Member inspection device

Abstract

To provide a member inspection device with which fixation of member position can be easily achieved by human power, and the member can be inspected for acceptability by uniformizing its imaging positional relationship and then capturing an image.SOLUTION: A member inspection device according to the present invention inspects a member for acceptability, and comprises a placement board having a plurality of insertion holes, a member fixation jig inserted and fixed in one of the plurality of insertion holes and being attachable to the placement board, an imaging camera capable of imaging a range including the member fixation jig, and a camera fixing jig for fixing the imaging camera in position. The member fixation jig is capable of attaching and fixing members to be inspected at the same position, and the member fixation jig is inserted and fixed in the insertion hole at the same position for the case of the same type. The members to be inspected are inserted and fixed in insertion holes at the same position of the member fixation jig and are set at the same position on the placement board. The positional relationship between the imaging camera and the members is maintained constant when the members are of the same type.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a member inspection device that performs an inspection for discriminating between good and defective members of members manufactured by molding or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Members for incorporation into various products are manufactured in many scenarios. The members are manufactured by molding or the like and have shapes and sizes corresponding to their uses. Such members are used in the structural parts of products or for component mounting. Of course, they may also be used for constructing the outer shape of products.

[0003] There are many such members incorporated into products and used. Also, such members may be used in many places of a single product. Or they may be used in only one or several places, but the products incorporating the members may be mass-produced.

[0004] Therefore, there are often a very large number of such members incorporated into products. Since they are often incorporated into products or used for mounting components, for members of the same type, a high degree of identity of each of a large number of members is required. For members of the same type, they all need to have the same shape, size, etc.

[0005] On the other hand, since such members are incorporated into products or components are mounted on them, their shapes may become complicated. Such members with complicated shapes are mass-produced and used. Even in the case of members having such complicated shapes, for members of the same type, their shapes, sizes, etc. need to match.

[0006] Such members are manufactured by molding or the like. Depending on the situation in various processes such as the manufacturing process and the finishing process, in mass-produced members, those that are different from the original in terms of shape, size, etc. may occur. For example, there may be defects in a part of the shape or differences in size. Such parts with shape and size defects or differences should be judged as defective products. This is because they are not suitable when incorporated into a product or when a component is mounted.

[0007] Thus, parts with defects or differences in shape and size should be judged as defective products. It is necessary to judge them as defective products and prevent them from being used for incorporation into products, etc. This is because it is not preferable for defective products to be directly supplied to the line for product assembly or the like.

[0008] In order to prevent such problems, it is required to judge the quality of members as good or defective. Technologies related to such judgment of good and defective products have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] Patent Document 1 is provided with LED elements (light sources) 68 disposed inside component fixing jigs 18 and 20. The component fixing jigs 18 and 20 are made of a light-scattering and transmissive material that scatters and transmits light, and are caused to emit light with a predetermined surface luminance based on the output light from the LED elements 68. The component shape inspection apparatus inspects by imaging an inspection region K including a boundary line L between the surface of the component fixing jigs 18 and 20 that are caused to emit light with the predetermined luminance and the outer edge of the component 16 by imaging cameras 12 and 14 is disclosed.

[0011] Patent Document 1 aims to detect defects in component shapes by imaging components with a camera.

[0012] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when the imaging position and imaging angle of the component are not constant each time, displacement occurs in the captured image, and there is a problem that accurate determination of good products cannot be made.

[0013] Patent Document 2 discloses a method for manufacturing a mounting substrate, including a step of placing a jig plate 30 with a plurality of marks, a step of recognizing the marks by a first imaging unit 24a mounted on a head unit 15 and obtaining an error between the recognized position and the position on the control data, a step of imaging a predetermined mark including a part or all of the marks recognized by the first imaging unit 24a and obtaining an error between the recognized position and the position on the control data, and a step of driving and controlling the head unit 15 based on the errors obtained in the above steps to mount the component on the substrate P.

[0014] Patent Document 2 aims to ensure position detection in the process of manufacturing a mounting substrate.

[0015] The technology of Patent Document 2 is not related to the determination of good or defective parts. However, even if it is applied to part inspection, it is necessary to mark the jig plate, and there are problems such as the need for imaging of the mark and posture control by mechanical control. It is not suitable for determining the quality of parts based on imaging of the parts. The device also becomes large-scale, and there is a problem that it is impossible to image a plurality of parts from the same angle every time and perform a determination of quality such as shape. Also, unlike those with a simple and constant outer shape and size such as an electronic substrate, parts for product incorporation have complex shapes and sizes.

[0016] Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to apply the technology of Patent Document 2 to part inspection.

[0017] Patent Document 3 discloses an inspection jig mounted on a substrate inspection apparatus for inspecting a substrate having a plurality of inspection terminals and a substrate position mark, which includes a plurality of probes, guide holes for guiding the tips thereof to the inspection terminals, and a guide plate having a plurality of jig position marks, and is moved by an inspection jig moving unit. A transport table for holding and transporting the substrate includes a plurality of table position marks and an auxiliary camera for recognizing a plurality of jig position marks.

