Spectrometer and article inspection device including the same

Abstract

To provide a spectrometer that can increase the efficiency in condensing light to an article without causing an increase in size, and an article inspection device.SOLUTION: A spectrometer comprises: a light source unit 3 that irradiates a tablet W with light from a light source 30; and a light detection unit 4 that measures the spectral characteristics of transmitted light having transmitted through the tablet W with a spectroscope 42. The light source unit 3 has a condensation member 32 that condenses light emitted from the light source 30. The condensation member 32 has a first opening 34 on which the light emitted from the light source 30 is incident, a second opening 35 that is formed to face the light detection unit 4 and has a smaller opening area than the first opening 34, and a transmission path 36 that communicates the first opening 34 and the second opening 35 with each other, and transmits the light having entered the first opening 34 to the second opening 35. The transmission path 36 has an inner diameter reduced as approaching the second opening 35 from the first opening 34, and a wall surface 36a of the transmission path 36 is formed of a reflection surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spectroscopic measurement device and an article inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a spectroscopic measurement device that includes a light irradiation unit that irradiates a mounting surface on which an object to be measured is placed with broadband light from a light source via a light guide, and a light detection unit that detects the light that has passed through the object to be measured and is incident on a spectroscope via an optical fiber, and measures the spectroscopic characteristics using the spectroscope, and that also includes a focusing lens that focuses the light from the light guide on the underside of the object to be measured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7270582 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the spectroscopic measurement device described in Patent Document 1, a focusing lens is used to focus light from the light guide onto the underside of the object to be measured. However, this focusing lens is unable to sufficiently focus light that spreads and emerges from the entire surface of a large area, such as the end face of a light guide, and there is still room for improvement in terms of the efficiency of focusing light onto the object to be measured.

[0005] If the light-collection efficiency on the object to be measured increases, that is, if the energy per unit area of ​​the light irradiated on the object to be measured increases, the measurement accuracy of the object to be measured also improves. However, if an attempt is made to increase the light-collection efficiency using a condenser lens, the size of the condenser lens must be increased, which is not practical for spectroscopic measurement devices with limited installation space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a spectroscopic measurement device and an article inspection device that can increase the efficiency of focusing light on an article without increasing the size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention comprises a light source unit that irradiates light from a light source onto an object, and a light detection unit that uses a spectrometer to measure the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light irradiated from the light source unit and transmitted through the object, wherein the light source unit has a focusing member that focuses the light emitted from the light source, and the focusing member has a first opening into which the light emitted from the light source is incident, a second opening formed opposite the light detection unit and having an opening area smaller than that of the first opening, and a transmission path that connects the first opening and the second opening and transmits the light that has entered the first opening to the second opening, wherein the inner diameter of the transmission path becomes smaller from the first opening toward the second opening, and the wall surfaces of the transmission path are configured to be reflective surfaces.

[0008] With this configuration, the spectroscopic measurement device of the present invention has a focusing member that focuses light emitted from a light source, and the focusing member has a first opening into which the light emitted from the light source enters, a second opening formed opposite a light detection unit and having an opening area smaller than that of the first opening, and a transmission path that transmits light that has entered the first opening to the second opening, and the inner diameter of the transmission path becomes smaller as the transmission path moves from the first opening to the second opening, and the wall surface of the transmission path is made of a reflective surface.

[0009] Therefore, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the transmission path and irradiated onto the object through the second opening with a smaller opening area, so that the light entering through the first opening with a larger opening area can be efficiently focused toward the second opening.

[0010] This makes it possible to increase the energy per unit area of ​​the light irradiated onto the article through the second opening, thereby increasing the efficiency of light collection onto the article.

[0011] Furthermore, since the spectroscopic measuring device according to the present invention uses a focusing element that utilizes a reflective surface, when the energy per unit area of ​​the light irradiated onto the object is the same, the size of the focusing element can be made smaller than that of a focusing lens, and the output of the light irradiated from the light source unit can be reduced.

[0012] In the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention, the reflecting surface is preferably a smooth mirror surface.

[0013] With this configuration, the spectroscopic measurement device of the present invention has a reflective surface of the focusing member that is a smooth mirror surface, so that light that enters the first opening from the light guide can be specularly reflected by the reflective surface, and the light that enters the first opening from the light guide can be efficiently transmitted to the second opening.

[0014] In the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the light collecting member is configured so that its position relative to the light irradiation surface of the object can be adjusted.

