manner as immediately after the adjustment button 63 is pressed. When the delete button 64 is pressed (touch operation) in step S12, next, after highlighting (and further moving the highlighting if necessary) the measurement value display that is the option for deletion, the measurement value display of the deletion target is deleted (step S18). If the delete button 64 is not pressed again within a predetermined time, the processes after the next actual measurement step S13 are executed.

[0095] After such an adjustment stage, the predetermined inspection time T1, the storage holding time Td, and the discharge posture holding time Trj, which are updated to include the variation due to the transfer influence as the adjustment amount and can effectively absorb it, are used in the inspection control unit 41 and the sorting control unit 42 in the control unit 40. Under this state, the weight inspection of the article W in the article inspection apparatus 1 and the sorting process according to the inspection result are executed.

[0096] At this time, the inspection unit 20 cooperates with the inspection control unit 41 to perform weight measurement by the weighing unit 22 and weight value calculation by the weight calculation means 45 within a predetermined inspection section Z1 of the conveyance unit 10 on the article W after variety registration, and the determination means 46 compares the weight with a preset allowable weight range for the variety of the article W to determine whether the weight of the article W is within the allowable range (pass), exceeds the allowable range (over), or is below the allowable range (under), and stores the determination result as OK, NG1, or NG2 in the determination result memory 47 at the elapse of a predetermined inspection time T1.

[0097] Next, until the output of the holding time management timer 51 that notifies the time point t2 after the elapse of the memory holding time Td from the time point t1 when the predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed, the determination result of the inspected article W is held in a readable manner by the determination result memory 47 for the sorting command output unit 55, and during that time, that is, between the time point t1 when the predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed and the time point t2 when the memory holding time Td has elapsed, when the article W shields the second article detection sensor 17, it is determined that the article W is the article corresponding to the determination result being held in memory.

[0098] Also, at the time point t1 when the predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed, an output signal (t0 + T1) notifying the elapse of the predetermined inspection time T1 is sent from the delay time calculation unit 52 that acquires the time signal (t0 + T1) at that time and the information of the memory holding time Td via the holding time management timer 51 to the sorting command output unit 55. Depending on the determination result stored and held in the determination result memory 47, when the determination result is an over determination (NG1) or an under determination (NG2), it is output as a standby command output request signal for generating the sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 signal on the discharge side as a standby command, or when the determination result of the determination means 46 is a pass determination (OK), it is output as a return or OFF holding command request signal for passing the article W through without discharging it outside the conveyance path.

[0099] Next, when the discharge posture holding time Trj elapses from the time point t1 when the predetermined inspection time T1 has elapsed, an output signal (t0 + Trj) is output from the delay time calculation unit 52 to notify the sorting command output unit 55 of the elapse of the discharge posture holding time Trj, and a request for a return command (OFF) for generating an OFF signal for instructing the sorting command output unit 55 to cancel the RJ1 or RJ2 signal, which is a sorting command on the discharge side, is made.

[0100] Then, the sorting drive unit 32 of the sorting unit 30 executes a sorting operation, a standby operation, and a discharge operation in the sorting direction corresponding to the inspection result of the article W determined by the determination means 46 according to the sorting command from the sorting command output unit 55. The discharge operation here may include a case where the article W is ejected along with the return operation of the flipper arm 33A or 33B of the sorting unit 30 in response to the output of the OFF signal (for example, a return operation by the spring return of a single-acting air cylinder).

[0101] As described above, in the article inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in this embodiment, the time required from the start of article inspection to the start of the sorting operation is managed separately into the predetermined inspection time T1 required until the output of the article inspection result and the storage holding time Td of the inspection result until the start of the sorting operation. When there is a predetermined adjustment requirement input, the first conveyance time Tx from the first detection time point t0 of the tip E1 of the article W to the second detection time point t1 and the second conveyance time (Tx + Ty) from the first detection time point t0 to the third detection time point t2 by the second article detection sensor 17 of the rear end E2 of the article W are each measured a plurality of times, and the storage holding time Td of the inspection result corresponding to the time difference between the minimum time Min(Tx) of the first conveyance time and the maximum time Max(Tx + Ty) of the second conveyance time is set by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53.