[0018] Patent Document 3 performs operations such as applying a position confirmation mark to the substrate in order to confirm the position of the substrate to be inspected.

[0019] However, Patent Document 3 requires a large-scale device to specify the position, similar to Patent Documents 1 and 2. Also, it is necessary to apply a mark such as a marker to the substrate to be inspected. Since the members assumed in the present application are used for structural parts and the like, it is impossible to apply a mark such as a marker.

[0020] On the other hand, when inspecting whether a member conforms to the standards of the outer shape and size, image imaging is used. At this time, in image imaging, if the imaging position, imaging angle, etc. of the member to be inspected differ for each member, there is a problem that accurate inspection based on the outer shape and size as a standard cannot be performed.

[0021] In addition, the member may have a complex shape, and if there is a deviation in the captured image, there is a problem that an accurate pass / fail inspection cannot be performed.

[0022] Due to the characteristics of such members and member inspections, even when applying conventional techniques such as Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is a problem that the imaging position of the member cannot be fixed. Also, when the apparatus becomes large-scale, there is a problem that a large number of member inspections cannot be efficiently performed. Further, it is not possible to mark a marker on the member as in Patent Document 3. Moreover, even if a marker is attached to the jig as in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to fix the position of the member based on this marker, and there is a problem that it is difficult to fix the correlation between the member and the imaging position.

[0023] Due to such problems, there has been a problem that it is difficult to perform imaging while grasping the position of the member while fixing a large number of members at the same position every time. If this is not solved, even if an image of a member with a complex shape is captured, there is a problem that the shape and size cannot be analyzed and inspected. Also, simplification in position fixing and the like is necessary.

[0024] In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a member inspection apparatus that can easily fix the position of a member manually, and can perform imaging while making the imaging position relationship of the member constant and then inspect the pass / fail.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0025] In view of the above problems, the member inspection apparatus of the present invention is a member inspection apparatus for inspecting the pass / fail of a member, and an installation plate having a plurality of insertion holes, a member fixing jig that can be inserted and fixed in any one of the plurality of insertion holes and can be attached to the installation plate, an imaging camera capable of imaging a range including the member fixing jig, and a camera fixing tool for fixing the imaging camera, and the member fixing jig can attach and fix the member to be inspected at the same position, when it is the same type, the member fixing jig is inserted and fixed in the insertion hole at the same position, The member to be inspected is set at the same position on the installation plate by being fixed by the member fixing jig and by being inserted and fixed in the insertion hole at the same position of the member fixing jig. When the members are of the same type, the positional relationship between the imaging camera and the members is kept constant.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] The member inspection apparatus of the present invention fixes a member with a jig on a photographing substrate having a plurality of fixing holes with coordinates. Since the jig is installed at a fixed position of the fixing hole and the member is fixed to this jig, the member can be fixed at the same position every time even by manual operation.

[0027] The fixing position is determined by the fixing hole, and the relative relationship with the imaging camera is also fixed.

[0028] As a result, the positional relationship between the imaging position, the imaging angle and the members can be made constant for each of the plurality of members. Thereby, errors in the pass / fail determination due to deviations in the imaging position and the imaging angle can be reduced.

[0029] Also, based on the captured images of the plurality of fixing holes, the position and angle of the imaging camera can be adjusted to an accurate position. Thereby, errors in the pass / fail determination due to differences in the imaging conditions can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] The member inspection apparatus according to the first invention of the present invention is a member inspection apparatus for inspecting the quality of a member, and includes: An installation plate having a plurality of insertion holes; A member fixing jig that can be inserted and fixed into any one of the plurality of insertion holes and can be attached to the installation plate; An imaging camera capable of imaging the range including the member fixing jig; A camera fixing tool for fixing the imaging camera, and The member fixing jig can attach and fix a member to be inspected at the same position, When the member fixing jigs are of the same type, they are inserted and fixed into the insertion holes at the same position, The member to be inspected is set at the same position on the installation plate by being fixed by the member fixing jig and inserted and fixed into the insertion hole at the same position of the member fixing jig, When the members are of the same type, the positional relationship between the imaging camera and the members is maintained constant.

[0032] With this configuration, members of the same type can always be installed at the same position with respect to the imaging camera. Thereby, it is possible to accurately perform pass / fail determination by comparing the images of good product images and member images.

[0033] In the member inspection apparatus according to the second invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, each of the plurality of insertion holes has a coordinate position, The member fixing jig is inserted and fixed into the insertion hole specified by the coordinate position.

[0034] With this configuration, the member is always installed at a specified position via the member fixing jig.

[0035] In the member inspection apparatus according to the third invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the member image captured by the imaging camera includes the insertion hole, Based on the coordinate position of the insertion hole, the position of the member in the member image can be grasped.

[0036] With this configuration, it becomes easy to grasp the position of the member image, the type of the member, and the like.

[0037] In the member inspection apparatus according to the fourth invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the member fixing jig includes a fixing portion that fixes the same type of the members in the same manner, The same type of the members can be fixed at the same position on the installation plate.