[0015] With this configuration, the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention is configured so that the position of the light collecting member can be adjusted relative to the light irradiation surface of the object, and the position of the light collecting member can be changed to an optimal position depending on the type of object to be measured. Therefore, even if the type of object to be measured is changed, the light collecting efficiency on the object can be increased.

[0016] In the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the light collecting member is configured to be replaceable depending on the type of the article.

[0017] With this configuration, the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention is configured so that the light collecting member is replaceable depending on the type of article, and so when the object to be measured is changed to a different type of article, the dimensions of the first opening, the second opening, and the transmission path can be changed to a light collecting member that is optimal for the object depending on, for example, the shape, dimensions, etc. of the changed object. This makes it possible to increase the light collecting efficiency on the object even when the object to be measured is changed.

[0018] In the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the light collecting member has an opening cover that covers the second opening and transmits light that passes through the second opening.

[0019] With this configuration, the spectroscopic measurement device according to the present invention has a light collecting member that covers the second opening and has an opening cover that transmits light passing through the second opening, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the transmission path through the second opening from, for example, the article side, thereby preventing foreign matter from adhering to the reflective surface of the transmission path and causing a decrease in reflection efficiency.

[0020] An article inspection device according to the present invention includes the spectroscopic measurement device according to claim 1 or 2, and an inspection unit that inspects the quality of the article based on the spectroscopic characteristics measured by the spectroscope.

[0021] With this configuration, the article inspection device according to the present invention is equipped with a spectrometer that can increase the efficiency of focusing light on the article, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of inspection of the quality of the article by the inspection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spectroscopic measurement device and an article inspection device that can improve the efficiency of focusing light onto an article without increasing the size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article inspection device equipped with a spectroscopic measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the light collecting member of the spectroscopic measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an article inspection device equipped with a spectroscopic measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] In this embodiment, when an item to be inspected is transported individually along a transport path by a transport unit and reaches a predetermined inspection position, the item inspection device irradiates light onto the item, which is in a fixed position at the predetermined inspection position, and inspects the quality of the item based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that passes through the item upon irradiation with this light (also called irradiated light).

[0026] The items to be inspected are items that are relatively close in size to the area irradiated with light, and include items with an outer diameter φ of several mm to several tens of mm that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized items, as well as items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, and especially items that do not change shape during transportation.

[0027] Examples of such articles include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candy and chocolate. The following description will be given taking as an example an article to be inspected a tablet W that is circular in plan view, has a height (thickness) smaller than its diameter, and is roughly cylindrical in side view. Note that the article to be inspected is not limited to a circular shape in plan view, and articles of various shapes such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape can also be used.

[0028] The conveying unit may be, for example, a conveying unit configured to align and convey articles individually, such as a conveying belt, a conveying disk, or a conveying chute. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a conveying disk 11 (see FIG. 1) is used as the conveying unit.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, the conveying disk 11 is a conveying unit configured to suck tablets W into suction holes on its outer peripheral surface and convey them in the circumferential direction while rotating horizontally. In the conveying disk 11, the tablets W are conveyed with their upper and lower surfaces kept horizontal as their sides are sucked into the suction holes. In Fig. 1, only a portion of the outer peripheral side of the conveying disk 11 is shown.

[0030] The article inspection device 10 according to this embodiment includes a spectroscopic measurement device 1 and an inspection unit 2.

[0031] [Spectrometer] The spectroscopic measurement device 1 includes a light source unit 3 and a light detection unit 4. The spectroscopic measurement device 1 irradiates a tablet W to be measured with broadband light (visible light, near-infrared to terahertz light (terahertz waves)), and measures the spectral characteristics of the light that passes through the tablet W in response to the irradiation of this light.

[0032] (Light source part) The light source unit 3 is configured to irradiate broadband light onto the tablet W passing through a predetermined inspection position, i.e., onto the tablet W being conveyed (moving). In this embodiment, the light source unit 3 is arranged on the opposite side (lower side in this embodiment) from the light detection unit 4 across the conveyance path of the tablet W so as to irradiate light from one side (lower side in this embodiment) of a pair of circular end faces of the approximately cylindrical tablet W to the other side (upper side in this embodiment).

[0033] The conveying path of the tablet W is an area through which the tablet W passes during conveyance. The predetermined inspection position is a position on the conveying path of the tablet W where the light source unit 3 and the light detection unit 4 are arranged.