[0102] Then, the time Min(Tx) from the first detection time t0 to the minimum time elapsed of the first conveyance time T1 is timer-measured by the inspection time management timer 48 as a predetermined inspection time T1 until the inspection result of the inspected article W is output. The storage retention time Td of the inspection result is measured by the retention time management timer 51 as the delay time from the second detection time t1 until the inspected article W reaches the discharge start position P3. At the output time (t0 + T1) of the inspection time management timer 48 that notifies the elapse of the predetermined inspection time T1, the sorting command output unit 55 makes the discharge mechanism 35 enter a standby state where it can perform the discharge operation. Further, the discharge operation posture of the discharge mechanism 35 is maintained until the time (t0 + T1 + Td) when the storage retention time Td of the inspection result elapses from that output time. When the article W that has reached the discharge start position P3 comes into contact with either one of the flipper arms 33A and 33B that take the relative posture on the discharge side, the discharge operation according to the inspection result is started.

[0103] Also, at this time, if the tip E1 and the rear end E2 of the article W are detected by the second article detection sensor 17 between the time when the predetermined inspection time T1 elapses and the time when the storage retention time Td of the inspection result elapses, the corresponding determination means 52d of the delay time calculation unit 52 determines that the article W is an article corresponding to the inspection result of the inspected article. Therefore, even if the article conveyance speed V is increased or the variety is such that the handover time from the inspection unit 20 to the sorting unit 30 side is likely to vary, a reliable sorting operation can be executed. As a result, even an inexperienced user can easily set the reliable sorting operation timing only by performing a predetermined adjustment requirement input, and the article inspection apparatus is obtained.

[0104] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the control unit 40 generates a timing adjustment screen 61 that enables the measured value xn of the first conveyance time Tx and the measured value xn+yn of the second conveyance time (Tx+Ty) to be displayed on the screen in the order of measurement and be comparable in response to a predetermined adjustment request input by the timing adjustment screen generation means 60. Further, the control unit 40, together with the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, specifies the minimum time Min(Tx) among the plurality of measured values xn of the first conveyance time Tx and the maximum time Max(Tx+Ty) among the plurality of measured values xn+yn of the second conveyance time (Tx+Ty) on the condition that the respective display counts n of the measured values xn and xn+yn have reached a predetermined plurality, and calculates the storage retention time Td of the inspection result. Therefore, by referring to the measured value xn of the first conveyance time Tx and the measured value xn+yn of the second conveyance time (Tx+Ty) that are displayed on the timing adjustment screen 61 in the order of measurement and are comparable, it is possible to easily grasp the degree of variation of each, and it is possible to intuitively, easily, and accurately grasp the predetermined inspection time T1, which is the starting point for setting the discharge mechanism 35 to the standby state where the discharge operation is possible, as the minimum time Min(Tx) of the first conveyance time Tx.

[0105] Also, in the present embodiment, in addition to the respective display counts n of the measured value xn of the first conveyance time Tx and the measured value xn+yn of the second conveyance time (Tx+Ty) reaching a predetermined plurality, the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53 are configured to calculate the storage retention time Td of the inspection result on the condition that an operation input for requesting adjustment of the operation timing of the sorting unit 30 has been made. Therefore, the operation timing of the sorting unit can be accurately adjusted when necessary.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the inspection result storage retention time Td is calculated by the delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, the timing adjustment screen generation means 60 displays the inspection result storage retention time Td in the timing adjustment screen 61 as the operation time, and can also display the minimum time Min(Tx) of the measured value xn of the first conveyance time Tx by the delay time calculation unit 52 in the timing adjustment screen 61 as the delay time. Therefore, in addition to the predetermined inspection time T1, the inspection result storage retention time Td is displayed on the screen, so that the start timing of the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism 35 can be intuitively, easily, and accurately grasped.

[0107] In addition, in the present embodiment, the delay time calculation unit 52 measures the article passing time Ty from the second detection time point t1 to the third detection time point t2 and outputs the measured value yn of the time corresponding to the conveyance direction length Lw of the article W. Therefore, from the display of the measured value yn of the article passing time Ty, it is possible to accurately grasp that the article passing time Ty is set according to the article length Lw, and the variation in the conveyance state due to slip or the like of the article W near the discharge start position P3 from the variation in the measured value yn of the article passing time Ty.