[0038] With this configuration, since the members are always fixed at the same position, the image comparison between the member image and the non-defective product image can be accurately performed.

[0039] In the member inspection apparatus according to the fifth invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the imaging camera can adjust the imaging position and the imaging angle with respect to the member fixing jig and the member according to the coordinate position.

[0040] With this configuration, the imaging of the member image by the imaging camera can be appropriately performed.

[0041] In the member inspection apparatus according to the sixth invention of the present invention, in addition to the fifth invention, the imaging camera captures an installation plate image of the installation plate including the insertion hole, Based on the position comparison between the actual coordinates of the insertion hole and the coordinates of the insertion hole included in the installation plate image, the imaging position and the imaging angle of the imaging camera can be adjusted.

[0042] With this configuration, the imaging conditions by the imaging camera can be optimized. Also, deviations in the imaging angle and the like can be corrected.

[0043] In the member inspection apparatus according to the seventh invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, a storage unit that stores a non-defective product image for determining the quality of the member, and further includes a pass / fail determination unit that compares the member image and the non-defective product image to determine pass / fail, wherein the pass / fail determination unit determines the member as "non-defective" when the difference between the outer shape and size of the member included in the member image and the outer shape and size of the member included in the non-defective product image is equal to or less than a certain amount.

[0044] With this configuration, if the difference in shape and size is small compared to a non-defective product, it is determined as a non-defective product, and if it is large, it is determined as a defective product. Therefore, the determination can be made easily and efficiently. The steps required for determining the quality of the member can be reduced.

[0045] In the member inspection apparatus according to the eighth invention of the present invention, in addition to the seventh invention, each of the non-defective product image and the member image is a luminance image.

[0046] With this configuration, the boundary of the outer shape of the member becomes clearer in the image, and the comparison of the shape and size can be performed with high accuracy.

[0047] In the member inspection apparatus according to the ninth invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the insertion hole is different from the surface of the installation plate in at least one of luminance and chromaticity.

[0048] With this configuration, it becomes easy to grasp the insertion hole in the image.

[0049] In the member inspection apparatus according to the tenth invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the installation plate includes a white band that serves as a reference for the brightness of the imaging environment by the imaging camera.

[0050] With this configuration, the imaging characteristics of the imaging camera can be adjusted.

[0051] In the member inspection apparatus according to the eleventh invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, it further includes a display unit that displays a captured image by the imaging camera. The display unit can display the good product image and the member image of the member to be inspected superimposed. The good product image is displayed semi-transparently, so that the good product image and the member image can be displayed overlappingly on the display unit. Based on the overlap, the member fixing jig can be installed at the same position on the installation plate so that the member in the good product image coincides with the member in the member image.

[0052] With this configuration, the member to be inspected can be made to coincide with the good product with reference to the installation plate on the installation plate.

[0053] In the member inspection apparatus according to the twelfth invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, there are a plurality of types of the members. The member fixing jig is provided according to the type of the member.

[0054] With this configuration, it can be surely fixed according to the shape of the member and the like, and can be further installed on the installation plate.

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0056] (Image inspection of members) Members having shapes and structures required in various devices such as structures, electronic devices, mechanical devices, precision devices, robots, manufacturing devices, inspection devices, and transportation devices are used. The member itself may be used by being incorporated into a device or the like, or may be used for mounting semiconductor elements, electronic components, and the like.

[0057] Such members often have special structures and shapes according to the device characteristics and applications for which they are intended. In addition, high precision is required in their shapes and structures in order to be incorporated into devices or to mount elements and the like. The members are manufactured by means of molds, molding, stamping, chemical conversion, etc. This is for mass production. At this time, there are variations in the manufacturing process, variations in the finishing process, and variations in manufacturing accuracy due to the complexity of the shape. Due to these factors, variations may occur in the shape and structural accuracy.

[0058] That is, even for the same member, variations may occur in the shape and structural accuracy during mass production. If the variations in this shape and structural accuracy exceed a certain level, that member needs to be treated as a defective product. This is because it cannot be used in devices and the like.

[0059] Thus, it is necessary to determine whether a member is a usable non-defective product or a non-usable defective product based on the shape, structure, etc. of the member. In the determination of non-defective and defective products of such members, the captured image of the member to be inspected is used.

[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the determination of non-defective and defective products of a member based on image processing.

[0061] Regarding the shape and structure of the member, an image of a non-defective member set as a non-defective product is captured and the non-defective product image is stored. The non-defective product image serves as a standard (reference) for determining the quality of the member to be inspected. Also, inspection items (= determination items) for determining the quality of the member from the non-defective product image are set. With such a non-defective product image serving as a standard and the inspection items stored, an inspection product image of the member to be inspected is captured.

[0062] This inspection product image and the non-defective product image are compared. In this comparison, the stored inspection items are checked. As a result, if the difference in the inspection items for the member to be inspected is less than a predetermined value with respect to the reference non-defective product image, it is determined to be a non-defective product, and if it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined to be a defective product.

[0063] Such a pass / fail determination based on image processing is performed.