[0034] The light source unit 3 includes a light source 30 , a light guide 31 , and a light collecting member 32 .

[0035] The light source 30 is composed of a broadband light source, such as a halogen lamp, in order to irradiate broadband light onto the tablet W to be measured, and is provided at a predetermined position as a light source unit integrally assembled with a lamp holding means (not shown) and a case having heat dissipation fins, and is connected to a power supply unit (neither of which is shown).

[0036] Broadband light refers to light that includes visible light, near-infrared light, and terahertz light (terahertz waves). The wavelength of the irradiated light does not need to cover all of these; for example, a wavelength band of 400-2500 nm can easily pass through a measured object such as a tablet and is less likely to cause damage from ultraviolet rays, so the light may be limited to this wavelength band or the near-infrared band within this wavelength band. Furthermore, if the absorption spectrum of the component to be measured is known, only the wavelength band corresponding to the absorption spectrum may be used.

[0037] The light guide 31 is made up of a large number of glass optical fibers bundled together, and guides the light from the light source 30 to a light collecting member 32 that collects the light. The light emitted from the light source 30 is irradiated onto the tablet W via the light guide 31 and the light collecting member 32.

[0038] The light guide 31 has a tip surface 31a facing the light collecting member 32 at the end opposite to the light source 30 (upper side in this embodiment). Light emitted from the light source 30 is emitted from the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31 toward the light collecting member 32. In this embodiment, the tip surface 31a means the tip surface of the light guide in which glass optical fibers are bound in a bundle shape, and does not include the outer periphery that covers the tip surface.

[0039] The light collecting member 32 is disposed on the tip surface 31a side of the light guide 31, and more specifically, is disposed above the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31. The light collecting member 32 is a member that collects light emitted from the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31 onto the tablet W at a predetermined inspection position (the lower surface of the tablet W in the example of FIG. 1).

[0040] The light collecting member 32 has a main body block 33, a first opening 34, a second opening 35, a transmission path 36, and an opening cover 38.

[0041] The main body block 33 is placed on the upper surface of the base member 37 and is fixed to the base member 37 by a fastening means (not shown). The main body block 33 may be formed integrally with the base member 37.

[0042] The base member 37 has a through-hole 37a through which the light guide 31 passes, and its position relative to the light guide 31 is adjustable. In this embodiment, the position of the base member 37 is preferably adjusted so that the first opening 34 of the light collecting member 32 coincides with the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31 in the horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1) and the first opening 34 and the tip surface 31a face each other with a desired gap (including gap = 0) between them.

[0043] The first opening 34 is formed on the surface of the main body block 33 on the side of the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31 (the lower surface in this embodiment) so as to face the tip surface 31a. The diameter (inner diameter) of the first opening 34 is desirably at least equal to the diameter of the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31, and more desirably the same as the diameter of the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31. However, the diameter (inner diameter) of the first opening 34 may be smaller than the diameter of the tip surface 31a. Light emitted from the light source 30 is incident on the first opening 34.

[0044] The second opening 35 is formed on the surface of the main body block 33 facing the light detection unit 4 (the upper surface in this embodiment) so as to face the light detection unit 4. The diameter (inner diameter) of the second opening 35 is smaller than the diameter (inner diameter) of the first opening 34. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the second opening 35 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the first opening 34.

[0045] The transmission path 36 is formed inside the main body block 33 so as to connect the first opening 34 and the second opening 35, and transmits light that enters the first opening 34 from the light guide 31 to the second opening 35.

[0046] The transmission line 36 is formed in a shape, for example, a truncated cone shape, in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the first opening 34 to the second opening 35. The transmission line 36 is not limited to a truncated cone shape, and may have other shapes, such as a curved shape, a bullet-head shape, or a parabolic shape, as long as the inner diameter gradually decreases from the first opening 34 to the second opening 35.

[0047] The inner diameter of the transmission line 36 refers to the diameter of a cross section of the transmission line 36 that is perpendicular to the optical axis L of the light source 30, and in this embodiment refers to the diameter of the transmission line 36 in the horizontal direction.

[0048] The transmission path 36 has a wall surface 36a which is a reflective surface that reflects light and is made of a smooth mirror surface.