[0108] Also, in the present embodiment, a discharge operation confirmation sensor 19A or / and 19B is provided on at least one side in the conveyance path width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction in the sorting section Z2 of the conveyance path. The delay time calculation unit 52 and the delay time setting unit 53, which serve as delay time setting means, measure the moving time Trx from the first detection time t0 until the article W to be discharged reaches the conveyance position P3 where it starts to contact the flipper arm 33A or 33B of the discharge mechanism 35 and starts to block the discharge operation confirmation sensor 19A or 19B while being directed in the discharge direction by the flipper arm 33A or 33B, and the time Tz for blocking the discharge operation confirmation sensor 19A or 19B, respectively, for a plurality of articles Wa to We. Then, after detecting the time T3 = Min(Trx) which is the minimum value among the measured plurality of moving times and the time T4 = Max(Trx + Tz) which is the maximum value among the plurality of delay times (Trx + Tz), a time difference (T4 - T3) corresponding to the difference between these detected values is calculated, and a discharge posture holding time Trd and an operation confirmation time Tc that can include variations are set. Therefore, even when the article conveyance speed V is increased or the variety is such that the relay time from the inspection unit 20 to the sorting unit 30 side is likely to vary, in addition to being able to perform a reliable sorting operation, a reliable sorting operation confirmation work becomes possible. As a result, when a malfunction or abnormality occurs in the return spring or the like of the single-acting air cylinder of the discharge mechanism 35, the abnormality can be detected quickly and accurately.

[0109] As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the article conveyance speed V is increased or the variety is such that the relay time from the inspection unit 20 to the sorting unit 30 side is likely to vary, a reliable sorting operation can be performed, and an article inspection apparatus 1 that can easily set the timing of a reliable sorting operation even for an inexperienced user can be provided.

[0110] (Another embodiment) FIG. 8 shows an article inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] First, the configuration will be described.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the article inspection apparatus 101 of the present embodiment includes a conveyance unit 10 that conveys an article W along a predetermined conveyance path, an inspection unit 20 that inspects a predetermined quality state of the article W within a predetermined inspection section Z1 (see FIG. 3) in the conveyance path, an air jet type sorting unit 130 that operates in response to an input of a sorting command signal within a predetermined sorting section Z2 and sorts the inspected article W inspected by the inspection unit 20 according to the inspection result, and a control unit 40 that controls the conveyance unit 10, the inspection unit 20, and the sorting unit 30. It is a weight sorting method.

[0113] Note that, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the sorting unit 130 of the air jet type and the control of its operation are different from those of the above-described embodiment, but other points are the same as or similar to those of the embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, for the configurations that are the same as or similar to those of the embodiment, the reference numerals used in the embodiment will be used, and the differences from the embodiment will be described.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the sorting unit 130 includes air nozzles 131A and 131B that are arranged on one side in the conveyance path width direction of the conveyor unit 13 in substantially the same direction and are spaced apart from each other in the conveyance direction by a predetermined nozzle pitch Lnp, an air supply control mechanism unit 135 that selectively supplies compressed air to both air nozzles 131A and 131B, and a plurality of chutes (not shown) that collect a plurality of discharged and dropped articles corresponding to the air nozzles 131A and 131B.

[0115] Each of the air nozzles 131A and 131B is, for example, a flat type having one or a plurality of blowout ports, but may be one in which a plurality of small-diameter spray holes or slits are arranged in a row so as to be spaced apart from each other in the conveyance direction by a predetermined pitch, or one in which a plurality of spray holes or slits are arranged in a plurality of rows so as to be spaced apart from each other in the conveyance direction and the height direction by their respective arrangement pitches.

[0116] Further, the air nozzles 131A and 131B may be arranged on both sides in the width direction of the conveyor unit 13 such that the blowing directions of the compressed air from their respective outlets intersect each other. Also, each of the air nozzles 131A and 131B may be arranged with an inclination angle of about 1 / 2 or less of its injection angle so that the central axis of each of the air nozzles 131A and 131B is inclined downstream in the conveying direction when the injection angle is greater than 0 degrees (straight) and less than 30 degrees, for example.