[0064] In such a pass / fail determination based on image processing, it is necessary to image a member having a complex shape or structure at the correct position, angle, and separation distance. This is because if the member to be inspected is imaged at a position, angle, or separation distance different from that of the reference good product image, it will not be possible to make a correct comparison with the good product image. It is important that the member to be inspected can be reliably and easily installed at the same position each time in relation to the imaging camera.

[0065] The present invention has been made based on such a viewpoint.

[0066] (Overall Outline)

[0067] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entirety of the member inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the installation plate according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from above.

[0068] The member inspection apparatus 1 determines whether the member 100 is good or defective (= pass or fail) as described above. The member inspection apparatus 1 includes an installation plate 2, a member fixing jig 3, an imaging camera 4, and a camera fixing tool 5.

[0069] The member inspection apparatus 1 determines whether the member 100 is good or defective as described above. As shown in FIG. 1, this member 100 has a shape and size corresponding to the necessity of use, and a pass / fail determination regarding this shape and size is required. Also, depending on the purpose of use, it often has a complex shape.

[0070] The installation plate 2 includes a plurality of insertion holes 21. Each of the plurality of insertion holes 21 has a predetermined coordinate position, and the position is specified by the insertion holes 21. The insertion holes 21 have the role of inserting and fixing the member fixing jig 3. For this reason, the insertion holes 21 are provided in a positional relationship in which the member fixing jig 3 can be inserted. Also, they are provided in a positional relationship in which the position can be specified. For this reason, the plurality of insertion holes 21 are arranged in a predetermined pattern.

[0071] The member fixing jig 3 has a convex portion 32 that can be inserted into the insertion hole 21 and a main body portion 31 that fixes the member 100. The member fixing jig 3 is attached to the installation plate 2 by inserting the convex portion 32 into the insertion hole 21. By inserting and fixing the convex portion 32 into the insertion hole 21, the member fixing jig 3 is attached to the installation plate 2.

[0072] In this way, the member fixing jig 3 is attached to the installation plate 2 with reference to the insertion hole 21, and by fixing the member with the member fixing jig 3, the state as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is obtained. That is, the member 100 to be inspected is in a state where its relative positional relationship with the installation plate 2 is specified via the member fixing jig 3. This positional relationship is determined by the insertion hole 21 of the installation plate 2.

[0073] This insertion hole 21 has coordinates that specify the position on the installation plate 2 as described above. Therefore, the position of the member 100 fixed to the member fixing jig 3 can be specified by the coordinate position on the installation plate 2.

[0074] The imaging camera 4 images the range including the member fixing jig 3. That is, it can image the member fixing jig 3 that has fixed the member 100. It can image the member 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0075] The camera fixing tool 5 fixes the imaging camera 4. The imaging camera 4 images the member 100 fixed to the member fixing jig 3 from above the installation plate 2. At this time, it is necessary to keep the imaging distance and imaging angle by the imaging camera 4 constant. Also, depending on the type of the member 100 to be imaged, there are required imaging distances and imaging angles. The camera fixing tool 5 fixes the imaging camera 4 at such required imaging distances and imaging angles. By the fixing, imaging from above becomes possible.

[0076] In addition, in imaging of the same type of member 100, imaging at the same imaging distance and imaging angle is necessary. This is because the quality is determined by image comparison. The camera fixing tool 5 fixes such imaging distances and imaging angles and makes the imaging of the member 100 by the imaging camera 4 constant.

[0077] When the member fixing jig 3 fixes members 100 of the same type, the convex portion 32 is inserted into the insertion holes 21 at the same positions. Further, the member 100 is fixed to the member fixing jig 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the member 100 is attached to the surface of the member fixing jig 3. Thereby, the member 100 faces the imaging camera 4.

[0078] In addition, the member fixing jig 3 has a structure adapted to the shape and size of the member 100. Thereby, members 100 of the same type are always attached to the member fixing jig 3 at the same position and in the same situation. Also, in imaging members 100 of the same type, the same type of member fixing jig 3 is used. In the case of members 100 of different types, another dedicated member fixing jig 3 corresponding thereto is used. Also,

[0079] Thereby, when imaging members 100 of the same type, they are always mounted in the same insertion holes 21, and the members 100 are fixed at the same positions on the installation plate 2.

[0080] Thereby, when imaging members 100 of the same type, the members 100 can be surely installed at the same positions on the installation plate 2. Even when an operator manually installs the members 100 on the installation plate 2, it is only necessary to attach the member fixing jig to the insertion holes 21 determined according to the types of the members 100. Thereby, the members 100 are always in a state of being installed at the same positions on the installation plate 2.

[0081] Also, the positional relationship (imaging distance and imaging angle) between the imaging camera 4 and the installation plate 2 is fixed to be constant by the camera fixing tool 5.

[0082] As a result, in the following manner, even when continuously imaging the same type of members 100, it is ensured that imaging is performed at the same imaging distance and imaging angle. Moreover, even when the members 100 are manually installed on the installation plate 2, they are always installed at the same positions.