[0049] The opening cover 38 is provided on the surface of the main body block 33 facing the light detection unit 4 (the upper surface in this embodiment) so as to cover the second opening 35. The opening cover 38 is made of a transparent material such as glass that transmits light passing through the second opening 35. The opening cover 38 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0050] The opening cover 38 is fixed to the surface of the main body block 33 facing the light detection unit 4 by a sealing member 39. The sealing member 39 is fixed to the main body block 33 by a fastening means (not shown). An opening 39a is formed in the sealing member 39, and light that has passed through the opening cover 38 from the second opening 35 passes through the opening 39a. The opening 39a desirably has a diameter at least equal to or greater than the diameter of the second opening 35, and it is more preferable that the opening 39a be formed with the same shape and diameter as the second opening 35.

[0051] (Photodetector) The light detecting section 4 has an optical fiber 41 and a spectroscope 42. The light detecting section 4 is formed as a unit by supporting the optical fiber 41 and the spectroscope 42 on a base member 40.

[0052] The light detection unit 4 is positioned on the opposite side (in this embodiment, the upper side) from the light source unit 3 across the conveying path of the tablet W, so as to face the other (in this embodiment, the upper side) of a pair of circular end faces of the approximately cylindrical tablet W.

[0053] The optical fiber 41 is configured to receive transmitted light that has passed through the tablet W at a predetermined inspection position. The transmitted light that has passed through the tablet W enters the optical fiber 41 from an end face (hereinafter referred to as the "light receiving end") 41a of the incident surface of the optical fiber 41. The transmitted light that has entered the optical fiber 41 passes through the optical fiber 41 and reaches the spectroscope .

[0054] The spectroscope 42 performs spectrometry using, for example, a grating that utilizes differences in the diffraction angle depending on the wavelength of light. Specifically, the light that enters the spectroscope 42 is irradiated onto a grating (diffraction grating) and separated into individual wavelength components. The light separated into individual wavelength components is then detected for each wavelength component by a row of photodetector elements. The light intensity for each wavelength component is then measured. The grating is an optical element with multiple grooves engraved on its surface.

[0055] A tapered optical fiber with a large input diameter and a small output diameter can be used as the optical fiber 41. This allows the transmitted light to be incident on the spectroscope 42 more efficiently.

[0056] In this way, the light detection unit 4 receives the transmitted light irradiated from the light source unit 3 and transmitted through the tablet W using the optical fiber 41, and measures the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light received by the optical fiber 41 using the spectroscope 42.

[0057] [Inspection Department] The inspection unit 2 has a signal processing unit 2a that processes the spectroscopic characteristics obtained by the light detection unit 4 within a predetermined exposure time, and inspects the quality of the tablet W, i.e., determines whether the quality of the tablet W is good or bad, based on the results of the signal processing.

[0058] The signal processing unit 2a calculates the spectral characteristics of the absorbance absorbed by the tablet W from the spectral characteristics obtained by the light detection unit 4. Specifically, the absorbance A at wavelength λ is obtained by the formula A=-log10(I / Ii), which is the common logarithm of the ratio (transmittance) of the light intensity Ii of the incident light to the light intensity I of the transmitted light, and the transmitted amount detected when there is no tablet W at the predetermined inspection position can be calculated as the light intensity Ii of the incident light.

[0059] The inspection unit 2 compares the spectroscopic characteristics of absorbance of a non-defective tablet W obtained in advance (intensity of each wavelength of the spectrum (including when differentiated multiple times), waveform shape, information obtained by extracting the entire or partial region and creating a calibration curve, statistical information) with the spectroscopic characteristics of absorbance of the tablet W to be inspected that has been transported to a predetermined inspection position, and judges whether the quality of the tablet W is good or bad based on the magnitude of the difference. The inspection unit 2 outputs a sorting signal based on the pass / fail result of the judgment to a sorting unit (not shown) that sorts the tablets W into normal and defective products.

[0060] Specifically, for example, the quality of the tablet W is judged based on whether the difference amount for each wavelength determined by calculation using a calibration curve obtained by statistical calculation results (such as standard deviation) or statistical methods such as regression is within a predetermined range (a range determined based on the results of statistical calculations or the results of the calibration curve).The quality of the tablet W can also be judged based on whether the sum of the intensities of each wavelength is within a predetermined range.Furthermore, if the components of the tablet W are uniform, the quality of the tablet W may be judged based on whether there is an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold value set in advance in a region other than the specific wavelength.