[0117] The air supply control mechanism unit 135 includes one and the other solenoid valves 132A and 132B connected to the one and the other air nozzles 131A and 131B, an air tank 133 communicating with the corresponding air nozzle 131A or / and 131B via the solenoid valve 132A or / and 132B that is open when any one or both of these solenoid valves 132A and 132B are open, and a filter regulator 134 that filters the air (compressed air) from the air source 91 to a predetermined quality and controls it to a set pressure.

[0118] This sorting unit 130 serves as a discharge mechanism unit that, in response to the input of sorting command signals from the sorting control unit 42 to the solenoid valves 132A and 132B, discharges the article W that has entered a specific discharge biasing section Za or / and Zb on the conveyor unit 13 forming the sorting section Z2 (sorting conveyance path) to the outside of the sorting conveyance path by the compressed air jetted from the corresponding air nozzle 131A or / and 131B via the solenoid valve 132A or / and 132B that is open.

[0119] In the present embodiment, the timing for injecting compressed air from the air nozzle 131A is set to be substantially the same as the timing when the article W reaches the contact start position P3 and is directed in the discharge direction in the above-described one embodiment. In addition to the conveyance distance Lrj from the tip detection position by the second article detection sensor 17 in FIG. 8 to a single upstream of the opening of the air nozzle 131A, the position near where the article W is conveyed by a conveyance direction length Lt that is approximately half of the conveyance direction length Lw of the article W corresponds to the contact start position P3 in one embodiment, and this is the timing for the air jet to be blown.

[0120] In addition, the timing for injecting compressed air from the air nozzle 131B is set to a timing delayed by a predetermined time (Lnp / V2) according to the nozzle pitch Lnp and the conveyance speed V2 of the article W in the sorting unit 30 with respect to the air nozzle 131A.

[0121] The main parameters such as each set time used for controlling the spraying timing are automatically set in advance according to the device specifications, the size and weight of the article W as in the case of one embodiment, and then adjusted based on the actual measurement results and updated.

[0122] In the present embodiment, due to the difference in the sorting method, there is no need to put the discharge mechanism 35 in a standby state in advance before the article W reaches the contact start position P3 as in the case of having the flipper arms 33A and 33B, or to make the storage retention time Td of the determination result memory 47 and the output periods of the sorting commands RJ1 and RJ2 on the discharge side different. Further, by updating the pointer on the reading side of the determination result memory 47 with the output t0 + T1 + Td of the retention time management timer 51, the determination result can be read out and output to the sorting command output 55 side at the required timing.

[0123] Also in the present embodiment, effects different from those of the above-described one embodiment can be obtained.

[0124] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the sorting unit method uses a pneumatic actuator in all cases, but it is conceivable to replace the sorting unit 30 and the sorting unit 130 with various conventionally known sorting devices. Also, in all embodiments, the article inspection method measures the weight of the article W, but it is conceivable to replace the inspection unit 20 with devices of various conventionally known article inspection methods.

[0125] As described above, the article inspection device of the present invention can execute a reliable sorting operation even when the article conveyance speed is increased or the transfer time from the inspection unit to the sorting unit side varies for different article types, and can easily set the reliable sorting operation timing even for an inexperienced user. Thus, the present invention can provide an article inspection device. Such a present invention is useful for all article inspection devices including an inspection unit for inspecting articles and a sorting unit that performs a sorting operation according to the inspection results.