[0083] (1) Members of the same type 100 are attached to the dedicated member fixing jig 3 corresponding thereto. (2) The members 100 are attached to the same positions on the member fixing jig 3. (3) The member fixing jig 3 is mounted in the same insertion hole 21 in the installation plate 2. As a result, the members 100 are in a state of being installed at the same positions on the installation plate 2. (4) The imaging camera 4 is fixed in position by the camera fixture 5. Also, the relative positional relationship (imaging distance and imaging angle) with the installation plate 2 is also fixed.

[0084] As a result of this, the positional relationship between the imaging camera 4 and the member 100 to be inspected is constantly maintained when the members 100 are of the same type. Thus, when imaging a plurality of members 100 of the same type one after another, imaging can always be performed under the same conditions.

[0085] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the quality of the member 100 to be inspected is determined by comparing it with the good product image. At this time, due to the relative relationships as in (1) to (4), it is ensured that the imaging of the imaging image of the member 100 is imaging under the same conditions, so that the comparison with the good product image is constantly maintained. Of course, since the magnification ratio of the member 100 in the imaging image is the same, the comparison based on the image is surely performed.

[0086] With such a member inspection device 1, the imaging image of the member 100 is always obtained under the same imaging conditions as the good product image. As a result, errors due to differences in imaging conditions in the determination of quality by comparing the images are suppressed. Also, since the imaging images of the plurality of members 100 are also imaged under the same conditions, the image comparison of a large number of members 100 is always performed under the same conditions, and an appropriate determination of quality is made.

[0087] Note that the good product image is also fixed and imaged at the same insertion hole 21 at the same position by the same member fixing jig 3. Thereby, the reference good product image and the member image of the member 100 to be inspected are imaging images under the same conditions.

[0088] (Installation plate) The mounting plate 2 has the member 100 to be inspected installed thereon with respect to the imaging camera 4. It is in a facing position relationship located below the imaging camera 4. The mounting plate 2 mounts the member 100 via the member fixing jig 3 as described above. The imaging camera 4 images this mounted member 100.

[0089] The mounting plate 2 has a plurality of insertion holes 21. The member installation jig 3 is inserted and fixed into these insertion holes 21. Each of the plurality of insertion holes 21 has a coordinate position. For example, the lower left insertion hole 21 has coordinates (0, 0) on the X-axis and Y-axis, and the coordinates of the insertion hole 21 next to it are something like (1, 0).

[0090] The member fixing jig 3 is inserted and fixed into the insertion hole 21 specified by the coordinate position. The same type of member fixing jig 3 is inserted and fixed into the same insertion hole 21 (it may be a plurality of insertion holes 21). Thereby, fixing in the same relative position relationship with respect to the imaging camera 4 is always realized.

[0091] Since the member 100 is attached to the corresponding dedicated member fixing jig 3, the member 100 is always fixed at the same position on the mounting plate 2.

[0092] The insertion hole 21 is provided at a position where the insertion and fixing of the member fixing jig 3 are realized. The member fixing jig 3 has a convex portion 32 as shown in FIG. 4, and by inserting this convex portion 32 into the insertion hole 21, the member fixing jig 3 is inserted and fixed. Therefore, the position and interval of the insertion holes 21 correspond to this convex portion 32.

[0093] Also, it is preferable that the insertion hole 21 can correspond to different types and shapes of member fixing jigs 3. For this reason, it is also preferable that a plurality of insertion holes 21 are provided so as to be arranged in a predetermined pattern with coordinate positions and to form a plurality of mounting patterns that can correspond to different types of member fixing jigs 3.

[0094] Also, it is preferable that the member image of the member 100 captured by the imaging camera 4 includes the insertion hole 21 in the image. Each of the insertion holes 21 has a coordinate position as described above. By including the insertion hole 21 in the member image, the position of the member 100 in the member image can be grasped. Thereby, after imaging a large number of member images, by grasping the position of the member 100 on the installation plate 2 in the member image, the confirmation work required for the pass / fail determination can be performed.

[0095] (Member fixing jig) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the member fixing jig in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the fixing of the member to the member fixing jig.

[0096] The member fixing jig 3 is mounted on the installation plate 2 after fixing the member 100. The convex portion 32 provided on the member fixing jig 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 to be mounted on the installation plate 2. Also, the member 100 is placed on the main body portion 31. Here, the member fixing jig 3 includes a fixing portion 33 for fixing the member 100. In FIG. 5, the fixing portion 33 has a receiving structure for receiving the protruding portion of the member 100, whereby the member 100 is fixed to the member fixing jig 3.

[0097] The member fixing jig 3 is dedicated for use according to the type of the member 100 (not that it has no versatility, but rather it is mounted on the installation plate 2 while surely fixing the same type of member 100). Therefore, the fixing portion 33 also corresponds to the shape of the member 100 to be attached. Thereby, for the same type of member 100, any member 100 can be attached by the same method. Further, since the member fixing jig 3 is inserted into the specified insertion hole 21, it is mounted at the same position on the installation plate 2.

[0098] As a result, the same type of member 100 is fixed at the same position on the installation plate 2 by the member fixing jig 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 show this result.