[0061] [About the function of the light-collecting element] Next, the function of the light collecting member 32 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The thin solid line shown in Fig. 2 indicates the optical path of the light emitted from the tip end surface 31a of the light guide 31.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, light emitted from the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31 enters the transmission path 36 from the first opening 34 of the light collecting member 32, as shown by the thin solid line in FIG. 2. The light that enters the transmission path 36 from the first opening 34 is specularly reflected or repeatedly specularly reflected on the wall surface 36a of the transmission path 36, and is efficiently transmitted to the second opening 35, which has a smaller opening area than the first opening 34. In this way, in the transmission path 36, the light that enters the transmission path 36 is collected and transmitted to the second opening 35. The light transmitted to the second opening 35 passes through the opening cover 38 and is incident on the underside of the tablet W.

[0063] At this time, the light transmitted to the second opening 35 has higher energy per unit area than the light incident on the first opening 34. Therefore, the light incident on the lower surface of the tablet W has higher energy per unit area than the light emitted from the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31.

[0064] [About the adjustment part] The spectroscopic measurement device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the relative positions of the light collecting member 32, the light guide 31, and the light detecting section 4 can be adjusted.

[0065] 1, the position of the light collecting member 32 relative to the light guide 31 and the light detection unit 4 is adjusted by adjusting the position of the base member 37 by the adjustment unit 51. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the light collecting member 32 relative to the light irradiation surface (the lower surface in this embodiment) of the tablet W or the tip surface 31a of the light guide 31. The adjustment unit 51 is capable of adjusting the position of the base member 37 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L (the horizontal direction in this embodiment) and in a direction parallel to the optical axis L.

[0066] The position of the light guide 31 relative to the light collecting member 32 and the light detecting unit 4 is adjusted by adjusting the position of the light source 30 by the adjusting unit 52. The adjusting unit 52 is capable of adjusting the position of the light source 30 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L (the horizontal direction in this embodiment) and in a direction parallel to the optical axis L. The position of the light guide 31 is also adjusted in conjunction with the adjustment of the position of the light source 30.

[0067] The position of the light detection unit 4 is adjusted relative to the light collecting member 32 and the light guide 31 by adjusting the position of the base member 40 by the adjustment unit 53. The adjustment unit 53 is capable of adjusting the position of the base member 40 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L (the horizontal direction in this embodiment) and in a direction parallel to the optical axis L.

[0068] The adjustment units 51, 52, and 53 may be any mechanism that can automatically or manually adjust the position of each component, and may be, for example, an adjustment mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism or a ball screw mechanism, or a combination of these adjustment mechanisms. In the case of automatic adjustment, various actuators that drive the adjustment mechanism are further provided.

[0069] [Replacing the light collecting element] In the spectroscopic measurement device 1 of this embodiment, the light collecting member 32 is configured to be replaceable depending on the type of the article to be inspected (measured).

[0070] For example, when the object to be inspected (measured) is a tablet, the light collecting member 32 having the optimum dimensions can be selected according to the diameter, thickness, and shape of the tablet. For example, the light collecting member 32 has the diameter of the first opening 34, the diameter of the second opening 35, and the length of the transmission path 36 selected according to the type of tablet so that the diameter is optimum for the tablet to be inspected (measured).

[0071] [Action and effect] As described above, the spectroscopic measurement device of this embodiment has a focusing member 32 that focuses light emitted from the light source 30, and the focusing member 32 has a first opening 34 into which the light emitted from the light source 30 enters, a second opening 35 that is formed opposite the light detection unit 4 and has a smaller opening area than the first opening 34, and a transmission path 36 that transmits the light that has entered the first opening 34 to the second opening 35, and is configured so that the inner diameter of the transmission path 36 decreases as it moves from the first opening 34 to the second opening 35, and the wall surface 36a of the transmission path 36 is made of a reflective surface.

[0072] Therefore, in the spectroscopic measuring device of this embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 30 is reflected by the wall surface 36a of the transmission path 36 and irradiated onto the tablet W through the second opening 35 having a small opening area, so that the light entering through the first opening 34 having a large opening area can be efficiently focused toward the second opening 35.

[0073] As a result, the spectroscopic measurement device according to this embodiment can increase the energy per unit area of ​​the light irradiated onto the tablet W through the second opening 35, and can increase the efficiency of light collection onto the tablet W.