Explanation of Signs

[0126] 1, 101 Article inspection device 10 Conveyance unit 11, 12, 13, 14 Conveyor unit (conveyance path) 15 First article detection sensor (sensor, inspection article detection sensor) 17 Second article detection sensor (sensor, sorted article detection sensor) 19A, 19B Sensors (sensors for confirming discharge operation) 20 Inspection unit 21 Weighing platform 22 Weighing unit 30 Sorting unit 31 Support frame 32 Sorting drive unit 33A, 33B Flipper arms (sorting members) 35 Discharge mechanism 40 Control unit 41 Inspection control unit 42 Sorting control unit 43 Display operation unit 44 Sampling circuit 44a Switch 45 Weight calculation means 46 Judgment means 47 Judgment result memory 48 Inspection time management timer 49 Variety registration memory 51 Holding time management timer 52 Delay time calculation unit 52a Timing means (timing circuit) 52b Time calculation means 52c Memory 52d correspondence determination means 53 Delay time setting unit 55 Sorting instruction output unit (sorting instruction output means) 60 Timing adjustment screen generation means 61 Timing adjustment screen 62 Measurement value display unit 62a Sequence display area 62b Moving time display area 62c Light shielding time display area 63 Automatic adjustment button 64 Delete button 65 Adjustment result display area 91 Air source 130 Sorting unit 131A, 131B Air nozzles 132A, 132B Solenoid valves 133 Air tank 134 Filter regulator 135 Air supply control mechanism unit d1 Detection signal Wa, Wb, Wc, Wd, We Samples (sample articles to be inspected) E1 Tip E2 Rear end Lnp Nozzle pitch NG1 Inspection result (inspection result of over judgment, inspection result signal of defect) NG2 Inspection result (inspection result of under judgment, inspection result signal of defect) OK Judgment result (inspection result of pass judgment, inspection result signal of good product) P0 Loading detection position P1 Conveying position (conveying position at the second detection) P2 Conveying position (conveying position at the start of sorting operation) P3 Conveying position (conveying position at the start of discharge, contact start position, discharge start position) RJ1 Sorting instruction (sorting instruction signal, sorting instruction on the discharge side, sorting instruction at the time of over judgment) RJ2 Sorting instruction (sorting instruction signal, sorting instruction on the discharge side, sorting instruction at the time of under judgment) t0 Detection time (first detection time, loading detection time, loading time) Detection times t0a, t0b, t0c (first detection time of the sample) Detection time t1 (second detection time, time point when inspection time has elapsed, output time point) Detection times t1a, t1b, t1c (second detection time) Inspection time T1 (predetermined inspection time, delay time, first conveyance time, minimum time) Detection time t2 (third detection time, elapsed time point) Detection times t2a, t2b, t2c (third detection time of the sample) Time T2 (total conveyance time, second conveyance time, maximum time) Moving time T3 (moving time until the light shielding of the sorting operation confirmation sensor starts, minimum time) Moving time T4 (moving time until the light shielding of the sorting operation confirmation sensor ends, maximum time) Light shielding start times t4a, t4b, t4c, t4d, t4e Light shielding end times t5a, t5b, t5c, t5d, t5e Operation confirmation time Tc Memory retention time Td (conveyance time until reaching the conveyance position at the start of the sorting operation) Time difference Trd (time from reaching the conveyance position at the start of the sorting operation to the completion of discharge) Discharge posture holding time Trj Moving time Trx (moving time until the light shielding of the discharge operation confirmation sensor starts) Conveyance time Tx (moving time, first conveyance time) Light shielding time Ty (light shielding time of the second article detection sensor) Light shielding time Tz (light shielding time of the discharge operation confirmation sensor) Conveyance speed V (inspection conveyance speed) Conveyance speed V2 (sorting conveyance speed) Article W (object to be inspected) Measurement values x1, x2, x3, xn, (measurement values of the first conveyance time, measured values) Measurement values y1, y2, y3, yn (measurement values of the light shielding time, measurement values of the article passing time, measurement values of the time corresponding to the conveyance direction length of the article, measured values) Inspection section Z1 Sorting section Z2