[0099] (Imaging of member image)

[0100] The imaging camera 4 captures an image of the member 100 installed at a predetermined position on the installation plate 2. The captured image is stored as a member image in the storage unit provided in the imaging camera 4 or in a separately connected storage unit.

[0101] Also, as described above, members 100 of the same type are fixed at the same position on the installation plate 2. Since the imaging camera 4 captures a member image with respect to this position, the positional relationship and magnification of the member 100 shown in the member image are always the same.

[0102] Also, a reference good product image is captured under the same conditions. As a result, defective parts in terms of shape and size can be surely detected by image comparison.

[0103] (Position adjustment of the imaging camera) The imaging camera 4 can adjust the imaging position, imaging distance, and imaging angle with respect to the member fixing jig 3 and the member 100 to be imaged according to the coordinate position of the member 100 installed on the installation plate 2. Thereby, the imaging conditions for the member 100 to be imaged can be optimized and maintained constantly after optimization.

[0104] Also, the imaging camera 4 captures an installation plate image which is an image of the installation plate 2 in a state including the insertion hole 21. The insertion hole 21 has coordinates as described above. The difference between the coordinates in the image of the insertion hole 21 included in the installation plate image and the actual coordinates of the actual insertion hole 21 is calculated. The camera fixing tool 5 is manually adjusted so as to adjust this difference. Thereby, the imaging position, imaging distance, and imaging angle by the imaging camera 4 are adjusted. By this adjustment, imaging of the member 100 can always be performed under the same conditions.

[0105] Also, the imaging camera 4 captures the entire installation plate 2 to calculate the coordinates of the insertion hole 21 included in the installation plate image, and grasps the position and angle of the imaging camera 4 from the coordinates. Based on this, the imaging position and imaging angle of the imaging camera 4 can be adjusted. By this adjustment, the member image of the member to be imaged can always be captured under the same conditions.

[0106] (Good or Bad Judgment) As described above, in the member inspection apparatus 1, for various types of members 100, for members 100 of the same type, it is easy to install them at the same position on the installation plate 2. In addition, the positional relationship between the imaging camera 4 and the member 100 can always be made the same. As a result, for members 100 of the same type, member images can always be captured under the same imaging conditions.

[0107] Here, it is also preferable that the member inspection apparatus 1 further includes a storage unit 6 and a good or bad judgment unit 7 as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the member inspection apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Compared with FIG. 2, the storage unit 6 and the good or bad judgment unit 7 are added.

[0108] The storage unit 6 stores a good product image that serves as a reference for judging the quality of the member 100. It also stores the member image captured by the imaging camera 4. Note that the good product image is a reference image that serves as a reference for good or bad judgment.

[0109] The operator attaches the member 100 to be inspected to the member fixing jig 3 and mounts it at a predetermined position on the installation plate 2. Then, the imaging camera 4 captures a member image of the member 100. The captured member image is output to the storage unit 6.

[0110] The good or bad judgment unit 7 compares the member image with the good product image to perform a good or bad judgment. Since the good or bad judgment unit 7 can read data from the storage unit 6, it can read the reference good product image and the captured member image. The good or bad judgment unit 7 compares the outer shape and size of the member 100 included in each of the read member image and good product image.

[0111] As a result of this comparison, when the difference between the outer shape and size of the member 100 included in the member image and the outer shape and size of the member 100 included in the good product image is equal to or less than a certain value, the good product judgment unit 7 determines the member 100 in the member image as "good product". Conversely, when it is greater than a certain value, it is determined as "defective product".

[0112] The pass / fail determination of the member 100 is based on the differences in the shape and size of the member 100. A large difference indicates a problem with the shape or size and should be determined as a defective product. If it is standardized, it may be determined as a non-defective product.

[0113] In this way, the pass / fail determination unit 7 determines the pass / fail of the member 100 based on the comparison between the member image and the non-defective product image.

[0114] Here, the pass / fail determination unit 7 determines based on inspection items corresponding to the type of the member 100. The inspection items include characteristics of the shape of the member 100 and features in terms of size. For example, the shape characteristics of the corner portions of the member 100 and the shape characteristics of the curved portions are included as inspection items. Alternatively, the length and angle of the special shape portions are included as inspection items.

[0115] These characteristic portions are particularly important in the pass / fail of the member 100.

[0116] These inspection items are stored in the storage unit 6 in association with the type of the member 100. For example, the member 100 of type A, the corresponding inspection items, and the reference non-defective product image are stored in the storage unit 6. When the member image of the member 100 to be inspected is captured, the pass / fail determination unit 7 reads this information from the storage unit 6 and determines the pass / fail of the member 100 in the member image based on the inspection items. By performing the determination based on the inspection items, a more accurate pass / fail determination can be made.

[0117] Also, FIG. 1 shows the pass / fail determination, and the pass / fail determination in the present invention is also performed in this way.

[0118] At this time, as described above, since each of the plurality of members 100 is always imaged under the same conditions, no error occurs in the comparison of the shape and size. In this way, the member inspection device 1 in Embodiment 1 can accurately determine the pass / fail of many members 100.