[0074] Furthermore, since the spectroscopic measuring device according to this embodiment uses a focusing element 32 that utilizes a reflective surface, when the energy per unit area of ​​the light irradiated onto the tablet W is the same, the size of the focusing element 32 can be made smaller than that of a focusing lens, and the output of the light irradiated from the light source unit 3 can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, in the spectroscopic measurement device of this embodiment, the reflective surface of the focusing member 32 is a smooth mirror surface, so that light entering the first opening 34 from the light guide 31 can be specularly reflected by the reflective surface, and the light entering the first opening 34 from the light guide 31 can be efficiently transmitted to the second opening 35.

[0076] Furthermore, the spectroscopic measurement device according to this embodiment is configured so that the position of the light collecting member 32 can be adjusted relative to the light irradiation surface of the tablet W, and therefore the position of the light collecting member 32 can be changed to an optimum position depending on the type of tablet W to be measured. Therefore, even if the type of tablet W to be measured is changed, the efficiency of collecting light on the tablet W can be improved.

[0077] Furthermore, in the spectroscopic measurement device according to this embodiment, the light collecting member 32 is configured to be replaceable depending on the type of article, so when the article to be measured is changed to a different type of article, the dimensions of the first opening 34, the second opening 35, and the transmission path 36 can be changed to a light collecting member 32 that is optimal for the article, depending on, for example, the shape and dimensions of the changed article. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency of collecting light on the article even when the article to be measured is changed.

[0078] Furthermore, in the spectroscopic measurement device according to this embodiment, the light collecting member 32 has an opening cover 38 that covers the second opening 35 and transmits light passing through the second opening 35, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the transmission path 36 through the second opening 35 from, for example, the tablet W side. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the reflective surface of the transmission path 36 and reducing the reflection efficiency.

[0079] The article inspection device according to this embodiment includes the spectroscopic measurement device 1 that can increase the efficiency of focusing light onto the tablet W, and therefore, the accuracy of inspection of the quality of the tablet W by the inspection unit 2 can be prevented from decreasing.

[0080] [Variations] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the light source unit 3 has a light guide 31 has been described, but the light source unit 3 may also be configured not to have a light guide 31, i.e., the light source unit 3 may be configured to consist of a light source 30 and a focusing member 32.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the light detection unit 4 has an optical fiber 41, but the light detection unit 4 may be configured not to have the optical fiber 41, or may be configured to be composed of, for example, an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer) that does not use an optical fiber. In this case, a light source capable of irradiating infrared light is used as the light source 30, and the tablet W is irradiated with the infrared light. In addition, the light source unit 3 includes an interferometer composed of a movable mirror, a fixed mirror, a beam splitter, etc.

[0082] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Spectrometer 2. Inspection Department 2a Signal processing section 3 Light source section 4. Light detection unit 10. Item inspection equipment 11 Transfer disk 30 light source 31 Light Guide 31a Tip surface 32 Light collecting element 33 Body Block 34 First Opening 35 Second Opening 36 Transmission Line 36a Wall 37 Base material 37a Through hole 38 Opening cover 39 Sealing member 39a aperture 40 Base member 41 Optical Fiber 41a Light receiving end 42 Spectrometer 51, 52, 53 Adjustment section L optical axis W Tablet (item)

Claims

1. a light source unit (3) that irradiates light from a light source (30) onto an article (W); a light detection unit (4) that measures the spectral characteristics of transmitted light irradiated from the light source unit and transmitted through the article using a spectroscope (42); The light source unit is a light collecting member (32) for collecting light emitted from the light source; The light collecting member is a first opening (34) into which light emitted from the light source is incident; a second opening (35) formed to face the light detection unit and having an opening area smaller than that of the first opening; a transmission path (36) that communicates the first opening and the second opening and transmits the light that has entered the first opening to the second opening; The transmission path is The spectroscopic measurement device, wherein an inner diameter of the transmission line decreases from the first opening to the second opening, and a wall surface (36a) of the transmission line is a reflective surface.

2. 2. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is a smooth mirror surface.

3. 3. The spectroscopic measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the light collecting member is configured so that the position thereof relative to the light irradiation surface of the object can be adjusted.

4. 3. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein the light collecting member is configured to be replaceable depending on the type of the object.

5. The spectrometer according to claim 3 , wherein the light collecting member is configured to be replaceable depending on the type of the article.

6. 3. The spectroscopic measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the light collecting member has an opening cover (38) that covers the second opening and transmits light passing through the second opening.

7. A spectroscopic measurement device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2; and an inspection unit (2) that inspects the quality of the article based on the spectroscopic characteristics measured by the spectrometer.

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