Claims

【Claim 1】 A conveying unit (10) for conveying an article (W) along a predetermined conveying path (12, 13), an inspection unit (20) for inspecting a predetermined quality state of the article within a predetermined inspection section (Z1) in the conveying path, and a sorting unit (30) having a discharge mechanism (35) that responds to an input of a sorting command signal and discharges the inspected article outside the conveying path according to the inspection result in the inspection unit, and a control unit (40) for controlling the inspection unit and the sorting unit, wherein: it has a first article detection sensor (15) disposed on the entrance side of the predetermined inspection section and a second article detection sensor (17) disposed on the entrance side of a sorting section (Z2) downstream of the predetermined inspection section; the control unit:[[]] a conveyance time measuring means (52) that measures a plurality of times a first conveyance time (Tx) from a first detection time (t0) when the tip (E1) of the article is detected by the first article detection sensor to a second detection time (t1) when the tip is detected by the second article detection sensor, and measures a plurality of times a second conveyance time (Tx + Ty) from the first detection time (t0) to a third detection time (t2) when the rear end (E2) of the article is detected by the second article detection sensor, and outputs a plurality of measured values respectively; an operation time setting means (52, 53) for setting a storage holding time (Td) of the inspection result of the article corresponding to a time difference between a minimum time (Min(Tx)) in the plurality of measured values of the first conveyance time and a maximum time (Max(Tx + Ty)) in the plurality of measured values of the second conveyance time; an inspection time management timer (48) that measures, as a predetermined inspection time (T1) required from the first detection time to the output of the inspection result (OK, NG1 or NG2), a time (Min(Tx)) until the minimum time in the plurality of measured values of the first conveyance time elapses from the first detection time; a holding time management timer (51) that measures, as the storage holding time, a conveyance time (Td) from the second detection time until the article reaches a sorting operation start conveyance position (P2) suitable for the discharge operation by the discharge mechanism (35); When receiving the output of the inspection time management timer that notifies the elapse of the predetermined inspection time (at time t0 + T1), the discharge mechanism is made to wait in a state where the discharge operation is possible, and when the memory holding time (Td) has elapsed from this time, a sorting command output means (55) for executing the discharge operation of the discharge mechanism is provided. An article inspection apparatus, further comprising a correspondence determination means (52d) for determining that the article is an article corresponding to the inspection result when the front end and the rear end of the article are detected by the second article detection sensor between the time point when the predetermined inspection time has elapsed and the time point when the memory holding time (Td) has elapsed. **Claim 2** The control unit further has a timing adjustment screen generation means (60) for generating a timing adjustment screen (61) that displays the measured value (xn) of the first transfer time and the measured value (xn + yn) corresponding to the second transfer time in a comparable manner in the order of measurement in response to the predetermined adjustment request input. The operation time setting means specifies the minimum time (Min(Tx)) among the plurality of measured values of the first transfer time and the maximum time (Max(Tx + Ty)) among the plurality of measured values of the second transfer time on the condition that the number of displayed values of the measured value of the first transfer time and the measured value corresponding to the second transfer time each reach a predetermined plurality, and calculates the memory holding time (Td). The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. **Claim 3** The operation time setting means calculates the memory holding time on the condition that, in addition to the number of displayed values of the measured value of the first transfer time and the measured value corresponding to the second transfer time each reaching the predetermined plurality, an operation input for requesting adjustment of the operation timing of the sorting unit is made. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that. **Claim 4** When the memory holding time is calculated by the operation time setting means, the timing adjustment screen generation means displays the memory holding time and the minimum time of the measured value of the first transfer time on the timing adjustment screen. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that. **Claim 5** The transfer time measuring means measures the article passing time from the second detection time point to the third detection time point, and outputs a measured value (yn) of a time corresponding to the length in the transfer direction of the article. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. **Claim 6** On at least one side in the conveyance path width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sorting section of the conveyance path, a discharge operation confirmation sensor (19A and / or 19B) is provided. The delay time setting means reaches the conveyance position (P3) at which the article to be discharged starts to contact the sorting member (33A and / or 33B) of the discharge mechanism from the first detection time point (t0), and while being directed in the discharge direction by the sorting member, measures the moving time (Trx) until the discharge operation confirmation sensor starts to be blocked from light, and the light blocking time (Tz) of the discharge operation confirmation sensor, a plurality of times respectively. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, after detecting the time (Min(Trx)) that becomes the minimum value among the plurality of measured moving times and the time Max((Trx + Tz)) that becomes the maximum value among the plurality of delay times (Trx + Tz), a time difference (Trd) corresponding to the difference between these detected values is calculated, and a discharge posture holding time (Trj) and an operation confirmation time (Tc) that can include variations are set.

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