[0119] (Embodiment 2)

[0120] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In Embodiment 2, various variations and the like will be described.

[0121] (Component Image and Good Product Image) The pass / fail determination unit 7 determines the pass / fail of the component 100 by comparing the component image with the good product image (reference image). At this time, it is also preferable that each of the component image and the good product image is a luminance image.

[0122] The good product image is obtained by being imaged by the imaging camera 4 under the same conditions as when the component image is imaged. This good product image may also be stored in the storage unit 6 as a luminance image during or after imaging.

[0123] Similarly, the component image is also stored in the storage unit 6 as a luminance image during or after imaging. Thus, it is also preferable that each of the component image and the good product image is a luminance image.

[0124] By being a luminance image, the comparison in the pass / fail determination unit 7 becomes easy. The pass / fail determination of the component 100 is performed based on the shape and size of the component 100. At this time, it is easier to compare when the image used is a luminance image rather than a general image. This is because if it is a luminance image, the edges of the outer shape are clearer and it is easier to compare the shape and size.

[0125] Also, it is also possible to perform frequency conversion on the luminance image to obtain the frequency information of the edge (the boundary of the outer shape) and then perform the comparison. By doing so, the comparison of the outer shape and size, which are the criteria for pass / fail determination, can be performed with high accuracy.

[0126] Note that since the good product image is used for comparison with the component image, it is installed and imaged using the component fixing jig 3 on the installation plate 2 in the same manner as when the component image is imaged. Also during imaging, the imaging position, imaging distance, imaging angle, etc. of the imaging camera 4 are the same as the imaging conditions of the component image. Therefore, if necessary, the good product image may also be an image including the insertion hole 21, similar to the component image.

[0127] (Characteristics of Insertion Hole) The insertion hole 21 is also preferably different from the surface of the mounting plate 2 in at least one of brightness and chromaticity. For example, the surface of the mounting plate 2 is black, and the inner surface of the insertion hole 21 is white, etc., so they are different.

[0128] When imaging the member 100, the imaging camera 4 may image including the insertion holes 21 around the member. This is to be able to grasp the imaging positions and imaging conditions of a plurality of member images. The same applies to good product images.

[0129] Thus, in the member image and the good product image, the member 100 and the surrounding insertion holes 21 may be included in the image. At this time, by at least one of the brightness and chromaticity of the insertion hole 21 being different from the surface of the mounting plate, the insertion hole 21 in the image can be easily grasped. Thereby, the position of the member 100 on the mounting plate 2 can be grasped.

[0130] Once the position can be grasped, it is also possible to determine whether the imaging conditions are proper. For this purpose, it is also good that at least one of the brightness and chromaticity of the insertion hole 21 is different. Also, it is good that the brightness and chromaticity at each of the plurality of insertion holes 21 are different. Thereby, the position of the insertion hole 21 in the image can be easily grasped.

[0131] (White band) FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting plate in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is also preferable that the mounting plate 2 is provided with a white band 25.

[0132] The white band 25 serves as a reference for the brightness of the imaging environment by the imaging camera 4. By using the white band 25 as a reference for the brightness of the imaging environment, the imaging characteristics of the imaging camera 4 when imaging the member image can be adjusted. For example, it serves as a reference for making the imaging brightness brighter or darker. Also, when it is determined that brightness adjustment of the imaging camera 4 of a certain level or more is necessary, it is suspected that the imaging environment itself has changed significantly from the reference. That is, it is also possible to detect an abnormality in the imaging environment.

[0133] The imaging of the member 100 by the imaging camera is for the pass / fail determination based on the shape and size of the member 100. Therefore, it is necessary that the outer shape (shape boundary) of the member 100 is clear in the captured member image. At this time, if the compatibility between the imaging environment and the imaging characteristics of the imaging camera 4 is poor, the outer shape will become unclear.

[0134] Since the white band 25 serves as the reference for the brightness of the imaging environment, the imaging characteristics of the imaging camera 4 can be adjusted. Thereby, after adjusting to the optimal imaging characteristics, the member image of the member 100 can be captured. As a result, the outer shape of the member 100 in the member image becomes clear.

[0135] (Member fixing jig)

[0136] As described above, there are multiple types of the member 100. The shape, size, features, etc. vary depending on the type. Therefore, the member fixing jig 3 is prepared according to the type of the member 100. For example, for member A, a corresponding member fixing jig A is prepared.

[0137] The member fixing jig A corresponds to the size of the member A. In addition, it corresponds to the shape features. By corresponding to these, the member 100 can be securely attached and then mounted on the installation plate 2.

[0138] (Display unit) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the display unit in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is also preferable that the member inspection apparatus 1 further includes a display unit 9 that displays the captured image by the imaging camera 4.

[0139] The display unit 9 can be utilized to display the member image and the non-defective product image to grasp the situation of the pass / fail determination by the pass / fail determination unit 7. The pass / fail determination unit 7 performs automatic determination, but it is also good for the operator to confirm the situation of the pass / fail determination while looking at the member image and the non-defective product image. Alternatively, visual determination by the operator may be added as necessary.

[0140] For such a purpose, it is also preferable that the display unit 9 is provided. As described above, by utilizing the display of the display unit 9, it becomes possible for the operator to participate in and confirm the pass / fail judgment.

[0141] In addition, the display unit 9 can also be utilized to determine at which position on the installation plate 2 it is appropriate to mount the member fixing jig 3 (with the member 100 attached). The position where the member fixing jig 3 is mounted is important in the comparison with the good product image, and it is necessary to mount it at the same position as the position where the good product image was captured.

[0142] However, the reference good product image was captured previously and stored in the storage unit 6. For this reason, when capturing the member image of the member 100 to be inspected, it may not be known where to mount the member fixing jig 3. In this case, it is required to mount the member fixing jig 3 at the same position as this while using the good product image as a reference.

[0143] The display unit 9 can display the good product image and the member image of the member 100 to be inspected in an overlapping manner. At this time, the member image for capturing the member 100 may be a moving image, a still image, or a frame image. In addition, the good product image can be displayed semi-transparently.

[0144] That is, on the display unit 9, a semi-transparent good product image and the member image being captured are displayed in an overlapping manner. FIG. 8 shows this state.

[0145] In such a state of overlapping display, the operator can determine the mounting position of the member fixing jig 3 while looking at the display of the display unit 9. The position of the member fixing jig 3 with the member 100 attached is changed so as to overlap the semi-transparent good product image. At this time, since it is an overlapping image, the situation of changing the position is displayed as the member image. When the member in the member image overlaps (coincides) with the member in the good product image, this position is the correct mounting position.

[0146] By using the overlapping display on the display unit 9 in this way, the mounting position (installation position) of the member fixing jig 3 can be made the same as the mounting position in the case of the non-defective product image. As a result, the captured member image can be compared with the non-defective product image without any problem. As a result, an accurate pass / fail determination can be made.

[0147] Note that the member inspection apparatus described in Embodiments 1 and 2 is an example for explaining the gist of the present invention, and includes modifications and improvements without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0148] 1 Member inspection apparatus 2 Installation plate 21 Insertion hole 25 White band 3 Member fixing jig 4 Imaging camera 5 Camera fixing tool 6 Storage unit 7 Pass / fail determination unit 9 Display unit 100 Member

Claims

1. A member inspection device for inspecting the quality of members, comprising: An installation plate having a plurality of insertion holes; A member fixing jig that is inserted and fixed into any one of the plurality of insertion holes and can be attached to the installation plate; An imaging camera capable of imaging the range including the member fixing jig; A camera fixing tool for fixing the imaging camera, and The member fixing jig can attach and fix a member to be inspected at the same position. When the member fixing jigs are of the same type, they are inserted and fixed into the insertion holes at the same position. The member to be inspected is set in the same position on the installation plate by being fixed by the member fixing jig and inserted and fixed into the insertion hole at the same position of the member fixing jig. A member inspection device in which the positional relationship between the imaging camera and the member is kept constant when the members are of the same type.

2. Each of the plurality of insertion holes has a coordinate position, and The member fixing jig is inserted and fixed into the insertion hole specified by the coordinate position. The member inspection device according to Claim 1.

3. The member image captured by the imaging camera includes the insertion hole, and The position of the member in the member image can be grasped based on the coordinate position of the insertion hole. The member inspection device according to Claim 1.

4. The member fixing jig includes a fixing part for fixing the same type of members in the same manner, and The same type of members can be fixed at the same position on the installation plate. The member inspection device according to Claim 1.

5. The imaging camera can adjust the imaging position and imaging angle with respect to the member fixing jig and the member according to the coordinate position. The member inspection device according to Claim 1.

6. The imaging camera captures an installation plate image of the installation plate including the insertion hole, and Based on the position comparison between the actual coordinates of the insertion hole and the coordinates of the insertion hole included in the installation plate image, the imaging position and imaging angle of the imaging camera can be adjusted. The member inspection device according to Claim 5.

7. A storage unit for storing a good product image for determining the quality of the member; Further comprising a pass / fail determination unit that compares the member image with the good product image to determine pass / fail, and When the difference between the outer shape and size of the member included in the member image and the outer shape and size of the member included in the good product image is less than or equal to a certain amount, the pass / fail determination unit determines that the member is a "good product". The member inspection device according to Claim 1.

8. The member inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the good product image and the member image is a luminance image.

9. The member inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion hole is different from the surface of the installation plate in at least one of luminance and chromaticity.

10. The member inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation plate includes a white band serving as a reference for the brightness of the imaging environment by the imaging camera.

11. The apparatus further comprises a display unit for displaying an imaging image by the imaging camera, the display unit can display the good product image and the member image of the member to be inspected in an overlapping manner, by displaying the good product image semi-transparently, the good product image and the member image can be displayed overlappingly on the display unit, Based on the overlap, the member fixing jig can be installed at the same position on the installation plate so as to match the member in the good product image and the member in the member image. The member inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

12. There are a plurality of types of the members, The member fixing jig is provided according to the type of the member. The member inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

Images